UTV Winch Accessories: What Your Side-by-Side Needs

A winch on your side-by-side is only half of a recovery setup. The other half is the small stuff: the shackle on the end of the line, the strap you wrap around a tree, the soft shackles that connect everything, and the pulley that lets you change the angle of a pull. If any one of those pieces is missing or undersized, the winch can't do its job safely. This guide walks through the winch accessories that matter most on a UTV, what each one does, and how to pick the right size for a lighter machine instead of gear built for full-size trucks.

Start with what's on the end of your winch line

Most UTV winches ship with a steel hook. It works, but a heavy hook swinging on the end of the line is the piece most likely to cause damage if something lets go, and it tends to bang into your fairlead and bumper on the trail. A lot of owners swap it for a recessed aluminum shackle that sits flush with the fairlead when the line is spooled in.

The MOJAB UTV/SXS Aluminum Recessed Winch Shackle with Fairlead Kit is built specifically for side-by-side and UTV winches. The shackle is machined from 6061 billet aluminum, Cerakote coated, and rated for a maximum capacity of 5,000 lbs. Because it's recessed, it sits flush with the fairlead instead of hanging off the front of the machine. It comes in red, black, blue, orange and yellow, so you can match your machine or make the line end easy to spot in the mud.

Before you buy any line-end shackle or fairlead, check two things on your own winch: whether you're running synthetic rope or steel cable, and the bolt pattern on your fairlead mount. Synthetic rope needs a smooth aluminum hawse fairlead, not a roller fairlead that's been chewed up by steel cable. If you aren't sure what your machine has, call us at (601) 771-0070 with your year, model and trim and we'll help you sort it out.

Soft shackles: size them for a UTV, not a truck

Soft shackles have replaced steel D-rings in a lot of UTV recovery bags. They're light, they don't turn into a projectile the way a steel shackle can, and they won't scratch up your bumper or recovery points. The mistake we see is people buying the biggest soft shackle they can find. A shackle that's too thick won't fit through the smaller recovery points and tow loops found on many side-by-sides.

For UTVs, ATVs and lightweight setups, a 1/4 inch shackle is usually the right starting point. The MOJAB 1/4" x 24" Soft Shackle set of 2 is UHMWPE, rated at 13,000 lbs minimum break strength with a 4,400 lb working load limit, and comes with a storage bag and a lifetime warranty. Two is the right number to carry: one for the anchor end and one for the vehicle end, or one to connect a strap to a snatch block.

A tree saver protects the anchor and your line

When you winch off a tree, you should never wrap the winch line itself around the trunk. It damages the bark, and it can damage synthetic rope. A tree saver strap goes around the tree, both ends come together, and you connect your winch line to them with a soft shackle.

The MOJAB 3" x 8' Tree Saver Strap pulls triple duty as a tree saver, tow strap and winch strap. It's nylon with under 7% elongation, so it stays controlled under load instead of stretching like a kinetic rope. It's rated at 35,000 lbs minimum breaking strength with an 11,600 lb working load limit, and it comes with a storage bag. Eight feet is long enough to get around most trees you'll find along a trail without carrying a heavy full-length strap.

A snatch block changes the angle of the pull

Real recoveries rarely line up straight. The best anchor might be off to the side, or the only tree is behind a rock you don't want to drag the line over. A snatch block lets you redirect the winch line around an anchor so you can pull from a better angle. Running the line out to the block and back to your machine (a double-line pull) can also add pulling power when the winch is struggling.

The MOJAB Snatch Pulley Block is forged steel with greasable, serviceable hardware, rated at 50,000 lbs (25T) minimum break strength and 20,000 lbs (10T) working tension. It comes with a canvas storage bag. On a UTV, the snatch block will never be the weak link in the system, so pay attention to the ratings of the shackles and straps you connect to it.

Or start with a kit

If your UTV doesn't have any recovery gear yet, a kit is the simplest way to get the basics in one bag. The MOJAB UTV/SXS Essential Recovery Kit is made specifically for UTVs, ATVs, side-by-sides and small off-road vehicles. It includes a 5/8 inch x 26 ft kinetic recovery rope with a storage bag, two 1/4 inch x 24 inch soft shackles with a storage bag, and a pair of working gloves. It's built for sand, mud and light-duty recoveries where low weight and compact size matter.

Keep in mind that a kinetic rope is for snatch recoveries with a second vehicle, not for winching. Kinetic rope stretches on purpose to store energy, which is the opposite of what you want on a winch pull. A kit plus a tree saver and a snatch block covers both kinds of recovery.

How to match ratings on a UTV setup

Every piece in a recovery is a link in a chain, and the chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Here's a simple way to think about it:

• Know your winch's rated line pull. It's printed on the winch or in its manual. Your shackles, straps and blocks should each have a working load limit at or above what the winch can pull.
• Read the WLL, not just the MBS. Minimum break strength is where the part fails. Working load limit is what it's rated to handle in use. Compare the WLL to your winch.
• Don't oversize for no reason. Truck-sized shackles and straps are heavier and bulkier, and they may not fit your machine's recovery points. Gear sized for UTVs is lighter and easier to rig.
• Inspect before every use. Look for cuts, abrasion and fraying on soft shackles and straps, and retire anything that's damaged.

A few safety habits worth building

Good gear doesn't replace good technique. Keep bystanders well clear of the line during a pull and never step over a loaded line. Drape a heavy jacket, recovery bag or line dampener over the middle of the winch line to slow it down if something breaks. Spool the line in with steady tension, and keep your hands away from the fairlead while it's moving. Wear gloves, and leave a few wraps of line on the drum.

Where to find it all

Everything above, plus winch lines, fairleads, D-shackles, sleeves and straps, is in our winch accessories collection. Every order ships free anywhere in the US and is delivered in 3 to 7 business days. If you want help building a recovery bag for your machine, call us at (601) 771-0070 or email hunter@hunterworks.com and tell us what you ride.