While I was winching my poor Sidekick out of a creek the other day, I realized the lights were dimming.  No not mine from the poor decision to try and drive through a soft sandbar at the edge of a deep creek but the Zuk's.  My battery is the most expensive one they at Advance for stock specs.  I believe the CCA are 610.  What type of battery should I get to help with the demands of winching?  Is it necessary to add another battery, or at least a great idea?  I did not winch continually for more than 15-20 secs and I did rev the engine periodically in between.  The truck didn't stall out but it made me a bit nervous as I had no jumper with me.

Thanks
Jon

It's probably less of a battery thing than it is an alternator thing.

That being said, I run an Optima Yellow Top. I've got a WARN VR-8000-s winch, front and rear lights, and ARB fridge/freezer plug. While it can make the lights dim a bit, so long as the engine is running, I've never had an issue.

I second the Optima.  I have only run Red Top version, but I've never had a severe power loss problem with them when winching.  I believe that they are rated for 800CCA and up.

My first two Optima Redtops lasted 8 and 12 years.  Unfortunately, I think that their quality has declined considerably since the late 90s, but I believe that they are still a good choice for an off-road vehicle.  Standard batteries simply cannot withstand the bumps and vibrations of offroad trails.

got mine..2X100 A..with dual battery Tmax System

If you plan on winching frequently get a larger (higher output) alternator, and don't just "rev the engine periodically in between", either drive out (to assist the winch), or, bring the engine rpms up to around 2000 and hold them there.

A fully loaded winch is going to be drawing 3~400A, way more than your alternator will deliver at idle (or even at 2000 rpm), and that "additional" current requirement has to be met by the battery - winch long enough, and you'll flatten the battery, any battery - but, by increasing the alternator output, you're going to reduce the draw on the battery, and, by holding the rpms higher, even when not winching (for example, in between pulls), allows the battery to at least partially recharge.

X two on the larger battery.  I'm a fan of Optima batteries too.   The secondary reason I like the Optima batteries is they almost completely eliminate any under the hood sheet metal damage from wet cell battery acid spills.