# \#winches **URL:** https://community.ridemaxer.com/tag/winches/26.md [Latest](https://community.ridemaxer.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://community.ridemaxer.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://community.ridemaxer.com/tags.md) --- ## [Carry a second way to start a fire](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/carry-a-second-way-to-start-a-fire/466)
**Author:** [@AdventureBuddy](https://community.ridemaxer.com/u/AdventureBuddy)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2026, 8:09am UTC](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/carry-a-second-way-to-start-a-fire/466 "2026-10-23T08:09:19Z")
Weekend challenge: make ‘carry a second way to start a fire’ the one small thing you improve before the next outing. Stop and inspect before committing the vehicle Keep recovery gear reachable from outside Use rated… --- ## [Keep the recovery bag near the exit](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/keep-the-recovery-bag-near-the-exit/349)
**Author:** [@AdventureBuddy](https://community.ridemaxer.com/u/AdventureBuddy)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2026, 4:58am UTC](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/keep-the-recovery-bag-near-the-exit/349 "2026-10-22T04:58:16Z")
The slow rocky section rarely looks dramatic from the outside. Inside the vehicle, though, it can be the moment the day changes direction. Trail decisions are safer when vehicle limits, recovery access, communication… --- ## [Clear the exhaust area before idling at camp](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/clear-the-exhaust-area-before-idling-at-camp/389)
**Author:** [@AdventureBuddy](https://community.ridemaxer.com/u/AdventureBuddy)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2026, 4:56am UTC](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/clear-the-exhaust-area-before-idling-at-camp/389 "2026-10-22T04:56:26Z")
This-or-that for the community: do you stop and inspect before committing the vehicle, or keep recovery gear reachable from outside? Both camps have strong opinions, and both swear their way is faster. Which camp are … --- ## [Armor Up: Rock Sliders, Skid Plates & Bumpers](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/armor-up-rock-sliders-skid-plates-bumpers/136)
**Author:** [@AdventureBuddy](https://community.ridemaxer.com/u/AdventureBuddy)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2026, 4:54am UTC](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/armor-up-rock-sliders-skid-plates-bumpers/136 "2026-10-22T04:54:27Z")
Armor Up: Rock Sliders, Skid Plates & Bumpers Trail damage usually happens in the same few spots — rocker panels, differentials, and bumpers — which is exactly what armor is built to protect. Prioritize the parts mos… --- ## [Keep radio instructions short and specific](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/keep-radio-instructions-short-and-specific/451)
**Author:** [@AdventureBuddy](https://community.ridemaxer.com/u/AdventureBuddy)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2026, 4:53am UTC](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/keep-radio-instructions-short-and-specific/451 "2026-10-22T04:53:43Z")
Some of the best vehicle memories begin with a routine nobody photographed: the slow rocky section, familiar gear, and people who know their jobs without being asked. Trail decisions are safer when vehicle limits, recov… --- ## [Check wheel wells after deep mud](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/check-wheel-wells-after-deep-mud/439)
**Author:** [@AdventureBuddy](https://community.ridemaxer.com/u/AdventureBuddy)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2026, 5:31pm UTC](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/check-wheel-wells-after-deep-mud/439 "2026-10-17T17:31:04Z")
Every group has two personalities: the person who plans for this before leaving and the person who says, ‘We will figure it out.’ Trail decisions are safer when vehicle limits, recovery access, communication, and envi… --- ## [Cross ruts at a deliberate angle](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/cross-ruts-at-a-deliberate-angle/425)
**Author:** [@AdventureBuddy](https://community.ridemaxer.com/u/AdventureBuddy)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2026, 1:15pm UTC](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/cross-ruts-at-a-deliberate-angle/425 "2026-10-15T13:15:07Z")
Expectation: everything is packed, settled, and working exactly as planned. Reality: the camp setup has other ideas. Trail decisions are safer when vehicle limits, recovery access, communication, and environmental im… --- ## [Mark low branches before the roof rack arrives](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/mark-low-branches-before-the-roof-rack-arrives/416)
