Bumper/winch vs. lockers for 'froading

I would do rear locker first. Assuming this is a DD, I don't get lugging around all the weight of a winch for something that might get used once a year at best. Add in the maintenance headache, and I still think a proper come-along makes more sense in the long run for winching.

I do wish someone would design a front bumper with a quick detach setup for a conventional winch though, as a winch cradle/hitch setup takes up too much bed space to store the winch.

The locker is much more convenient to use (don't even have to get your shoes muddy), and you would use it way more than a winch.

 

Yeah, lockers for discovery-winch for recovery!

Still going back and worth over line type... Probably (hopefully) wouldn't get a lot of use. But weight, initial cost and durability are all important.

So did that 10k winch fit without cutting the center brace? I am looking at a 10k warn too. What is yours mounted on?

 

You're "never" without an anchor if you have a shovel and a spare! But, yes point taken about terrain and solo winching.
And I think every winch should be required to include a tree strap, regardless. But I digress.
The versatility of a winch is a strong argument over lockers.

 

No lies detected.

 

I did "a little" cutting and welding...


There are several folks who have done winch mounts while keeping their stock bumpers, but I figured I'd go whole hog and just add the bumper too. Adds approach clearance, and of course instagram badassery points.

If you want to keep the stock bumper, search around - people have done it, you'll likely need to have something fabricated.

 

Nice work @jbrandt! We will be requiring regular progress updates.
Don't forget to photo-show your work for full credit!

I will be ditching my stock bumper.
Just wondering how the fit was for a 'larger' winch.
But it's moot since I most likely won't be using your custom fab bumper!

 

I'll give you my .02 cents as someone who started with 31's and progressed to linked, tons, 42's, full hydro etc.


Go armor and winch first, a winch and good armor will make your care level go down a bit, lockers definitely help but they will put you in worse situations because you can get farther now and get stuck worse.

 

Definitely good points. You can't just get the winch and think everything will be okay. i think a decent kit of recovery gear should be included (tow strap, shovel, all that stuff) winch or not. It's amazing what you can do with just a shovel when motivated enough.

That deadman anchor is pretty cool though, can be used as a tree saver, or bury it in the sand for a land anchor, too.

 

A winch is more versatile then just getting unstuck, I've used mine more as a tool at work and hobbies than getting myself or others unstuck.

 

I already carry the cheap stuff for recovery; gloves, shovel, axe, chainsaw, rope/tie-downs, 6' pry bar.

I will have to account for a winch 'starter pack' when the time comes.
1 tow strap
1 snatch strap
2 tree savers
2 snatch blocks
4 shackles

 

I went with a winch and US Offroad mount, together ~ 120 lbs. I could do the prep and installation myself. Locker (electric or air), looks like more time and effort.

 

You forgot $$$

Nice set up, btw.

 

A locker is only "convenient" if it actually helps you get recovered. People still get stuck all the time with dual lockers, 37s, etc...

A winch is a safety device more than anything. I'll take muddy feet and a 15 minute recovery over clicking away for 4 hours any day of the week.

Winches, the good ones anyways, require very little maintenance. If you're worried about that, I have to wonder how well your truck runs.

There have been plenty of threads on using come-alongs for "recovery" and the general consensus is that it takes a comically long time to recover, and shouldn't be relied upon. Maybe as a supplement to a winch, but not as the primary.