Hi Darrin,

As mentioned there are a lot of clubs that will do some winch training - you could ask at your local AWDC (All Wheel Drive Club) as one option.

- but there are also a lot of weekend warriors out there who dont have a clue what they are doing, so going down the LANTRA route is a good way of learning all the aspects of what a winch can and cannot do safely to a set standard with no omissions.

There are lots of LANTRA providers out there with lots of different prices, but if you go this route choose someone who has been around a while with a recomendation or two.

Though not the cheapest I can recommend the Land Rover Experience Malverns nr Cheltenham - excellent terrain and top Instructors, with lots of Rovers to play with.:thumbup1:

I worked at LRE West Country and at LRE Malverns before I moved to Canada....:rolleyes2:.....Its amazing what you give up for Love...Doh !!!

Cheers
Grif

Everything has it's limitations. I have found situations where an electric (or engine driven either mechanical or hydraulic) winch would be useless. If you try to cover every base you will end up with a Unimog with front and rear winches - and they also have limitations (size, fuel use, speed etc). I would be really interested how many overlanders really end up using winches - normal overland trips, not looking for trouble. I am not relying on them per se - I am well aware of the vehicle's limitations. This has been learnt the hard way most times. If people can drive around the Sahara in a 2cv then my HZJ78 should manage some more of Africa with no winch. I have a winch - just elected not to fit it after seeing how little (like none!) use I had for it in traveling. Everyone is different though. i.e. Darrin knows he probably needs one I know I probably don't. Likely we will both be wrong at some point. However I am quietly confidant in my ability to survive getting stuck a few more times - has happened a fair bit. I just happen to like fooling around with diffs and the control they give in situations other than stuck.

Winch vs Difflocks
 

Well I’m with Gilghana1 on this one. But then I would as I have 3 difflocks as standard:smartass::smartass:

Seriously just about anytime I’ve managed to get stuck I’ve known it was about to happen. Therefore in a situation where I was on my own I would avoid such situations (I know not always possible). Winches? Heavy, unreliable, expensive, potentially dangerous, false sense of security.

On an overland trip I’d just take a tirfor and pack it right at the bottom on the basis that I would avoid needing to actually find it/use it.

But then I’m a cheapskate and can get tirfors for free:thumbup1:

Russ

TLC HZJ8 Factory standard recovery/lashing point. There is one on each chassis leg. The only drawback is that you would have to use a shackle. Not saying anything, just thought it was a bit on topic and I was rolling around under the car with a camera anyway.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_iUsWRT5vB7Q/Sf...0/DSC00038.JPG

TLC Recovery Point
 

Just as well you’re not planning on getting stuck, they look a little flimsy to me:innocent:

"tirfor and pack it right at the bottom"

I went for a front mounted winch as the alternative was a tirfor which I have had in the past. The problem with the tirfor for me was it was impossible to store it inside the vehicle - it's kinda large, heavy and odd shaped.

So it was always in the way, and if it was dirty then it went inside the vehicle where I often sleep which added an authentic aroma.

For £300 I was able to buy a new 'budget' Superwinch and bumper adaptor from Dave Bowyer. Not much more than a new Tirfor, but heavier and probably more prone to not working due to it's electrical bits etc

But its mounted on the front of the vehicle nicely out of the way and will be useful for some of the routes I have lined up.

http://www.bigsky-adventures.com/dia.../22-may/01.jpg