The best winches of 2024

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If you're a truck or SUV driver, it's probably a good idea to keep a winch around. Winches can be great in an emergency and can be used to help pull other vehicles or even your own truck out of a sticky situation. Most winches can effectively pull cars, trucks, ATVs and even boats. Here are the best winches for trucks that are currently available on Amazon — prices will vary depending on the make, model and year of your truck.

$252.83 at Amazon

This WARN Handheld Portable Drill Winch has a 40-foot-long synthetic steel rope and a maximum pulling capacity of 750 pounds. It has a vehicle-specific fit and is powered by a standard portable drill which is sold separately. This winch is best for pulling supplies and not full-sized vehicles.

$69.99 at Amazon

The RUGCEL 2,000-lb ATV/UTV Electric Winch is powered by a 12v DC motor that operates at 1 horsepower. This winch has a UV-resistant finish, automatic load-holding and can withstand various terrains without fraying.

$316.20 at Amazon

This SuperATV Black Ops Winch can pull up to 6,000 lbs with a 50-foot synthetic rope and 12v DC motor. This winch fits on most winch mounts and bumpers with a 3” x 6.6” mounting bolt pattern.

$161.40 at Amazon

This X-BULL 4,500 Winch features a 3-stage planetary gear system, a 50 foot synthetic rope and a 12v motor. It is also IP66 Waterproof and corrosion-resistant.

Before picking which type of winch to use, you have to think about the occasions you will be using it for. If it’s going to be used primarily for minor pulling then a capacity of around 1,000 to 2,000 pounds will likely suffice. If you need a winch for more heavy-duty work such as pulling another vehicle out of dirt, mud or water then a higher weight capacity and stronger motor will be needed.

Before attaching a winch make sure it’s compatible with your truck or SUV and go through the instructions on proper installation. Here is a YouTube tutorial from SnailTrail4x4 on how to properly install a winch.

Both types of rope can pull a large amount of weight consistently, but there are a few key differences to note.