TexJJ

Any opinions on the Black Rat manual winches? There seems to be a good opinion of them offered here.

http://www.expeditionswest.com/equip..._rat_winch.htm

JJ

HarrisonP

Never seen that before, but at almost $300 you could save up $200 more and get a nice electric winch

JGM

Go to Ace and get a 2-ton come-along for a fraction of the price.

tc

I would go at least 3 ton if it's your only extraction tool.

TexJJ

Oh I don't necessarily mind spending the $ for something to save my rear. I just saw that article speaking highly of the unit. The big issue for me is the weight of the winch and requisite bumper. (Although I am thinking of welding up a cross member to the front tow hook locations with a receiver hitch and foregoing the bumper.)

My concern is weight. Let's be honest the 3.0 ain't a power house and I will be going up some pretty steep terrrain in Mexico a long way from no where. (Rating 3 or so.) I am trying to minimize the weight in order to maximize mileage.

The trails I am hitting are mostly rocky so a winch may not be needed at all. I just like to be prepared. I was surprised because the article recommends a 1700lbs unit which seems AWFULLY small when you factor in the mire factor.

JJ

spindleshanks

I've been reading so much about Expeditions west lately in 4X4TO magazine, I really like their methods of travelling. They seem to be very self-reliant and fail-proof. I've gotta appreciate the concept of a hand winch because of it's simplicity and it's practicality for expedition travelling. I think it's neat, but in the same way as those little flashlights that you power by cranking the handle. Almost a novelty.

Tofer

ditto. HarborFreight sells them pretty cheap too. i carrry one with me all the time and it has saved my rear a couple of times.