Suzuki 4WD Club of Victoria

You're more than welcome to weigh my ARB/Magnum hand winch, I can assure you it doesn't weigh anywhere near 50kg. It's got me out of some jams that no electric winch would. The last time I used my electric winch was the perfect example - I ended up with my car on its side (not unusual for me) but having the front electric winch only didn't allow me to winch the car back onto its wheels, so I had to winch it forward a car length or so until it flopped back over, which destroyed a perfectly good door in the process. With a hand winch this would have been an easy process of winching the car back onto its wheels, and, if necessary, driving against the winch as it was let out to keep the car level whilst I edged forward.

Any "large frame" (i.e 6000lb or larger winch) with it's accompanying mounting bracket, cabling etc will weigh more than a hand winch. In fact, the mounting arrangement alone may weigh more than a hand winch.

When you don't have any front axle load and precious little payload to play with, any weight you can cut is vital when it's not required.

A winch is only required for single vehicle travel in any case, so if you're travelling with others, the hand winch can stay at home, freeing up more space and payload. Not as easy with an electric winch.

Steve.

Oh, as an aside, I run Toyo AT2's on my daily. I think they're quite a good tyre, but I wouldn't choose them as an off road tyre for Victorian conditions. As an outback travel (or summer tyre) I think they'd be fine, but come autumn they'll struggle.

gwagensteve wrote:I ended up with my car on its side (not unusual for me)

Lol. I don't really have any plans to put my little truck on it's side but I suppose nobody ever does and it happens anyway. Sounds like the ARB magnum might be one of my options, thanks. I see your point about needing it for any circumstances and if I'm going out on my own it would be wise to carry something utilitarian. The important thing is that I can lift and use it myself which something especially heavy wouldn't cover too well.

I'm definitely sold on the Hankook MT's so I've just got to rustle up a price. I got quoted $210 per wheel yesterday which was a good price but I was warned off by the final fitted price which wasn't $210. I'm checking my regular tyre joint down in Melbourne, they did me a very good price on my most recent road tyres for the CCC. Don't know what they'll offer me for the Hankooks, the previous set were Bridgestone so they probably had some leeway on pricing. But if it's vaguely decent I'll go with them, I like to do business with shops I can trust.

Aaannnddd I got onto VicRoads. Anything with a selectable 4WD is a 4WD, anything with AWD isn't categorised as a 4WD and standard 15mm tyre size modification limitations apply. Struth, how simple is that !?!

I have paid $180 fitted for the Hankooks from Donellans for years. First set in 2010 and then replacements earlier this year.

I'll give them a call. Thanks Mike.

Got the Hankook 215/75 MT's installed this morning. "Total Tyres" in Oakleigh, $160 each. He also threw me $40 for each of the Bridgestone 205/70's that came with the car (2000 km's on them). Total changeover cost of $600 for 5 tyres fitted and balanced, took about a half an hour.

There's a tiny bit of noise with the Hankook MT's but it's nothing like I'd been warned about, it doesn't even bother me. They do handle differently (as you'd expect) but that's just something to get used to. It doesn't look like a hair dresser's car anymore.

Very chuffed with the whole experience, thought I'd share it.

Cheers.

Total tyres in Oakliegh have been well regarded for many years.
Glad they're still up to the game.