How to Use an ATV Winch Safely: A Step-by-Step Can-Am Winch Guide for Snow, Mud and Plowing in Ontario

To use an ATV winch safely, plan the pull, anchor to a tree protection strap or another solid point, make sure the free-spool is back in gear, take up the slack, hang a jacket over the middle of the line and winch in slowly with the engine idling while everyone stays out of the rope's path. Always keep at least eight turns of rope on the drum, and never hook the rope back onto itself. These rules come straight from BRP's Can-Am HD winch user's guide, and they apply whether you are pulling an Outlander out of a snowbank or lifting a plow blade.

Key Takeaways

• BRP's Can-Am HD winch user's guide says to always keep at least eight turns of rope or cable on the winch drum, so the rope cannot pull loose under load.
• A sweater or jacket hung over the midpoint of the winch line sends a broken rope down toward the ground instead of flying back at people, according to BRP.
• A pulley block (snatch block) can double the pulling power of an ATV winch and lets you pull at an angle that the winch cannot manage in a straight line.
• Can-Am HD winches are rated at 2,500 lb (HD 2500), 3,500 lb (HD 3500) and 4,500 lb (HD 4500), and BRP says to always leave a safety factor below that rating.
• Never use an ATV winch to lift people or objects, never put your hand on the rope while winching, and always use the hand strap on the hook.
• Synthetic winch rope is lighter and easier to handle than steel cable, and BRP's synthetic ATV winch cable must be used with a hawse fairlead.

Picture a grey December afternoon on a back lane near Creemore. The Outlander dropped a front wheel into a snow-filled ditch, the tires just spin, and there is a maple about 15 metres ahead. Most riders have a winch on the front of their ATV, yet many have never used it until a moment like this. Ten minutes of practice in the driveway now makes that afternoon a two-minute fix instead of a long walk home.

Ontario winters are when a winch earns its keep. Riders near our Collingwood location face deep lake-effect snow in Grey County and Simcoe County, and riders near our Oakville location in Halton deal with slush, ice and spring mud. The same winch also lifts the blade on a Can-Am ProMount plow, so it works every time you clear the driveway.

This guide covers the gear you need, the steps BRP lists for a safe pull, how to rewind the rope, steel cable vs synthetic rope, and how to winch with a plow. Shop Can-Am parts and Can-Am accessories in Canada online, or see the full Can-Am off-road lineup. We finish with a winch comparison table and answers to common questions.

How Does an ATV Winch Work?

An ATV winch is a small electric motor that turns a drum, winding in a rope or steel cable to pull your machine toward an anchor point. It runs off the ATV's battery and is controlled by a handlebar switch or a remote. Can-Am HD winches have an automatic load-holding brake, so the rope stays put when you let go of the switch.

Three parts matter most when you use one:

• The free-spool knob. Free-spool disconnects the drum from the motor so you can pull rope out by hand. On Can-Am HD winches you turn the knob at the end of the winch to disengage the brake, and BRP says to always re-engage it before winching in.
• The fairlead. The fairlead is the guide the rope passes through on the bumper. A roller fairlead suits steel cable, and a hawse fairlead (a smooth aluminum guide) suits synthetic rope.
• The hook and hand strap. The hook has a latch that must be closed, and the hand strap lets you guide the hook without putting your fingers near the fairlead.

What Gear Do You Need Before You Use an ATV Winch?

You need gloves, eye protection and a small rigging kit before you ever pull. BRP's Can-Am winch guide recommends carrying a winch remote, a sling, a pulley block, a tree protection strap and shackles on your vehicle, all rated for more than the winch's maximum pull.

• Full-fingered leather work gloves. They protect your hands from cuts. Snug gloves grip the rope without catching on it.
• Safety goggles. BRP says to use good-quality safety goggles and not to wear tinted glasses at night, because they make colours harder to see.
• Tree protection strap. A wide strap wraps around the tree so the rope never touches the bark. Never wrap the winch rope itself around a tree and hook it back onto itself.
• Pulley block (snatch block). A pulley block lets you change the direction of the pull or double the pulling power.
• Shackles and a sling. These connect the strap, block and hook securely.
• Winch remote. A remote lets you stand outside the danger zone with a clear view of the whole pull.

