A winch is a lifting or hauling device that consists of a rope, cable, or chain wound around a horizontal rotating drum, is is turned by a crank, motor, or other kinds of power source. Winches are a quickly growing product market, especially in the off road parts industry.

Hand cranked manual winches exponentially increase your strength, allowing you to pull relatively heavy objects, like boats and other vehicles, against gravity and friction. New advancements in winch technology make choosing the best hand winch more difficult than ever before. Before you decide on one to purchase for your boat or vehicle, you need to look at which technical factors to take into consideration.

First, look at the winch manufacturer's line pull rating. This refers to the combined mechanical capacity of the winch and the tensile strength of the line on the drum. In order to calculate the minimum pull that your needs would require, take your gross vehicle weight (note: this is different from its curb weight) and multiply it by 1.5.

The next consideration is line length. More line on drum allows further reach. However, this is often a mixed blessing. The maximum rated pull of the Warn 8000 lb winch is one the first layer of line, so to get maximum pull, you need to spool out a lot of cable. On the other hand, more line on a drum means that it is easier for it to get jammed, snarled up, and kinked. Because of this, most people prefer less line with an extra 50-foot length for extension.

Third, consider the winch rope. Two basic choices are available - wire rope and synthetic rope. Either one will accomplish the job, but they each have their own pros and cons. They are both rated for strength, depending on the diameter and tensile strength (or the point at which the rope breaks) of their materials. Tensile strength varies according to the type, characteristics, and diameter. Do not forget to account for wear and tear and minor damages.

Finally, look at the mounting system. The aesthetic consideration really vary from person to person, but the mount you choose has to be able to handle the pulling capacity of the winch. If it is too heavy, your front suspension may sag lower. This may be resolved by a stiffer front spring. Consider also the approach angle - the further the unit protrudes the bigger the load on the springs. Another factor to keep in mind is your access to the winch cable. This is both a cost and safety issue. Some mounts will have minimal drum access, making it harder to re-spool the cable. This might lead to cable to damage. Moreover, inaccessible cable increases the risk of hand injuries when re-spooling. Read uff stuff winch reviews for more info.