Is a 12k winch overkill?

Chances are you already know this with prior winch experience.

Doing a 1 to 1 is fine. 3 to 1 is better and so on for the amount of pulling capable.



The winches I have used at work are 30K. The vehicles weigh minimum 45k. Meaning you have to use at least a 2 to 1 ( if you can use a 3 to 1) for self recovery.

Have also used a 12k winch on a roughly equivalent weighted vehicle. 3 to 1 it is.

Edit: keep in mind the full load of the winch is with the line fully out. Each wrap reduces the pulling power by a %. Can't remember off the top of my head what it is per wrap but keep that in mind. Also lays more capability to a 3 to 1.

 

A 180 Amp Denso Alternator might not be a bad idea.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/factory-denso-180-amp-alternator-upgrade.598940/

 

Using a snatch block doubles the winch capacity according to my Smittybilt X20 instruction booklet. So that’s 20k pulling power on a 7k truck..I think you’ll be fine. A single line had no problem pulling mine up steep and technical terrain.

 

I'll also give a thumbs up to Warn, and as also said a quality kinetic rope is handy to have in your recovery bag. Also, take a look at the 7P recovery ring.

 

You have to consider the heaviest vehicle in your group when getting a winch. A fully loaded truck stuck in the mud takes a lot of pulling power to get out

 

This is a great post. It's important to note the amount of loss in power from each wrap of winch line is significant. In the link from warn below they show a 15% loss per wrap. A 8k winch fully wrapped has only 5200 pounds of force. It's also a great explanation of why.

https://www.warn.com/warn-winch-performance-specifications-pulling-capacity-by-layer

 

I wouldn't go less than a 10k winch , those are my plans anyways, and add some snatch blocks like mentioned up above.

 

Good info. Also, people need to remember to get the correct size snatch blocks, both for their cable size, as well as the rating on the winch and the max # of blocks they plan to rig up.
Here is a short, but helpful article:

https://offroadrecoveryguide.com/choose-right-snatch-block-winch/

 

You can never have too much winch but you won’t find a good one at your price point. Recovery is too important to skimp on.

 

I have the x bull 13k and it works awesome

 

That's what me tinks!

 

Bingo for some reason I thought it was 12% but did not want to throw out a number that wasn't accurate. Good thing too because I was wrong

 

the smittybilt x20 10k and 12k winch are the same exact winch from a physical standpoint. The only difference is the gearing. So the 12k winch will fit since all these bumpers on the market are designed around a 9.5k/10k winch. If my 9.5 winch shits the bed I'll make the jump to a 12. The winch won't have to work as hard and it's less draw on the electrical system.

I had this debate with someone one time and all things equal, comparing the X20 10k to 12k the difference was 50ish amps in draw during the pulls being compared.

 

I run the X20 12k. Used it a couple times over the winter to pull fullsize vehicles out of ditches. No complaints.

There's a certain person on this forum that winches more than he drives and he runs a smittybilt winch with no problems.

 

If you got the budget for it (and you can verify with another member that it fits) then go for it. But a smaller, cheaper winch with a good pulley block or ring will do just as well IMO

 

Nice, I'm guessing you have used it. Is it really slow or does it have a decent amount of power? happen to know the weight of it?