The winch rope should spool in tight, even rows onto the drum.

1. Don’t spool out all of the cable.

Always keep at least 5 wraps on the drum. Leaving a few wraps on the drum helps anchor the winch cable in place. The rope attachment to the drum is not designed to hold a load by itself.

Expert Tip: If your cable is too short, choose a closer anchor point, use a longer tree strap or chain, or hook up a cable extension.

2. Avoid continuous side pulls.

They place a strain on your recovery winch and allow the rope to pile up on one end of the drum. If the rope gets pinched in the winch housing, your rope or winch could be damaged.

Expert Tip: As much as possible, rig up the pull in a direct line from the stuck vehicle. Use a pulley block to redirect the pull if needed.

3. Avoid shock loads.

Use the winch remote to take up any slack in the rope. The rope should be under tension before beginning the winching process. Shock loads can momentarily exceed the winch rating, which is dangerous for your equipment and for any bystanders.

Expert Tip: Pulse the winch remote intermittently to wind the rope until no slack remains.

4. Watch how the winch rope spools onto the drum.

Don’t let it pile up on one side or get nested into the inner layers. The winch cable should spool in tight, even rows across the drum.

Expert Tip: If the cable stacks unevenly on one side of the drum, spool out the uneven section of rope and reposition it to the opposite end of the winch drum.

5. Never use a winch rope for towing or snatching another vehicle.

Use a snatch strap to free a stuck vehicle with a shock load, and use a tow rope to tow another vehicle at a slow, steady pace. A winch rope is also not meant to hold a load in place.

Expert Tip: Snatch straps are stretchy (to handle shock loads), while tow ropes do not stretch (to pull another vehicle behind you).

A wireless winch remote lets you control your winch from up to 50 feet away.

Wireless Winch Control

A wireless winch remote is the most versatile control, because it allows you to power the winch from anywhere within a certain range of your vehicle, whether in the cab or out. There’s no cord to get caught up in and no need to plug the remote into the winch before use. You can stand much further away than a tethered remote will allow (for example, 12 feet with a tethered remote compared to 50 feet with a wireless remote), which increases the safety of the winching process.

A key ring on the remote keeps the remote handy for when you need it, and you have the option to lock up the wireless remote in the glove compartment for safe keeping.

Tethered Winch Control

The standard option that comes with most Jeep and truck winches is the tethered remote. It plugs in to the winch and gives you about 12 feet of leash to run the winch control back to the cab or to power the winch while standing off to the side. Since the tethered remote disconnects from the winch after you are done using it, you can prevent accidental operation of the winch by storing the remote in a safe place. To prevent tampering, or to keep the remote away from curious kids, lock it up in the glove compartment for safe keeping.

The downside of a tethered remote is that you have to get out of the cab and plug in the remote in order to power the winch. You also have to keep track of the remote and store it in a dry, protected area to keep the remote from getting crushed or damaged accidentally.

In-Cab Winch Control

An in-cab winch control lets you power the winch from inside your vehicle. In situations where you need to get out fast, an in-cab control is the quickest way to power out the cable and complete the recovery. There’s no need to remember where you last put the remote, and there’s no risk of breaking the remote or dealing with dead batteries.

On the other hand, in-cab winch control takes more time and expertise to install. It also means you need to be in the vehicle to power the winch, which in some situations could be dangerous. Consider a remote control (either tethered or wireless) as a backup.

In-Line Wireless Remote Kit for ATV Winches

A brand new in-line universal wireless remote kit for 12 volt ATV winches is now available from ProMark Offroad. This kit allows you to control the operation of your ATV winch with a wireless remote from up to 75 feet away.

The in-line wireless remote kit includes:

• 1 Wireless Keychain Remote
• 1 Receive Control Box
• Wiring and Instruction Manual

What makes the in-line wireless ATV winch remote different from the full wireless remote kit? The in-line model is easier to install and less expensive, since it does not require its own specific contactor unit. The kit uses the thumb switch pig tail wiring, which means that for most 4-post contactor winches, no splicing is needed.

Benefits of the in-line wireless ATV winch control:

• Really easy hookup
• Lower cost option
• Fits almost all 12 volt winches
• Direct plugin to existing system – no wiring or cutting needed

Electrical Requirements

For normal winch recovery loads and conditions, your existing electrical system is adequate for the wireless upgrade. For heavy winching, consider upgrading your electrical system.