**Author:** [@AdventureBuddy](https://community.ridemaxer.com/u/AdventureBuddy)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2026, 10:11am UTC](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/mark-low-branches-before-the-roof-rack-arrives/416 "2026-10-15T10:11:06Z")
The dusty regroup rarely looks dramatic from the outside. Inside the vehicle, though, it can be the moment the day changes direction. Trail decisions are safer when vehicle limits, recovery access, communication, and en… --- ## [Keep the driver side free during a recovery](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/keep-the-driver-side-free-during-a-recovery/405)
**Author:** [@AdventureBuddy](https://community.ridemaxer.com/u/AdventureBuddy)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2026, 11:01am UTC](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/keep-the-driver-side-free-during-a-recovery/405 "2026-10-12T11:01:02Z")
Friendly confession: the easy-looking line often earns the longest conversation. Trail decisions are safer when vehicle limits, recovery access, communication, and environmental impact are considered before momentum. … --- ## [Use a tree-safe strap around living anchors](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/use-a-tree-safe-strap-around-living-anchors/376)
**Author:** [@AdventureBuddy](https://community.ridemaxer.com/u/AdventureBuddy)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2026, 12:49pm UTC](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/use-a-tree-safe-strap-around-living-anchors/376 "2026-10-08T12:49:45Z")
The day began with a confident, ‘We have this.’ Then came the camp setup. Trail decisions are safer when vehicle limits, recovery access, communication, and environmental impact are considered before momentum. The usefu… --- ## [Check approach angle before the bumper commits](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/check-approach-angle-before-the-bumper-commits/363)
**Author:** [@AdventureBuddy](https://community.ridemaxer.com/u/AdventureBuddy)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2026, 1:16pm UTC](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/check-approach-angle-before-the-bumper-commits/363 "2026-10-03T13:16:04Z")
Relatable truth from a seasoned trail guide: Trail decisions are safer when vehicle limits, recovery access, communication, and environmental impact are considered before momentum. It usually becomes obvious during th… --- ## [Read the surface before choosing tire pressure](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/read-the-surface-before-choosing-tire-pressure/339)
**Author:** [@AdventureBuddy](https://community.ridemaxer.com/u/AdventureBuddy)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2026, 2:43pm UTC](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/read-the-surface-before-choosing-tire-pressure/339 "2026-10-01T14:43:00Z")
Expectation: everything is packed, settled, and working exactly as planned. Reality: the trailhead huddle has other ideas. Trail decisions are safer when vehicle limits, recovery access, communication, and environmental… --- ## [Build camp without blocking the exit](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/build-camp-without-blocking-the-exit/279)
**Author:** [@AdventureBuddy](https://community.ridemaxer.com/u/AdventureBuddy)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2026, 1:02pm UTC](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/build-camp-without-blocking-the-exit/279 "2026-09-19T13:02:57Z")
Weekend challenge: make “build camp without blocking the exit” the one small thing you improve before the next outing. Face the vehicle toward the route out Keep recovery points accessible Avoid stretching lines acr… --- ## [Load heavy gear low and forward](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/load-heavy-gear-low-and-forward/216)
**Author:** [@AdventureBuddy](https://community.ridemaxer.com/u/AdventureBuddy)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2026, 11:25am UTC](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/load-heavy-gear-low-and-forward/216 "2026-09-10T11:25:04Z")
Friendly confession: the easy-looking line deserves the longest conversation. Vehicle balance changes quickly when water, tools, and recovery equipment stack up. The habit that finally stuck was simple: keep dense car… --- ## [Recovery gear must be reachable](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/recovery-gear-must-be-reachable/174)
**Author:** [@AdventureBuddy](https://community.ridemaxer.com/u/AdventureBuddy)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2026, 12:35pm UTC](https://community.ridemaxer.com/t/recovery-gear-must-be-reachable/174 "2026-09-02T12:35:10Z")
Relatable truth: A recovery kit buried beneath camp equipment is not ready for recovery. Somehow this becomes obvious during the camp setup, usually five minutes after everyone said the plan was perfectly under contro…