4x4 Winch Spooling Guide: Prevent Failure — MEAN MOTHER 4X4
Skip to content
afterpay available
FIND YOUR STORE  
afterpay available FIND YOUR STORE  
4x4 Winch Spooling Guide: Prevent Failure
April 2, 2024

4x4 Winch Spooling Guide: Prevent Failure

When you find yourself in a situation that you need to recover yourself with your winch, you don't wanna find your winch rope unusable.

Winch ropes and cables, both synthetic and steel, rely on proper spooling for safe and efficient operation. Tight, even spooling under tension is necessary for the winch rope to work the way you need it to. It stops the rope from binding.

A friend of ours hadn't spooled his winch correctly and ended up destroying the whole thing. The rope had lost its integrity and the winch itself had its spool gears stripped. Check out what was left..

- Don't let this happen to your winch! -

Damaged rope:

Stripped spool gear:

- How to spool your winch -

-To spool your winch correctly, find somewhere that has enough room for your winch rope and a good spot to anchor. You'll want it to be straight as possible.

-Unspool your winch rope and attach it to your anchor point.

-If you can find a spot with a bit of an incline, the weight of your 4wd will provide the tension. If you can't find a spot with some incline, just feather your brakes! Recommended approximately 500 kg of load.

-With the 4wd running and in neutral, start winching yourself in.

-Depending on your winch, you may want to guide the winch rope in so it spools evenly.

-Once you get to the last few metres, you can unhook from the anchor spot and winch in the last bit. Most of the tension is already on there, so you can winch up the last bit and be on your way!

- Good Maintenance -

Remember guys, new winches don't come with perfectly spooled lines. The first thing you should do after installing is to respool the line.

After a trip where you use your winch, it's good practice to unspool the rope, check the condition, clean it, and respool. This will reduce wear and tear on the line and winch drum. You want your winch to perform and protect its longevity. This little bit of maintenance will go a long way and won't let you down.

Want to see us do it?

Check out our video to see us run through a winch spooling.

Filed in: 4x4 winch guide, 4x4 winch recovery
Previous article How to Use an Emergency Tyre Repair Kit
Next article 5 Tips to Maximize EXITRAX Recovery Boards: Essential Tips for 4X4 Adventures

Leave a comment

Comments must be approved before appearing

* Required fields

Featured collection

  • A man in a wide-brimmed hat and blue shirt beams with excitement as he holds a pack of Tyre Deflators from Mean Mother 4x4, ideal for off-road adventures. The image includes the text: "Most accurate tyre deflators on the market," accompanied by star ratings and logos for Pat Callinan's 4x4 Adventures and Mean Mother.
    The Mean Mother 4x4 Tyre Deflators - 4 Pack, essential for off-road enthusiasts, feature a distinctive yellow and black design. These adjustable valves resemble tyre deflators with their cylindrical shape. They include numerical markings from 20 to 30 on the black section and are equipped with a black knob on top for precise adjustments.

    Tyre Deflators - 4 Pack

    Mean Mother 4x4
    $79.99 - $79.99
    $79.99
    $79.99
    $79.99 - $79.99
    $79.99
    In stock

    The Best Tyre Deflator | Mean Mother 4WD Tyre Deflators are accurate to 1 PSI The Mean Mother Tyre Deflator is a must have product for reducing mul...

    View full details
    $79.99 - $79.99
    $79.99
    $79.99
    $79.99 - $79.99
    $79.99
  • A portable yellow Mean Mother Adventurer 4 Air Compressor & FREE Deluxe Bag from Mean Mother 4x4 is placed on the ground outdoors, with a blurred background of a person kneeling and adjusting something nearby. The 4x4 air compressor is connected to a power source and appears to be in use or ready for use.
    The Mean Mother 4x4 Adventurer 4 Air Compressor & FREE Deluxe Bag is a high-power portable kit. It includes a yellow and black compressor unit with attached cables, a pressure gauge, red and black battery clamps, and a black case with a yellow logo. The unit has a sturdy handle and air hose for inflating tires efficiently at 180LPM.
    Save 15% Save %

    Mean Mother Adventurer 4 Air Compressor & FREE Deluxe Bag

    Mean Mother 4x4
    $388.00
    $388.00 - $388.00
    $388.00
    $329.00
    $329.00 - $329.00
    $329.00
    In stock

    we've put together this convenient and cost saving Bundle of the Mean Mother Adventurer 4 180LPM Air Compressor and Deluxe Bag. Mean Mother Adventu...

