[MJY1965]

I’m in the process of going through my tools and gear that were in my RZR band transferring to my new General. With the extra cargo space, it might be time to upgrade some recovery gear. I don’t ride in places I’m likely to get stuck, but wouldn’t head out without emergency gear.

I’m thinking a strap(length?), soft shackles, tree saver, maybe a snatch block.

Anything else specifically for recovery? I’d prefer to avoid Chinese crap and don’t mind paying for products made in USA.

 

[rtr688]

I always have a snatch block, a 6ft or so "tree saver" strap, shackles, and a longer 20ft strap that deals with shock loading better.

For the tow rig or rock crawling with heavier rigs I'll spend more money on gear.. for how light these things are, a 10,000# rating is cheap and easy to come by. Was going to spend more on Rhino USA, but read they're also made overseas.

I've used all of my "TGL, Rugcel, Keeper" type stuff and does fine. Almost always using it for others l, since I'm not out to get stuck or break stuff!

 

[SEMO XP1000]

There are a lot of companies with good gear. I bought mine from Custom Splice.

Custom Splice | Recovery Gear Made For You

We carry the Best Synthetic Winch Rope, Extension, and Winch Hardware / Accessories at Custom Splice. Custom made solutions from AmSteel Blue to Diamond recovery ropes.

customsplice.com

40' recovery rope
soft shackles
recovery ring/soft shackle pulley
tree strap

My riding buddies all have gear too.

 

[MJY1965]

Has anyone upgraded their winch rope and hook? The OEM doesn't look like anything special and seems like it could be the weak link in an emergency recovery situation.

 

[KineKilla]

Synthetic Winch Lines & Winch Ropes

Synthetic Winch Lines and Ropes

www.masterpull.com

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[Biffdotorg]

Has anyone upgraded their winch rope and hook? The OEM doesn't look like anything special and seems like it could be the weak link in an emergency recovery situation.

If you are not plowing, the stock stuff works just fine for winching once in a great while. After breaking cheap synthetics 3-4 times last winter plowing, I bought a 65' Amsteel Blue from Motoalliance.

We have had plenty of snow this year, so lots of weekly plowing. I made it to mid May, before finally breaking it yesterday. Way better synthetic rope than stock or cheap ones off amazon. So I'm happy with it's perforamance.

 

[Johnny 7]

If you are not plowing, the stock stuff works just fine for winching once in a great while. After breaking cheap synthetics 3-4 times last winter plowing, I bought a 65' Amsteel Blue from Motoalliance.

We have had plenty of snow this year, so lots of weekly plowing. I made it to mid May, before finally breaking it yesterday. Way better synthetic rope than stock or cheap ones off amazon. So I'm happy with it's perforamance.

Mid March? I hope it isn't mid May and we are still getting blasted with snow up North.

 

[Biffdotorg]

Mid March? I hope it isn't mid May and we are still getting blasted with snow up North.

yes sir, Mid March

 

[Johnny 7]

yes sir, Mid March

No harm, no foul.

 

[lueck89]

If you are not plowing, the stock stuff works just fine for winching once in a great while. After breaking cheap synthetics 3-4 times last winter plowing, I bought a 65' Amsteel Blue from Motoalliance.

We have had plenty of snow this year, so lots of weekly plowing. I made it to mid May, before finally breaking it yesterday. Way better synthetic rope than stock or cheap ones off amazon. So I'm happy with it's perforamance.

What fair lead do you have on your winch?

I ask only because I had problems breaking the winch line on my 20 deluxe with the crappy rollers. I probably broke the winch line a dozen times. But my 22 xp with the rounded aluminum non roller fair lead I have yet to break the polaris line and that's now 2 winters of plowing on it...

Maybe it's not the line, and it's your fair lead? I'm not saying the polaris line is good, but it's not as bad as I thought it was either...

Any little nick in the fair lead will eat that rope up really fast, make sure there's no nicks. I know my 20 deluxe had a few nicks because it didn't have the rubber stopper before the hook, my 22 xp has the rubber stopper to prevent beating the fair lead up....

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[lueck89]

Synthetic Winch Lines & Winch Ropes

Synthetic Winch Lines and Ropes

www.masterpull.com

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This stuff is insane! Extremely tough! Highly recommend!

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[Polaris1985]

Winch, plow, cable and side-by-side manufacturers all recommend using roller fairleads on wire cable, and hawse fairleads on synthetic cables. Especially when running a snow plow, and many manufacturers also recommend using a plow strap instead of any cable at all, when plowing.

Not that I’ve ever really needed it (nor do I hope to), but I like to keep a collapsible shovel in my recovery gear as well as a hatchet and a machete.

 

[Biffdotorg]

What fair lead do you have on your winch?

