If all your 4WDing is done in a group, chances are you will never need to use a winch. But if you do intend to do hard 4WDing in small groups, or even easy 4WDing by yourself, then a winch could be the best investment you will ever make.

Remember to always stand well clear of any recovery operations, unless you have been asked to do a particular job.

Taught winch cables can do a lot of damage if they should break.

Make sure any winch points you use are sufficiently strong, as well as being careful not to damage trees by wrapping cables around them. If you use another car to winch off, have somebody sit inside with their foot on the brake.

A Snatch block is a must for winch owners as it allows you to change the direction of the pull, double the capacity of the winch, or set up a "slingshot".

Although Tirfor is the famous name in hand winches, there are several copies available at much cheaper prices.

From top: James and Buzz have a work-out. The heavy “non-suzuki” requires a snatch block to halve the load.

Left: This birds nest will have to be untangled following it’s last recovery.