Do I need a winch?

I have been debating if I should invest in a winch for my Tacoma. I wheel the northeast 4-5 times a year and mud and rock is the norm. I don't wheel crazy trails but as most know a trail is unpredictable. I also travel severe winter conditions very often, because I must get to work at any cost due to my line of work. I have yet to get stuck but never say never. I have "TREDS" traction ramps mounted in the bed as a just in case. I don't want a heavy aftermarket winch bumper so I would do a simple Westin Max winch mount with bull bar that is designed for a winch as large as 12,000lbs. I am at a budget of less than $1000. Superwinch LP8500 or ENGO E9000, probably a synthetic ropeline for weight saving, and the Westin setup would total around $850 shipped. I would install everything myself. Just looking for opinions. Its something I would keep (winch) even if I sold the truck in the future. Should I pull the trigger?

 

You might never need a winch, but when you do need to use it you'll be glad you have it.

I say go for it.

 

Any reason you don't need a winch? I have one and really have no reason to have one, just wanted one. Figure its better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

 

All very good points. Still not sure. $1000 is quite a bit of change to hang in front of my truck.

 

You could always go with a cheaper winch option. You dont need the 1k warn winch from the sound of it. A smittybuilt winch for 300-400 bucks would serve as a good "o shit" type investment.

Im getting a winch sort of for the same reason as you...more for snow and crappy weather situations than on the trail. THough im just going for the warn m8000-s but i did strongly consider the cheaper options too

 

After it gets you unstuck the first time you really need it you will think it was money well spent. It sure offers a lot of peace of mind when you're driving in muddy/snowy conditions. Yeah, it's a lot of money but keep an eye on craigslist, sometimes a decent Warn M8000 shows up for a good price.

 

I would say go for it, I have one on my FJ and Tacoma and have used it only a couple time to pull myself out of the situation but have used it countless time to save other people. The times it saved me is still cheaper than if a tow truck had to get back to me and pull me out, or time saved if I had to call around to find a friend available to get to me. The set up on the tacoma is the US offroad and smity 12000LB and synthetic rope with a total cost at around $1000.

 

Well I pulled the trigger today. With Thanksgiving sales I picked up a TMaxx EW8500 with 92' synthetic rope shipped for $350! Also ordered the Westin max winch mounting plate ( rated at 16,000lbs.)with tow hooks for under $300 shipped. Not sure if I should do the front loop that bolts up.

 

Some pictures.

 

That looks like a pretty nice set up. I think it will fit your needs well. Post some pics when it's on!

 

My main justification for having a winch is my tree service. I rig trees I'm dropping so they don't fall on peoples' houses and such. That said, I didn't need to wire front and rear for my work.

My solution was to not do a bumper. I did the CBI front hitch then the Warn quick connect front and rear. I run an 8k winch on an external carrier so it can be used front or rear (or the Ram 3500 - where it lived for a couple years).

This way I have a stock look (until a deer/ insurance gets me a plate bumper) and I'm very versitile. I don't need to even carry the winch daily driving, and can carry it in the bed on the trail.

Very few people need one, but most who have one find a use for it...

 

no

 

Installed the Weston Max winch tray last evening. Cadmium plated grade 8 hardware and for frame supports. Should handle winch very easily. Waiting o bull bar, not sure how it will look.

 

One more

 

So I installed the loop on the mount. What do you guys think?

 

Finished. Also installed a security bolt against theft.

 

I really like this setup. What westin winch tray is this? They have several. Also, how solid is the winch/tray?