Americas Factory Winch- yay or nay?

[SkiBum1]

I didn’t get the factory winch. The only reason, was the cost to be honest. It just seems like a heck of a lot of money. I thought I would get one in the aftermarket. However, I am now thinking maybe I need to get the factory winch so it is easily placed behind the bumper with the cool bracket in the bumper for the cable. All of the other winches for keeps and stuff seem to be fit into that space Ineos created. I am going to get a winch for sure.
Last winter I bottomed out a Toyota landcruiser in Wyoming in a snow bank in the middle of a snowstorm. I was a pain in the ass and that was a big rig! I do need a winch before winter, so if something doesn’t come a lot soon I may be back at the dealer.

 

[Ragman]

Assuming the Grenadier uses the Red Winch Nomad 12,000 pounder the winch itself is over $2,200 if you were to buy it. You are right, they are very expensive but not really that expensive compared to other top options, the Warn Zeon 12 with synthetic cable is around $1,800. You can certainly find cheaper winches but then factor in the cost of a bumper, wiring, springs, etc and I might not be that much more from the factory.

What part of Chicago are you in?

 

[Eyedogtor]

First question, do you need a winch? For me, after getting stuck in a bad situation in Maine years ago with my Jeep (and without a winch), I promised I would never have an off-road vehicle without a winch again. period.

As for the Factory option? It's an awesome unit by RED, all prewired and integrated in the bumper, and from the manufacturer.

You're paying a premium of about $2k give or take maybe - but for me, my stage of life, my situation, it's a no brainer.

 

[74CampySuperRecord]

I opted for the factory Red winch.

What kit do I need to make it useful?

I have had some experience with winching and recovery in Arizona desert. I can assure you, I was doing it wrong. It was mostly out of necessity. Zero skill.

Take a course before I invest?

 

[Zimm]

I opted for the factory Red winch.

What kit do I need to make it useful?

I have had some experience with winching and recovery in Arizona desert. I can assure you, I was doing it wrong. It was mostly out of necessity. Zero skill.

Take a course before I invest?

I think you're answering your own question. Unfortunately I'm unfamiliar with west coast trainers. Fly out to an OEX facility is the only advise I have. https://www.overlandexperts.com/

 

[angstorms]

To extend the factory winch reach, I I carry a Yankum Winch line extension 7/16 50'. To link the two lines I have a double loop soft shackles and Safe Xtract X-lock SX-2000H that I used depending on what I doing. You will also want some some Pulley rings and few more soft shackles for your recovery kit.

Note Yankum Winch line extension in 7/16 also come in 75' and 100' lengths beyond the 50' footer.

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