• Welcome to RCCrawler Forums.

    It looks like you're enjoying RCCrawler's Forums but haven't created an account yet. Why not take a minute to register for your own free account now? As a member you get free access to all of our forums and posts plus the ability to post your own messages, communicate directly with other members, and much more. Register now!

    Already a member? Login at the top of this page to stop seeing this message.

Winch or no winch? I don't really use them...

KingRaptor

Newbie
Joined
Aug 19, 2019
Messages
45
Location
DALLAS
I had a H.O.G. (Hand of God) servo winch on my TRX4 for about 8 months. Used it about 3 times and that was it. It looks cool, but practically it was slow to unwind and sometimes the winch controller would hesitate or go the wrong way. I drive alone and not in comps or with buddies.

I'm making a new build on my TRX4 and refreshing the electronics, and thinking about just forgetting about adding a winch to my rigs. They look cool, but they add unnecessary weight up top (bad CG), extra wires and components makes the chassis look cluttered and more difficult to clean after mud runs etc. I see more CONS than PROS in adding a winch, for my specific case.

I was thinking of adding a winch to my enduro trailrunner too but I think I prefer without a winch. If I drove with buddies or go to comps I would definitely add one.

Anyone else decide to leave out winches?
 
I’ve got both.
Controlled with a HeyOK winch controller, zero issues with it, but I added a guide to stop erratic spooling due to slack. Another rig is running a HW1060 esc to control the winch.

Great fun, not really practical unless comping for points.

Functional? Yep. Needed? Nope

My latest Sherpa chassis don’t need no stinking winch!

d019305e392df81551fff438fe7393eb.jpg


Hang up and Drive
49d4acd6b2365d19e30b82ab45051ea3.jpg

15b52a33a23c6fd3de669287c939d2da.jpg
 
Last edited:
Beat me to it.

Servo winch if you wanted to do a winch again. All you need is a fairlead and some eyes and you can mount it anywhere a servo will tuck out of the way.
 
Where I comp they do a Class 1 SORCCA so I have a winch on my Class 1. For the other classes they don't do the point thing so I use bungies on those RCs. I prefer scale winches if you are building a scale RC.

c1.jpg
 
I don't comp but I run winches on most of my trail rigs, I use servo boards to control mine. I buy four packs of the MG995 Towerpro continuous rotation servos from Amazon for around $20, desolder the board from the motor then solder the appropriate connector to the board. Connect to your winch and you're done, $5 winch control with no creep, works great. I usually conformal coat these then shrink wrap, just didn'tdo this one yet.

288c76b4c05421817dc1272039023d82.jpg
83c2cfb6e5681e735d791d6b537385df.jpg
ff92bf83aaf606a9c539a9237cdc5b1d.jpg


Sent from my SM-N981U using Tapatalk
 
I don’t comp and I don’t winch. Seems I contemplate winches every time I build a new rig, but never bother. Likely because i would only be putting one in for looks. It’s more ‘stuff’ that, as has been mentioned, clutters the chassis. I don’t like clutter.
 
You could try a kinetic winch.
Are you speaking of the DSM Self-recovery-system? (ie; bungee)?

R.C. means both;Radio control, and Rock Crawler, oh..and Race Car! annd, Rice Cake, as well as
..Real cash, Remote Contr, etc
 
The DSM Self-Recovery system is amazing. Just transitioned from the strap only to the full system, and I love it. It can be deployed in seconds, so I actually use it-- and I don't crawl competitively. Gets used pretty much every time I'm out.
 
Are you speaking of the DSM Self-recovery-system? (ie; bungee)?

R.C. means both;Radio control, and Rock Crawler, oh..and Race Car! annd, Rice Cake, as well as
..Real cash, Remote Contr, etc

The DSM Self-Recovery system is amazing. Just transitioned from the strap only to the full system, and I love it. It can be deployed in seconds, so I actually use it-- and I don't crawl competitively. Gets used pretty much every time I'm out.

Yup. Didn't feel like trying to cram a winch into my Capra, so I went with a kinetic winch, its simple and seems to work well.

There is a hair to be split on if it counts for scale points, but I think scale points are a complete load of BS for anything other than C1.
 
I guess you have three choices since you already have the winch. 1. Install it. 2. Toss it in a box to collect dust. 3. Sell it. Of the three I think I would try to sell it.
 
Still cracks me up to hear a bungee cord called the kinetic winch/rope/system. I need to come up with a better name for my foot since it does most of my recovery haha


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
Still cracks me up to hear a bungee cord called the kinetic winch/rope/system. I need to come up with a better name for my foot since it does most of my recovery haha


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Yep, I like my kinetic winch/rope/system. Mine is actual a skinny bungee with a big treble hook with one prong cut off and the barb filed off. I used supper glue, fishline and a back electric heat shrink to attach things. I have a short one attached to the winch line on my class 1 and longer ones on my other RCs. And no they shouldn't get scale points.

I use an axle bearing a bolt and big washer for the retractable part.
 
I don’t comp and I don’t winch. Seems I contemplate winches every time I build a new rig, but never bother. Likely because i would only be putting one in for looks. It’s more ‘stuff’ that, as has been mentioned, clutters the chassis. I don’t like clutter.


Yup, same here. thinking one would look cool on all my rigs, but I would never use them so it would be a waste of money. (I don’t comp)




_________________
SCX10 ii
 
I don’t mind the look but they sure do compromise approach angle when mounted on a bumper. If you’re building a kitchen sink scaler complete with little chickens and oils drums it is a must have tho. Mine is now a prop in my garage diorama lol


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
I don’t mind the look but they sure do compromise approach angle when mounted on a bumper. If you’re building a kitchen sink scaler complete with little chickens and oils drums it is a must have tho. Mine is now a prop in my garage diorama lol

Chickens AND a winch? Where are you taking your chickens to?:ror:
 
I don’t mind the look but they sure do compromise approach angle when mounted on a bumper. If you’re building a kitchen sink scaler complete with little chickens and oils drums it is a must have tho. Mine is now a prop in my garage diorama lol


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Same with bumpers that run the length of the windshield, fenders cover a certain amount of the tires, certain size tires. Or having to deal with shock hoop rules. Why waist weight on metal bumpers when plastics ones are fine, why have bumpers at all? Interiors are a waste of weight and don't forget the added weight of a hard body. Some crazy people even run leaf springs.

Just build a straight up performance rig and not worry about scale.
 
Last edited:
The only Winch i end up using are the free spooling type....otherwise it takes too long to deploy.
 
Same with bumpers that run the length of the windshield, fenders cover a certain amount of the tires, certain size tires. Or having to deal with shock hoop rules. Why waist weight on metal bumpers when plastics ones are fine, why have bumpers at all? Interiors are a waste of weight and don't forget the added weight of a hard body. Some crazy people even run leaf springs.

Just build a straight up performance rig and not worry about scale.


That escalated quickly lol :lmao:
 
Back
Top