Two Can-Am kits cover most of this. The Can-Am Winch Accessories Kit ($159.99) includes tree straps, a snatch block, a shackle and winching gloves. The Can-Am Winch Accessory Kit ($154.99) is made for synthetic rope and includes a soft shackle, a recovery ring and an 8-foot tree saver strap in a carry bag. The Can-Am Wireless Winch Remote ($199.99) works up to 50 feet (15.2 m) away. Prices were checked at shop.energypowersports.ca on November 10, 2026.

How Do You Use an ATV Winch Step by Step?

To use an ATV winch, plan the pull, rig a solid anchor, take up the slack, add a line damper and winch in slowly with the engine idling. These steps follow the order in BRP's Can-Am HD winch user's guide.

1. Look at the whole scene and plan the safest pull. Choose a solid anchor such as a healthy tree, a large stump or another vehicle that is blocked in place. Pull as straight as possible.
2. Make sure no bystanders are at risk. Keep everyone well clear of the rope's path, and send kids and pets back to the truck or the house.
3. Agree on a plan with your helper. BRP lists three hand signals: arm up with your finger making circles means winch in, arm down with your finger making circles means winch out, and a raised closed fist means stop.
4. Free-spool the rope out. Turn the free-spool knob, walk the hook out to the anchor with the hand strap, and pull out as much rope as you need.
5. Rig the anchor. Wrap the tree protection strap around the tree, join its ends with a shackle, and attach the hook so the load sits in the centre of the hook with the latch closed.
6. Re-engage the free-spool. The drum must be fully locked to the motor before you pull, or the rope can release under load.
7. Take up the slack slowly. Winch in until the rope and rigging are just tight, then check every connection again.
8. Hang a jacket or sweater over the middle of the line. BRP says this makes the rope or cable fall downward if it breaks.
9. Start the engine and let it idle. BRP recommends running the engine at idle while winching so the battery doesn't drain. If you operate from the seat, make sure the vehicle is stable and hold the brakes.
10. Winch in slowly and watch the whole work zone. Proceed slowly and carefully, listen to the motor and stop if it strains.
11. Secure the ATV, then release the tension. Once the machine is on solid ground, set the parking brake, then winch out a little to take the load off the rope before you remove the rigging.

How Many Wraps Should Stay on the Winch Drum?

At least eight turns of rope or cable should always stay on the drum of a Can-Am HD winch, according to BRP. The end of the rope is not designed to hold the load by itself, so the wraps on the drum do the holding. Stop and re-rig closer to the anchor if you are about to run out.

Why Does a Winch Pull Harder With More Rope Out?

A winch pulls hardest when most of the rope is off the drum. Winch maker WARN explains that winches are rated to pull their maximum load on the first layer of rope, and the pulling power drops as more layers build up on the drum. For a hard pull, anchor farther away or use a pulley block so more rope is spooled out.

How Do You Double the Pulling Power With a Pulley Block?

You double the pulling power of an ATV winch by running the rope through a pulley block attached to the anchor and bringing the hook back to a solid point on your own ATV. This setup is called a double line. The pull is slower, but it puts roughly half the load on the winch, and BRP's troubleshooting section recommends it when the load is above the winch's capacity.

A pulley block also helps when the only good anchor is off to the side. Anchor the block to that tree and run the rope through it, so the rope reaches your ATV in a straight line from the fairlead instead of rubbing against the side of it. BRP warns never to route the rope so it rubs against any surface.

What Should You Never Do With an ATV Winch?

You should never use an ATV winch to lift people or objects, never put your hand on the rope while winching, and never stand in the rope's path. BRP's Can-Am winch guide lists these as the most important rules.

• Never lift or hoist. A winch is for pulling, not lifting loads off the ground.
• Never hook the rope back onto itself. Use a sling or tree protection strap instead.
• Never put your fingers in the hook. Keep your hands away from the space between the hook and the fairlead, and always use the hand strap.
• Never disengage the free-spool while the rope is under tension. The rope will release suddenly.
• Never exceed the winch's rating. Always leave a safety factor, and use rigging rated at least as high as the winch.
• Never run the winch nonstop. BRP warns that continuous use overheats the motor or trips the circuit breakers. If that happens, wait several minutes for it to cool down.
• Never winch when tired, ill or after drinking. Slow reactions are dangerous around a loaded rope.

