ok dumb question some may have touched on this lots .So question is i drive 91 trackick its my dd/hunting rig moderate offroad/no rock crawlin no real deep mud my tracker weight is 1012kgs which =about 2200lbs will a 3000lb winch pull me out or should i go bigger i dont think that i will not use it alot maybe once or twice just dont want to put it on and be disappointed thx 

The general rule for a winch is at least 1.5 times the weight of the rig you expect to use it on.  So at 2,200 pounds you will want at least a 3500 pound winch.  I wouldn't put less then a 6000lb on so you can winch other vehicles.

The interesting thing is a 6000lb winch is about the same cost as a 8000lb.  So if your looking for a cheap winch that can do the job most people just go with a Chicago Electric 8000lb for around $300.  All though Harbor Freight has the 12,000 on sale right now for 300, that would be more then enough to pull your Tracker out.  Just not very quickly. 

I got my old Warn 5000lb winch from Craigslist for $250. Had a bad ground wire for the one relay, replaced it with a larger gauge wire and have used it a bunch of times!

Works great for my Tracker. I've pulled it up a hill steeper then I could climb and up over a ledge at the top that the crossmember and rearend dug into from tire ruts.

WHEN I get another winch, I'm going to just get a 8000 lb setup. My winch struggled to pull a buddy in his XJ out of some stick mud when he bottomed out. I had nothing to strap the rear of my Tracker too so I jamed the bumper against a large bolder and it BARELY got him out.

5-6k will be fine for you for most any situation, any plans on pulling others out and you'll have to strap yourself to a tree! Just keep that in mind.

WHEN I get another winch, I'm going to just get a 8000 lb setup. My winch struggled to pull a buddy in his XJ out of some stick mud when he bottomed out. I had nothing to strap the rear of my Tracker too so I jamed the bumper against a large bolder and it BARELY got him out.

Winch point! 

Leave it to a Heep to find the ONLY mud in the dessert for MILES, and then get stuck in it. 

Winch point! 

LOL, it was about 1/2 that size.

Our rule of thumb is 1.5 x Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. Regardless, it's likely less than 6,000 for a Tracker/Sidekick.

- Andy

thx for all the input

Our rule of thumb is 1.5 x Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. Regardless, it's likely less than 6,000 for a Tracker/Sidekick.

- Andy

There we go, the official answer.   

i would say it depends on what you wheel in, a bit o mud is easier to pull through than dragging your self over rocks, ive seen a bombardier quad winch a tj out of a mud hole
matt

It's true that many times you just need a tug to get unstuck, and you're not using the winch's full pulling capacity. However, if you get really stuck, you'll want to be able to pull more than your rig's weight (thick, gloppy mud is a good example).

the only thing about getting a 8000lb is that i think (no..i know that) i will become the super trackick unstoppable 4x4 that's just the attitude that i will get ... everyone gets it (what do you mean that i cant go there.. watch me) thats allwill try what i got and if it doesnt help me then DAMN 8000lb here i come i appreciate everyone input