Picking a Winch
ATV and UTV, or side by side, winches have any number of uses. Removing obstructions from the trail, pulling your friends out of a tight spot, or even pulling yourself out, there are any number of tasks a winch is great for. The only issue, then, is picking the right winch for your ATV or side by side. Beach BLVD Motorsports has prepared a few recommendations below for you to keep in mind when you’re looking for a winch. Visit our dealership today, in Jacksonville, FL near St. Augustine, and let our outstanding staff help you pick the right winch for your needs!
Weight Ratings
The weight rating of your winch is the first consideration you should take into account. It’s not very common to see a winch that’s ‘For ATVs’ or ‘For Side by Sides’ so you’ll have to use a little common sense to figure out what winch fits your vehicle. Typically a UTV should be equipped with a winch rated for at least 4000 lbs, however in the case of a smaller sport side by side you may be able to find something in a lower weight range that’s acceptable. If you’re in an extra heavy UTV with a crew cab and all the bells and whistles, look toward the top end of the spectrum.
ATVs are obviously lighter than side by sides, so they don’t need as much power in thier accessories. A winch rated for 1,500 lbs should be a good match for a small sport ATV with an engine under 300 ccs. Average sized ATVs, above 300 ccs, are best off equipped with a 2,500 lb winch, while the biggest, heftiest ATVs should probably sport at 3000 lb winch to be safe.
Ease of Installation
Regardless of which level of winch you choose, you’re going to need a mount plate to get your winch installed on your vehicle. Depending on the manufacturer of the winch, and the vehicle you’re mounting it on, the mount plate may or may not come standard, so if you have questions while you’re shopping, feel free to ask our staff what you’ll need to get your winch up and running.
Cables
There are two types of cables you’ll encounter when shopping for winches, wire, and synthetic. Wire cables are the old standard, and are known for their durability, however they have their share of drawbacks. Synthetic cables are the hot new thing in the industry, but these fancy materials have their own set of issues, so make sure choose the right type of cable based on the riding you’ll be doing. A wire cable is made out of braided steel, which can fray and become dangerous to handle, whereas synthetic cable is safe to handle, and typically stronger. Wire rope is better suited for frequent use, as the steel design resists abrasion and wear very effectively, where constant use can wear and degrade a synthetic rope. Wire rope is also heat resistant, where a synthetic rope can build up heat from use or other sources that can cause serious damage. Wire rope is also the cheaper and heavier option of the two, so if all you’re trying to do is pinch pennies, wire is your bet.
Be aware of your prospective winch’s weight rating, and it’s a pretty good idea to know the gross weight of your ATV or side by side as well. You’ll need a mount plate to hold the winch, and we’d definitely recommend coming into the dealership to get this taken care of. Otherwise, make sure you know what tasks you need to accomplish with your winch to help you choose between a wire cable or a wire rope. Take you time, don’t rush the decision, and above all let your friends at Beach BLVD Motorsports, serving Orange Park and St. Johns, Florida, talk you through our available options!