How Do You Rewind an ATV Winch Rope Safely?

You rewind an ATV winch rope with a little tension on it, one arm-length at a time, so the wraps sit tight and even on the drum. Loose wraps can jam, damage the rope or let it slip suddenly the next time you pull.

BRP describes two ways to do it:

• With a helper. Your helper holds the rope tight while standing at least 1.84 m (6 ft) away from the vehicle, and walks it in hand over hand without letting it slide through their gloves. When their rear hand nears the hook, the operator stops, the helper grabs the hand strap, and the winch finishes.
• Alone. Pull a light load to keep tension, or hold the remote in one hand and the rope in the other, staying as far from the fairlead as you can. Winch in one arm-length at a time, then stop near the hook and finish with the hand strap.

Stop when the hook rests gently against the fairlead. Pulling it in tight can damage the hook, the fairlead and the winch.

Is Synthetic Winch Rope or Steel Cable Better for an ATV?

Synthetic winch rope is the better choice for most ATV riders because it is lighter and easier to handle than steel cable, especially with winter gloves. Steel cable is cheaper and more resistant to abrasion, but it can kink and form broken wire strands that cut your hands.

Feature	Synthetic winch rope	Steel cable
Weight and handling	Lighter and easier to handle	Heavier and stiffer
Fairlead	Hawse fairlead	Roller fairlead
What to inspect	Cuts, fraying and wear spots	Kinks, tight loops and broken wire strands
Abrasion	Needs protection from sharp edges and rocks	Handles abrasion better
Can-Am example	HD 3500-S with 50 ft (15.2 m) of 3/16 in. synthetic rope	HD 2500 and HD 3500 with steel cable

To switch, the Can-Am synthetic ATV winch cable is 50 feet (15.2 m) long, rated to 3,500 lb (1,588 kg), includes a rock guard sleeve and costs $189.99. Can-Am says to always use it with a new hawse fairlead (part 715004255). If you are shopping for synthetic winch rope for an ATV, our parts team can confirm which rope fits your winch.

How Do You Use an ATV Winch With a Can-Am Plow?

On a Can-Am ProMount plow, the winch raises and lowers the blade. You winch in to lift the blade for travel and winch out to drop it before you push snow. Can-Am's own plowing blog notes that many ATV plow systems use the existing winch to lift the blade.

Plowing is hard on a winch rope because it makes many short, sharp-angle pulls. The Can-Am Synthetic Winch Cable for plowing ($64.99) is an 8-foot (2.4 m) piece of extra-strong synthetic rope that you swap in for plow season, so your main recovery rope stays in good shape. Swap the full-length rope back in for trail rides, where you may need to pull yourself out.

When plowing, lift the blade only until it clears the ground, and let the motor rest between passes on a long driveway. If you are still choosing a setup, browse our ATV plow kit and Can-Am plow collection.

Which Can-Am Winch Is Right for Your ATV?

The right Can-Am winch depends on your machine's size and how you use it. The HD 2500 suits smaller ATVs, the HD 3500 is the all-round choice for most Outlanders, and the HD 4500 adds pull for heavier MAX models and hard work. Many Can-Am Outlander XT trims already come with a winch, so check your model first.

Can-Am winch	Rated pull	Motor (BRP spec)	Best for	Shop price from (Nov 10, 2026)
Can-Am HD 2500	2,500 lb (1,134 kg)	0.8 kW (1.1 hp)	Smaller ATVs and plow lifting	$329.99
Can-Am HD 3500	3,500 lb (1,587 kg)	1.1 kW (1.5 hp)	Most Outlander owners, trail recovery and plowing	$379.99
Can-Am HD 3500-S (synthetic rope)	3,500 lb (1,588 kg)	—	Riders who want lighter, glove-friendly rope	$469.99
Can-Am HD 4500	4,500 lb (2,041 kg)	1.2 kW (1.6 hp)	Heavier ATVs, MAX models and hard work	$454.99

Prices vary by platform (G2, G3L or G3), so check the fitment line on each winch or send us your VIN. