A winch kit is an essential piece of safety equipment if you travel on harder trails than your average fire road. It'll help you self-recover if you get stuck. Plus, you can use your Wrangler’s winch to help another vehicle get out of a tough spot.

A winch kit is usually mounted on the front bumper. You’ll need to make sure that your bumper is winch-capable. Once you have one, the installation is easy and straightforward.

Just be sure the weight capacity is enough for your Jeep and any vehicles you may recover. As a general rule, you should get a winch that has a capacity greater than twice your vehicle weight. So if you have a four-door JL Rubicon with a GVWR of 5,800 lbs., your winch capacity should be at least 11,600 lbs.

Make sure you also have a proper attaching point for your winch hook. D-ring shackles are a standard option for off-roaders. Other types of winch hooks and shackles are also available. A soft shackle is a modern option that's made of sturdy and lightweight synthetic rope.

You can also add winch accessories to further upgrade your set-up. A winch cradle will keep it secured in place, while a fairlead will ensure the line spools cleanly.

Sometimes, a winch isn’t quite the right tool for the job. In that case, recovery ropes or straps might be a better option. By using kinetic force, they’ll help you pull a vehicle to safety.