Black Rat Recovery Winch

XSaNiTy · November 20, 2001

i was thinking of getting this winch. i just wanted to know if any of you have ever heard of it or have opinions on it. its a bit of money for me but its much cheaper than an electric winch and should be able to free my truck out of the mud or whatever else i get stuck in. Heres the link:

Winch

the winch is down a bit on the page, notice the link to the review under the picture. oh yeah i would get the 3500lb version obviously and maybe the pulley block also (if needed).

thanks for any input

Frank S · November 21, 2001

I don't know man.

I think that if you got stuck,you'd probably break it the first time you use it.

The best way to accurately calculate the abount of pull you need for recovery is to multiply the weight of the vehicle by 1.5.

There are some situations that even an electric have trouble with half ton trucks.Trust me,I winched a 2000 F150 about 40 feet on Saturday and it took me 10 minutes to get him that far before I had to shut it down becaue the winch was running too hot(pics of the truck stuck available upon request)and I'm running an 8000 lb Warn on my truck.

chevy4x4trucks · November 21, 2001

YZR2K is right, if you are stuck you are going to want a strong winch. You'd be better off saving up the 800 bucks for a good warn 8 or 9 thousand pound winch. You'll be glad that you have it if you are ever really stuck. I don't think a 3500 pound winch would be able to free your truck if you are buried to the point where you can't get out.

I'd like to see pics of the stuck ford [email protected]

Suburbanite · November 26, 2001

Have you considered the "Qwik Winch"? Also a simple design & less expensive as well:

http://www.worktruck.com/New_Products/Qwik_Winch/

Or you could just build your own "Qwik Winch". I've been thinking about doing just that. JC Whitney sells a 3200-lb capacity marine winch for ~$76 & 50' lengths of cable from ~$19-$40.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/SearchCatContaine...equestid=100093

I'd probably use "super rope" instead of cable tho. Only problem with that, is that it's veeery expensive!

TxDoc · November 27, 2001

That 3500, even with a dual battery setup and a snatchblock is not going to be enough. You need at least an 8000 pound winch.

I have owned Warn winches since 1977 and still have the first one, a model 8274. From the ATV winches to the 12,000 on a Hummer. I have never had a failure. Look at the 9500 series. They make a hidden winch mounting kit for the newer 1/2-ton trucks.

Stick with a Warn, Ramsey, SuperWinch and you'll be okay. They have been around and are proven designs. Get a good snatchblock, thick treesaver to attach your hook or block to and remember that any electric winch is for intermittent use. About the only way to damage it is to over heat it and that is usually done when the winch speed is very slow. When the motor is hot, it is not as efficient. If the motor is too hot to hold your hand to it, then let it cool a little.

CapnDean · November 30, 2001

On the winch front:

I use a Warn 5000 Lb winch to operate a davit. In my charter fishing business I hoist four 14' fiberglass skiffs with 15hp outboards on and off of my mothership (www.sanddollarcharters.com).

Warn is by far the most dependable and trouble free winch. I realize that in my operation I am using their product way out of it's intended design....because I am dead lifting roughly 800 lbs. But it handles it no sweat. I did use a warn 2500# winch for 2 years and upgraded to the 5000 for speed.

If you're not a died in the wool deer hunter or someone who really relies on a winch...getcha a good come-a-long or a boat trailer winch. With a snatch-block, a 9000 boat trailer winch (2speed) will do a surprising job on a 1/2 ton truck!