The OP asked about a cheap option for a 2 door for when he is hunting. You can buy a nice come-along for probably 40 bucks and a decent snatch block for another ten. They all have a shear pin of some kind so I wouldnt call them dangerous. With a snatch block you are talking a working load of like 2000lbs or so for a two door and they are rated for a 5-ton working load if you buy a decent $40 one. My come-along is actually rated for a higher working load then my Warn winch. Plus they are nice for pulling sideways, or dragging logs out of the way etc. If he is even questioning if he needs a winch in the first place I would at least consider the cheap option of a hand winch. I carry a Warn Zeon 10s on my rig and I still carry along a hand winch and use it quite a bit still. The only downside to it is you have to use more then your finger muscles to use it, and you might need to read the directions before using.

 

Youll still need a few other itemsto go with the winch. There are lots of recovery kits you can buy that come with most of what you need. I have the Smittybilt one, comes with gloves (good for about one use), a choker chain, snatch block, 3/4" Clevis, tree saver and a bag to put it all in. Warn, ARB and a bunch of others make similar kits.

As for what brand I use an old Warn, lots of guys in my club use the Smittys, Warn and Superwinch. Heard a lot of hype about engo.

Make sure you watch some You tube vids on how to safely use the gear before you end up destroying your equipment, vehicle, or self.

Rob

 

its a matter of safety i have seen winch ,'hoist and comealong cables break .'there is usually no warning at all . i agree they are handy but no way would i use one if i could do better . if that was the only option maybe . also for 40 bucks i can imagine where its made and what kind of quality control goes into it

 

Ive been in the position to where I've had to use come alongs to get myself out of snow drifts that were couple feet in depth. Early spring and I got in way too deep.. the snow softened up at mid day and I found myself sunk almost to the mirrors. Took 11hrs and broke three come alongs before I got back to the road. First thing I did, before lift or even changing out the street tires on my jeep, I bought a warn 9.5ti. I never wanna be in that position again, ever! I do a lot of fishing and love to get to secluded high mountain lakes where only other setup rigs dare to venture, so a good winch with reliability is the only way to go. I've used mine several times and love it.

 

Im kind of confused by what you are trying to say here. Are you trying to say that the cable that is rated for 5 tons attached to a come-along is weaker then a 5 ton cable attached to a winch? Are you suggesting that because a come-along is only $40 bucks that it is a cheap piece of junk that is not worth using and that a $289 winch is a quality product that you would trust more? I would venture to say that most every OTR trucker has a come-along and has used it in multiple ways for years reliably. I would also say that for $100 bucks or less you could get yourself a nice come-along, and a recovery kit that could get you out of most anything with a bit of work. If you carry a few extra shear pins you can use that item for years with just a bit of oiling for maintenance.

I am not saying a quality winch is something most all of us wouldn't like to have. I am however saying that as a very inexpensive alternative for someone who doesnt really think they need a winch in the first place and has gotten along so far without one; that a hand winch on a light 2 door rig would be a possible option to consider.

 

If he rarely uses it, synthetic rope will save him on gas, waaay lighter. The cable is freaking heavy and will also cause his suspension to droop. An xrc with snthetic rope will put you back400-500, a warn of the same load and entry level will cost you $1200-1500. Warn is good if you actually put it to use regularly. This guy like alot of us dont need the best for using it once in a blue moon.

 

no sir what i am sayin is that a come along is better than nothing , but thats it . i dont care if its rated for twenty tons , you have to position yourself in the line of fire to operate it and in my book thats not the safest thing to do . not talkin about shear pins or whether or not its junk . and depending on how bad you are stuck , you could exert alot more than the weight of the vehicle . if the op wants a comealong im sure thats whT he will get . i wasnt tryin to start a pissin contest just stating my opinion and what i have seen

 

Just pulled the cable off mine and switched to synthetic. The old steel cable was 125' x 5/16 and only weighd about 20 pounds, thats not that heavy and I dont think it should be a factor in the decision on which type to use. My main reason for switching is that I have been using it more often and wanted the additional safety a synthetic line affords.I would think a steel line would be better for a winch thats rarely used as they are pretty much immune to dry rot and mold.

 

Well my xrc weighs a total of 64lbs, the same version with the cable weighs 94lbs. So 30 lbs isnt that much but it all adds up. Youre right, safety should also be the main reason. Even if a synthetic rope is rarely used, an accident can happen with the first time using it. As for mold and dry rot, i have winch cover that i use during the winter and rainy conditions to keep dry and protected.

 

Entry level Warns are no where close to 1500$ my 12000lb powerplant was 1299$ after rebate, the air compressor has saved my but and other guys more times than the winch. I know it doesnt fall into the cheap catagory but when you figure in the price of both items I thought it was a decent value the air compressor has a better cfm than other compressors that claim to be high out put. Sorry for rambling on with more info than was asked for.