if i was to get a winch i would definitely buy a couple ****** block. i saw 6 guys pull a 11,400# Humvee out of a sloped sandy environment on dirty jobs 100th dirty job. they would definitely be worth the investment if you go off roading.

 

The ****** block is great, yes, but each one you use takes up more cable. If you have a 100' cable, and want to use one ****** block, you're only looking at being able to attach to something about 45' away. So, use blocks whenever you can, but there is a very good chance that you will need a lot of cable and/or chain in order to do so. Spend the extra $100 or so and get a stronger winch (you won't regret it)

 

if you can't get unstuck with 45' of cable then you should not be somewhere that you are going to get stuck. the easiest thing to do if you do get stuck and there is nothing to hook onto is pound a stake into the ground and make something to hook onto or jack your truck up and shove stuff under your tires.

 

You can always get a Pull Pal or other brand winch anchor:



Personally, the only place I am off-road where I'm in deep woods and would have a plethora of trees around me would be crossing a plowed field up at the farm. If I got stuck in one of the fields, I could just go fire up the tractor.

I carry two ****** blocks, one 27,000# rated and one 19,000# rated, in a heavy duty canvas bag I have in my tool box full of recovery gear. (You don't wanna know what they cost). I also carry an 8000# rated one in my ATV. I likes my ****** blocks.

I don't think I've ever needed one to increase my winch's capacity, but I've used them many a time when I couldn't line up my truck for a straight pull. They are indispensable for being able to pull safely at an angle!

 

I think that it may have to do with my being from AZ that I think you need more cable, and will not be able to pound anything into the ground. In most places, the ground is literally solid rock, and there are no trees.
Just take a look at the google maps satellite view of AZ. It's like looking the the moon.

 

if it is all rock you should not have any problems getting stuck in the mud

 

Who said anything about mud?
http://www.higherground4x4.com/forum...-3-27-10/page2

 

then never go rock crawling by yourself.

 

Well, my point is just that you'd rather have a winch that can definitely handle the strain, than one that might require ****** blocks.