I ask only because I had problems breaking the winch line on my 20 deluxe with the crappy rollers. I probably broke the winch line a dozen times. But my 22 xp with the rounded aluminum non roller fair lead I have yet to break the polaris line and that's now 2 winters of plowing on it...

When I went to Synthetic on my first SXS, i put the recommended hawse fairlead in and had good luck. But I was just using it as a normal winch, and it really didn't matter. When I went from the stock steel rope to synthetic on the General, i swapped the roller out for the hawse fairlead again.

When I added the plow, MotoAlliance reommended either a strap, Amsteel Blue and the single roller. The one used to guide the rope down the center with a pully style roller. At that point, I put my other roller back on as it had no dings or burrs in in. I could go back to the hawse fairlead. But honestly, I think the thing that hurt it the most, is that tree saver wrap on the first 3-4 feet. Once I took that crap off, it was not only easier to spool back up without binding, but the rope held up better.

We will see, I only have a month of plowing left hopefully. We have another big storm due this Friday. March has been a crazy lion for us this year.

 

[lueck89]

March has been a crazy lion for us this year.

March has been pretty crazy here in WI too. We've had 3-4 good dampers and plenty of wind to make some nice drifts lol. I could only imagine how much we'd have if it wouldn't snow 4-6" then get to 45* 3 days later. We would've actually had a nice winter if it wasn't for the melting snow. Most likely would have 3' + of snow on the ground in the southern half of WI...

When I change my rope I'll be going to the master pull stuff. I put that on my 20 deluxe and the stuff is amazing

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[KineKilla]

Plowing is hard on rope. My recommendation is to take your expensive rope off and put a cheap-o on for plowing.

Some use a winch strap (think seatbelt) in place of a rope. I could see that working as well.

Problem is that plowing is not normal winching. You run that same 12" of rope up and down, in and out repeatedly. It just plain wears things out.

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[Polaris1985]

Been a super-mild winter here, and even last winter was too. In the past 25+ years, every time I’ve got a new ATV or UTV with a plow set-up, I haven’t had to use it. Got my KFI plow and winch right when I bought my General, the week after Thanksgiving in 2021. Had one 4” snow in January of 2022, and barely a dusting s a couple times since then. Normally, we’d have a couple feet of snow, just in March. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining at all. If I have to buy a new plow every couple years just to ward off snow storms, then so be it? I’m all in! 🤣

 

[Biffdotorg]

Plowing is hard on rope. My recommendation is to take your expensive rope off and put a cheap-o on for plowing.

Some use a winch strap (think seatbelt) in place of a rope. I could see that working as well.

The strap sounds like the best option of all of them. The only issue is, I use my winch as much or more in the winter than I do in the summer. Usually pulling folks out of the snow. So having the strap on is a pain in the ass, as you can't switch it quickly. It's a seasonal thing. Then I lose the use of my winch for anything other than plowing, which cannot happen. So a cheap rope or strap is not an option.

(Did I just say the strap on is a pain in the ass?) I need to stop.

 

[Buelligan666]

The strap sounds like the best option of all of them. The only issue is, I use my winch as much or more in the winter than I do in the summer. Usually pulling folks out of the snow. So having the strap on is a pain in the ass, as you can't switch it quickly. It's a seasonal thing. Then I use the use of my winch for anything other than plowing, which cannot happen. So a cheap rope or strap is not an option.

(Did I just say the strap on is a pain in the ass?) I need to stop.

I use a short boat winch strap. You just need enough to get a couple wraps around the drum. I spool out that much winch line. Tape the strap to it and wind it in. I don't unspool the line. Works good. Easy to add and remove.

 

[lueck89]

Plowing is hard on rope. My recommendation is to take your expensive rope off and put a cheap-o on for plowing.

Some use a winch strap (think seatbelt) in place of a rope. I could see that working as well.

Problem is that plowing is not normal winching. You run that same 12" of rope up and down, in and out repeatedly. It just plain wears things out.

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The problem with a strap is it really limits how much you can get on a spool. You'll only get maybe 10-15'. I don't like that I can't use my full 50' of rope. I'll agree the strap doesn't break as I've tried it. But if I were to need length I'd be screwed. Not to mention changing between rope/strap is an absolute nightmare... it's really not nice trying to get to that spool hole/cap screw...

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[Biffdotorg]

I use a short boat winch strap. You just need enough to get a couple wraps around the drum. I spool out that much winch line. Tape the strap to it and wind it in. I don't unspool the line. Works good. Easy to add and remove.

Since mine just broke, and the loop is off, I may just try this, as I have a boat winch strap on my work bench from a boat trailer winch I replaced. It will be a good test for the rest of the winter. My question is, when I go back to using it as a regular winch, I won't have my loop for the hook, as that will not roll up into the winch. In the summer, do you just leave it with no hook on the end? Or are you just tying it on for the non winching season?