These Frequently Asked Questions are a supplement to the Owner's Manual and Safety Instructions. Please review the
Owner's Manual for safety warnings and precautions, and assembly, operating, inspection, maintenance, and cleaning
procedures.
For vehicles, select a winch with a rated load of at least 1.5 times greater than the gross vehicle weight
rating (“GVWR”) (usually located on the driver’s door sill). This ensures the winch has enough power to pull
your vehicle, even when faced with added resistance caused by an obstacle, steeper incline, or loose terrain.
- General Winch Rated Load Recommendations:
- Trucks/SUV’s: 9,500 to 12,000 lbs.
- Side by Sides: 4,500 to 5,500 lbs.
- ATV’s: 2,500 to 3,500 lbs.
For winches mounted on trailers, select a winch with a rated load of at least 2 times greater than the vehicle
weight. More power is necessary because the winch typically pulls on the outer layers of the drum when loading a
vehicle onto the trailer. Pulling on the outer layers decreases the maximum line pull of the winch.
A vehicle battery with a minimum rating of 650 CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) is recommended to power a winch on a SUV
or a truck. A battery with higher CCA should be used if you expect longer pulls or more frequent winch use for
any application.
Winches are rated by the maximum load that they can pull on the first layer of rope on the drum. For electric
winches, as the rope layer increases, the maximum line pull of the winch decreases. Please consult the
specifications table in the Rated Line Pull and Layer chart provided with the winch. Maintain a minimum of 5
wraps of rope on the drum when winching on the first layer.
You must regularly inspect your winch to ensure safety and optimal performance.
Before inspection, disconnect
the positive battery cable from the positive battery terminal on the vehicle.
Inspections should be performed when the winch is clean and free from dirt and debris.
- Before each use, inspect the general condition of the winch. Check for loose hardware, misalignment, or
binding of moving parts, cracked or broken parts, damaged electrical wiring, corroded or loose
terminals, and any other condition that may affect its safe operation.
- Examine the wire rope. Do not use the Winch if the Wire Rope is frayed, kinked, or damaged. Refer to the
manual for further guidance on rope inspection.
- To increase the flexibility of a steel rope, lightly oil the rope, wipe off any excess oil, and wind it
back on the drum.