
How One Winch Saved a $75,000 Ute from the Middle of Nowhere
Buried in the Bush: How a Simple Winch Saved My Weekend — and My Ute
It was meant to be a relaxing weekend away with the boys. We headed out early Friday morning, headed deep into WA’s Wheatbelt region, chasing a track we’d heard about through mates on a 4WD forum.We knew it’d be rugged, but none of us expected how quickly things would go sideways.
By late afternoon, about 30 km from the nearest sealed road, the clouds started rolling in. Red clay under our tyres quickly turned to slick mud. The lead vehicle made it through a shallow crossing — just. I wasn’t so lucky.
I heard the splash, then felt the weight shift — and suddenly, I was stuck.
My Hilux sank fast. All four wheels spinning, the rear tray leaning awkwardly. Water started creeping into the floorpan. The engine still ran, but we weren’t going anywhere.
Then came the worst part: no reception, and forecast storms overnight.
If we didn’t get the ute out now, we were looking at a recovery tow that’d cost more than the holiday — maybe even damage the drivetrain.
That’s when my mate Craig pulled out his Warn Zeon 12,000lb electric winch — a unit he’d bought from Winch World just months earlier.
With a tree anchor, snatch block, and a few shackles, we set up the rig.
The tension in the line was real — and so was the tension in my chest. If the cable snapped or the tree strap failed, someone could get seriously hurt.
But bit by bit, the Hilux started to shift. First the front wheels lifted, then with a surge and a splash, the whole ute broke free.
We were drenched, exhausted — and absolutely buzzing
That winch didn’t just save a weekend trip — it saved my $75,000 ute from being written off by water damage.
If you’ve ever told yourself, “I’ll get a winch later,” let this be a warning. When you’re remote, bogged, and racing daylight, having recovery gear isn’t just convenient — it’s critical.
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