Stuck. It’s a word that’s chilling to the most experienced off-roaders, and it’s downright terrifying if you’re the type who frequently goes solo in the backcountry. Sure, there are ways to get un-stuck using rudimentary equipment and strokes of genius, but it’s better to equip yourself for self-recovery before you even leave your driveway.
As an adventurer who frequently flies solo in the dirt, I’d successfully relied on a combination of skill and dumb luck to keep myself un-stuck. At the same time, everyone’s got a creek crossing, a mudhole, or a high-center spot with his or her name on it, and it was merely a matter of time before I found mine.
All the while, there’s been a Warn 9.5 XP winch lying fallow in the garage. It was time to put it to use before my backcountry luck took a turn for the worse.
The Warn 9.5 XP was left over...
The Warn 9.5 XP was left over from a previous project vehicle, and was in generally good shape. Just to be safe, we shipped the winch back to Warn Industries for an inspection and some updates. It came back as a practically brand new Warn 9.5 XP-S. A sturdy shipping container is a must, so steel tubing and angle iron were pressed into service for the occasion. The container was then wrapped with clear shrink-wrap to keep the weather out. A steel container isn’t mandatory. A strong one is.
Even with a working winch, no self-recovery package is complete without a selection of key winching accessories. Warn Industries not only makes premium winches, but also offers a wide selection of winching accessories. Winching accessories make self-recovery safer, more successful, and can also eliminate damage to trees and other trailside features.
Let’s see: working winch? Check. Winching accessories? Check again. What’s missing? A winch bumper!
Even though there are ready-made winch bumpers available for my ’04 4Runner, I decided to take on the challenge of building my own. A Warn universal trailer mounting system was the perfect starting point for a home-brewed winch bumper.
This time, we’ll take a look at the winch itself, check out a selection of winching accessories, and start the winch bumper.
Next time, we’ll complete the bumper build.
Finally, we’ll take the whole system on the trail where it belongs and demonstrate safe and effective winching techniques.
Here’s part one of our three-step empowerment program.
Warn’s ability to service...
Warn’s ability to service and upgrade existing Warn winches is impressive. It means your Warn winch is a long-term investment that won’t end with a minor problem or a broken part. To change the old XP into the new XP-S, Warn swapped the motor, drum, contactor, and remote control.
Compared to the old XP, the...
Compared to the old XP, the XP-S contactor box’s remote-control connection is better sealed against the elements than its predecessor. The connection is a D-shaped coupler that’s easy to orient and clip into place.
Even though the bumper was...
Even though the bumper was going to be fabricated from scratch, it made sense to incorporate Warn’s universal trailer mount as the centerpiece. This is the “foot down” version. Warn also makes a foot-forward universal mount to accommodate different mounting needs. You can get the mount with a solenoid bracket and mounting hardware, or buy the plate a la carte if you don’t need the other items.
The Warn 9.5 XP-S features...
The Warn 9.5 XP-S features 9,500 pounds of pulling power and is wound with Warn’s Spydura synthetic rope. Warn’s polished aluminum Hawse fairlead is the perfect match for the synthetic winch line. If you’d rather, Warn offers the 9.5 XP with a steel rope and a roller fairlead. The two Warn hooks are slated to be a part of the new bumper.
Choices are good, and being...
Choices are good, and being able to buy items a la carte is good, too. However, Warn makes choosing winching accessories intuitive and easy with pre-packaged accessory kits. This is the Medium-Duty Winching Accessories Kit, and is designed to be a companion for the 9.5 XP-S and other Warn winches of the same capacity. Inside the heavy-duty camo bag you’ll find a recovery strap, a tree trunk protector, a pair of clevises, a pair of Warn gloves, and a snatch block. Warn’s winching techniques safety guidebook was also inside.
On the left is a 3-inch-wide,...
On the left is a 3-inch-wide, 35-foot-long recovery strap. It’s rated to 21,600 pounds and is more forgiving than a steel chain. On the right is a tree trunk protector strap. Never wrap a winch line directly around a tree. You’ll damage the bark which can injure or kill the tree and injure or kill trail access.
The snatch block is no lightweight!...
The snatch block is no lightweight! This sucker is sturdy and substantial. The keychain should provide some sense of scale.
The snatch block’s pulley...
The snatch block’s pulley features a zerk fitting for easy maintenance. This feature was as slick as it was safe: the three lines will distort if the steel gets stretched. Once the lines aren’t straight it indicates that the steel is stretched and the snatch block should be replaced.
Information is as valuable...
Information is as valuable as equipment. Warn’s “Basic Guide to Winching Techniques” is available a la carte, as well, or you can download it free of charge from the Warn website.