The winch story is a long and complex one:
Hand winches are not only hard work they are really messy, packing up that wire rope with mud all over it and you'll need to spray WD40 on your wire rope to protect it from moisture damage - that should get your WJ smelling like a workhorse. On the up side, a hand winch can do things a fixed electric winch cannot, like winching out backward and stabilising a tipping vehicle, a must if travelling alone.
Electric winches however practical need servicing and maintaining just like you car does, it's not a "fit and forget" accessory; wire rope needs to be cleaned with WD40, synthetic washed in detergent if dirt, the internals should be serviced every few years regardless of how often it's used and synthetic must be replaced, it depreciates far quicker then wire rope that can last up to ten years if treated well. Then you need to think about your battery, it it's not up for the task you might find yourself out for the night.
As for the come-along, don't risk your life (much less your car), pissing around with equipment not designed for the job at hand and a hi lift with drag chain make a hand winch look like a holiday.
Walking down that track without the experience and equipment to recover your sweet Jeep was the right choice.
2021 Jeep Gladiator
