I disagree, a winch is very useful, and if you did the GA traverse (including the obstacles off of it) you may have seen that. Often there isn't enough room for a ****** recovery, also you don't need an anchor. Also, it's best to be able to winch up an obstacle slowly rather than be pulled up and cause damage. As for the CB radio, that's exactly why you need one. I don't know about the exact trails you plan on going on, but if you have no cell service a CB radio may be your only way to contact someone nearby.

I'm looking to do the GA traverse and have some friends interested in going. Let me know if you'd like to anytime soon!

 

Not familiar with US but up here in western Canada a CB is slightly less useful than a dead cell phone, for the most part offroaders have all transitioned to VHF. Partly as that is what the logging companies use.

@cvhyatt I you are going get a winch do a couple of things:

• Dual battery setup which is often recommended
• Possibly a better alternator
• Find a site the does good videos on rigging, and what gear you need to setup right
• Check with the bumper maker if you can about off angle pulls some bumper are very limited (early ARB's for example)

As to anchors your spare tire works really well, but you will need a good shovel, and maybe a mattock/pick to get it buried. A long rated strap or piece of synthetic rope works as a extension and may give you the reach you need to hit an anchor.

I have been going around on a winch for 10 years still do not have one, I will use an axe to create a breakpoint on a downed tree then just pull it put of the way. If it is too big for that odds are a winch will not help. But it does limit my choice of route, I am ok with that as I am often solo so choosing to turn around is easy.

 

CBs are pretty popular here in GA, especially up North where all the trails are. Most 4x4s you see on the street have CB antennas here. Also there's lots of trucks near the trails you can get help from, worst case. I'm pretty confident you don't need a dual battery just for the winch, as long as you use it with the car running and follow the 30 seconds on/off rule. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt though. I wouldn't mind a dual battery setup to run a fridge and camp lights though.

 

Get some cheap trax. I grabbed a set of black ones off Ebay for 45.00 and minus a few small differences in the handle design they still get the job done. I'd never use a set of trax by themselves as a bridge as they're plastic, but in sand, mud, and snow the 45.00 units work just as good as their 300.00 brothers.

 

Definitely on the list! Thanks!

 

I've run my winch pretty hard with no dual battery (set up is in the works just haven't made it a priority). Not a lot of CBs out west but the handheld ham radios are popular (there are a few channels/frequencies where you don't need to be licensed to use).

June may still be early for telluride for the likes of black bear pass or some of the harder trails in the area. I personally don't run Moab outside of winter months (don't need to tempt fate with temps in these cars plus I don't like crowded trails) but I'm not what some might call normal either lol

Most trails in CO don't open until at least Memorial Day, and that usually just means gates are opened, not that it's passable all the way through.

 

Oh that’s a bummer. Guess I should push it forward a bit.

 

Desert maneuvers, maybe Hi lift jack, small shafted shovel, billet aluminum traction mats, and lots of water

 

You don't need a HAM license if the HAM is for "emergency use only" ...

 

that's fine, it's also what I use when out with friends to communicate within our group which would not classify as emergency use. So I stick to the open frequencies as I respect that I don't have a license nor any interest in going down that route at this time.

is what I have a few of (or a similar one), they are cheap and nice to have a couple pre-programmed to the same channel to have coms with friends or people you might meet on the trail or trailhead. They do tend to grow legs and not get returned if you lend them out unless you stay on top of getting them back.