    View full details
    $388.00
    $388.00 - $388.00
    $388.00
    $329.00
    $329.00 - $329.00
    $329.00
    Save 15% Save %
  • A portable yellow and black Mean Mother 4x4 Adventurer 4 Ultimate Tyre Care Bundle is placed on the ground outdoors, with a person in the background blurred, likely attending to a vehicle tire. The scene suggests a roadside or outdoor repair setup, surrounded by greenery.
    The Mean Mother 4x4 Adventurer 4 Ultimate Tyre Care Bundle includes a yellow and black air compressor, a Digital 2-in-1 Deflator & Gauge Kit reading 34.0 PSI, a Tyre Repair Kit in a black carrying case with instructions, and two red and black alligator clamps.
    Save 5% Save %

    Mean Mother Adventurer 4 Ultimate Tyre Care Bundle

    Mean Mother 4x4
    $443.00
    $443.00 - $443.00
    $443.00
    $419.00
    $419.00 - $419.00
    $419.00
    In stock

    we've put together this convenient and cost saving Bundle of the Mean Mother Adventurer 4 180LPM Air Compressor, Digital 2-in-1 Deflator & Gaug...

    View full details
    $443.00
    $443.00 - $443.00
    $443.00
    $419.00
    $419.00 - $419.00
    $419.00
    Save 5% Save %
  • Introducing the Mean Mother 4x4 Mean Mother 50Amp Anderson Style, 12V Accessory Socket & Dual USB Panel; a sleek black panel designed with a 12V cigarette lighter socket, a central rectangular cutout for two blade-style fuses, and dual USB ports providing a 5V output. Each socket is safeguarded by a flexible rubber cap. The package includes mounting hardware for effortless installation.

    Mean Mother 50Amp Anderson Style, 12v Accessory Socket & Dual USB Panel

    Mean Mother 4x4
    $0.00 - $0.00
    $0.00
    $29.99
    $29.99 - $29.99
    $29.99
    In stock

    The Mean Mother Flush Panel Mount with recessed 50 AMP Anderson Style Connector, 12V Cig Socket & Dual USB Ports is perfect for Mounting to Pan...

    View full details
    $0.00 - $0.00
    $0.00
    $29.99
    $29.99 - $29.99
    $29.99
  • A hand holds a pressure gauge attached to a powerful air compressor labeled "Dr Air 180 Lpm Air Compressor." The compressor is inflating a vehicle tire. A green shield icon with a checkmark and the text "5 Year Limited Warranty" appears in the upper left corner, showcasing Dr Air's commitment to quality assurance as an Australian company.
    Dr Air's 180 Lpm Air Compressor, in a sleek metallic grey from the Australian company "Dr Air," boasts a robust design featuring a perforated black handle, coiled black hose, and compact pressure gauge. This powerful model also offers an impressive 5-year warranty for added peace of mind.
    Save 13% Save %

    Dr Air 180 Lpm Air Compressor

    Dr Air
    $299.00
    $299.00 - $299.00
    $299.00
    $259.00
    $259.00 - $259.00
    $259.00
    In stock

    MOST PEOPLE HUNTING FOR AN AIR COMPRESSOR GIVE UP IN FRUSTRATION BECAUSE: They want a powerful unit but don't want to spend a lot of money They d...

    View full details
    $299.00
    $299.00 - $299.00
    $299.00
    $259.00
    $259.00 - $259.00
    $259.00
    Save 13% Save %
Shop collection

Compare products

{"one"=>"Select 2 or 3 items to compare", "other"=>"{{ count }} of 3 items selected"}

Select first item to compare

Select second item to compare

Select third item to compare

Compare