In order for the recovery winch to work at its full potential, a fully charged battery and proper connections are essential. Keep the vehicle’s engine running during the winching process to keep the battery charged.

Installation

To install your wireless winch remote, carefully follow the instructions and diagrams below for routing the electrical connections:

1. Short red cable “B” connects to the red terminal “B” on the motor.
2. Short black cable with the yellow boot “C” connects to the yellow terminal “C” on the motor.
3. Short black cable with the black boot “D” connects to the black terminal “D” on the motor.
4. Thin black wire “A” connects to the bottom terminal “A” on the motor.
5. Long red cable connects to the vehicle battery terminal positive.

Test the setup for correct operation before using your winch on the trail or in a recovery operation. If the remote control does not operate correctly, check all wiring to ensure that connections are correct and secure. Also, check the remote battery and replace if necessary (23A battery).

Wireless Winch Remote Installation Diagram

Wireless Winch Remote Installation Diagram 2

Recommendations for Use

For best results with your new wireless winch remote, take note of the following recommendations:

• Make sure your battery is kept in good working condition.
• Make sure the battery cables are not drawn tightly across any rough or sharp edges.
• Prevent and immediately remove any corrosion on the electrical connections. Corrosion can affect the performance of the wireless kit or cause a short.
• Clean all connections on the battery and contactor box regularly.
• In salty environments, use a silicone sealer to prevent corrosion.

Wireless Winch Remote

Store the remote in a clean, dry, protected place. Some wireless winch remotes come with a keychain. That way you are less likely to lose the remote and the remote will stay clean and dry along with your keys.

If your wireless remote doesn’t come with a keychain, you may want to add one. You can also modify your corded or wireless winch remote with a magnet for convenience. Just stick the remote on the hood while you rig up for the pull. A magnet keeps the remote out of the way but handy when you need it. It also keeps the remote from dangling in mud or water.

Another way to keep the winch remote handy is to run it over the hood and hang it over the door mirror (for a truck) or handlebars (for an ATV). Don’t let the remote control cord dangle in front of the winch, as it could get caught in the cable or moving parts.

If you operate the winch from inside the vehicle, simply pass the remote over the hood and through the side window to avoid pinching the cord in the door.

If you have a corded remote, always disconnect the cord from the winch when the remote is not being used. Don’t connect the remote until after you spool out the cable by hand and the clutch is in the engaged position.

The ideal winch control setup includes a combination of two controls: 1) interior and corded or 2) interior and wireless. Here’s an overview of the three types of winch controls for off road use.

• Interior Winch Rocker Switch

A handlebar rocker switch or in-cab switch lets you control the winch and give the stuck vehicle some gas at the same time. This is especially helpful if you are trying to winch out by yourself. One of the added benefits of an interior winch control if you have a closed cab is that you can stay warm and dry as you operate your winch.

Interior winch controls are convenient, but they have their downside as well. From behind the wheel, you can’t watch the cable as it stacks on the drum. You won’t be able to see if the cable is piling up on one side or if it’s rubbing on something.

Another downside is safety. Sitting in line with the cable as you winch leaves you vulnerable. A snapped steel cable can cause serious injury and even smash through your windshield. Don’t assume your vehicle will protect you if your cable breaks.

Low-impact pulls place less strain on your cable, making it safer to control the winch from inside your vehicle. However, no matter which control you use to operate your winch, keep your eye on the cable the entire time so that if it snaps, you can get out of the way as quickly as possible.

• Corded Winch Remote Control

A corded winch remote gives you greater flexibility in where you stand as you operate your winch. Most corded winch controls are 12 feet in length, so you can winch from a distance but still keep an eye on the entire winching process, including your cable as it stacks on the drum.

If you see the cable start to stack up on one side, you can stop the winching process and respool the cable correctly to prevent damage. The downside of a corded winch remote? You’re restricted by the length of the cord.

• Wireless Winch Remote Control

A wireless winch remote allows you to stand even further away from the cable for safety but still keep an eye on the cable stacking and the winching process. Wireless also means you don’t have to deal with a cord getting in your way.

Most wireless winch controls are compact and fit on your keychain, so you don’t have to worry about losing it. Wireless winch remotes depend on batteries, so bring extra batteries along when you’re out on the trail.