Winches and Off-Road Recovery Gear
Getting stuck is part of going off-road. The right recovery gear gets you out safely.
- Winches and winch mounts. A common rule of thumb is a winch rated for at least 1.5 times your vehicle's gross weight.
- Synthetic winch rope and cable, plus winch accessories like hook mounts, fairleads and shackle blocks from Factor 55.
- Recovery straps and traction gear, and shackles and tow hooks rated for recovery loads.
Always use rated gear, check working load limits, and never attach a recovery strap to a tow ball.
Recovery Gear FAQ
What size winch do I need?
Multiply your vehicle's gross vehicle weight by 1.5. A 6,500 pound truck needs a winch rated around 10,000 pounds; a loaded three-quarter-ton is better with 12,000 pounds. More capacity is never a problem; too little is.
Synthetic rope or steel cable?
Synthetic rope is lighter, floats, does not kink and is safer if it breaks. Steel cable is cheaper and more abrasion-resistant on rocks but stores more energy under load. Most new winches ship with synthetic rope.
What is the difference between a recovery strap and a tow strap?
A recovery (kinetic) strap stretches to build momentum and pull a stuck vehicle free. A tow strap does not stretch and is for towing on flat ground only. Never use a tow strap for a snatch recovery.
Soft shackle or D-ring?
Soft shackles are lighter, safer if they fail and will not scratch bumpers. Steel D-rings are tougher around sharp edges. Carry both; check that whatever you use is rated above the strap's working load.
Do I need a winch mount or a winch bumper?
A winch needs a mount rated for the pull. Winch mount plates bolt to the frame behind the factory bumper on many trucks; a winch-ready replacement bumper holds the winch and adds protection. Bull bars and grille guards are not winch mounts.
What should be in a basic recovery kit?
A kinetic recovery strap, two rated shackles, gloves, a tree saver, a winch line damper and a set of traction boards cover most situations. Add a tire repair kit and a portable air compressor for trail use.
How does shipping work on recovery gear?
Orders of $300 or more ship free to the lower 48; smaller orders pay shipping calculated at checkout.99. Winches are heavy, so inspect the box before signing and report any damage within 48 hours.
Can I return recovery gear?
New, unused gear in original packaging can be returned within 30 days of delivery with a return authorization. A 20% restocking fee applies and the customer pays return shipping. Damaged, defective or incorrect items are replaced at no cost when reported within 48 hours.