Welp...getting the wheels and tires soon.... looking to compliment with a bumper. I am contemplating on whether to get a bumper with a winch slot or light mounts. Do I really need a winch for occasional mild wheeling (ie Trabuco)? I don't think Im going to ever wheel alone...

...or should I get one with the winch slot so just in case I want one in the future I can? I would hate to have a big hole there though....I also don't want to be carrying around the added 100lbs when I don't need to be....

 

i just bought my bumper as well. i wheel in colorado and in the summer there isnt really a lot of mud and water so i didnt think i would need a winch. well ive already been stuck so im glad i got the winch bumper. not only can i get outta deep snow and mud when im alone, but ppl are gonna be paying for your beers when you gotta pull them out! basically, i would def. buy one that supports a winch

 

need? no. but, if you can afford one, it's a nice piece of equipment to have. also, so long as i have had a winch on my JK, i think i have only used it twice to help get me out of a bind - just something to think about.

 

The first time you NEED it; it's worth every penny you paid.

 

I was in the same situation some months ago. I bought a Superwinch as I am not a fan of the Warns. Personal reasons! Since we had a lot of snow, ice covered roads this winter and then spring flooding and then tornados, I have used this Superwinch in excess of 30 hard pulls and am extremely happy with it. Had to pull trees out of the way so the rescue squads could get into a housing area after a tornado. During the snow and ice, it was pulls out of the ditches as we have hills that get ice coved and snow packed. The hardest pull was for a pickup that went into a flooded creek and a farmer with his tracotr tried to pull it out, He got stuck too so had to pull both out. Wish I had video of that recovery as it was awesome. Seemed like everyone knew I had a winch and it has gotten paid for by people demanding I take something for helping them out. Guess I got some cash for other goodies!

 

i will never go without one again. very nice peace of mind because sometimes stuff happens man. i've never heard anyone say man, i wish i didn't have this winch up here

 

Yeah, I think I've decided to at least get the winch mount bumper so I can have the option of putting one in later.

 

You don't have to have it, but if you can afford it I'd go for it.


Remember, a winch can be used for more than recovery. Its worth it.

 

Winch or no winch is a big debate. That is why I am looking at the Rampage Recovery Bumper that comes with the winch mount, but you do not have to install it right away....

 

My winch saved me and a hummer when we got stuck in deep snow in Big Bear. We were in big trouble. It took everything we had, a hi-lift jack, two 20' straps and 125' of line to reach a tree. It still took 6 hours to get out but we made it. I learned a lesson that day, stay away from deep snow.