Best Recovery Gear and Winches for Jeeps

I've been running a Warn Zeon 8 in my JK for years and it's been a workhorse. The recovery gear I use most often is a 30ft x 3/4inch synthetic rope, it's lightweight and resistant to abrasion, perfect for winching up steep inclines or across rough terrain. I've also recently started using the Smittybilt X20 winch, it's a great mid-range option that offers a lot of power for its price. The 9.5ft x 2inch cable is plenty long enough and the 4.7HP motor has gotten me out of some tight spots. One thing to consider when choosing recovery gear is the weight capacity of your vehicle, make sure you're not exceeding it with whatever gear you choose.

I've had great luck with the Warn Zeon 8 winch on my TJ. It's been through some tough spots and never skipped a beat. I also use the Maxtrax Recovery Mats to help get unstuck when needed. They're super lightweight and easy to deploy. The T-Max Tow Strap is another favorite of mine, it's sturdy enough for even the most stuck situations but still compact and lightweight. My buddy swears by his PPE Synthetic Winch Rope, says it's held up much better than the old steel cable winches he used to use.

I've been running a WARN Zeon 12 on my '17 JLUR for a few years now and it's been a beast. The 12,000 lb capacity has gotten me out of some pretty sticky situations on the trail. That being said, I recently picked up a Smittybilt X20 and have been impressed with its compact size and ease of use. It's not as powerful as my Zeon but it's a great secondary winch to have along for smaller recoveries or when you don't want to risk damaging your primary setup. One thing to keep in mind is that both of these winches require a significant amount of power from the alternator, so make sure you've got a high-output alternator and a good battery if you plan on running them simultaneously.

I've had great luck with the Warn Zeon 12 winch and ARB snatch block combo. The snatch block provides extra leverage and control, especially in sticky situations. Highly recommend for its reliability and ease of use. Works flawlessly on my CJ5.

I've had great success with the Warn Zeon 8S winch, it's compact size doesn't take up too much space on my Wrangler and its 80ft cable gives me plenty of room to recover.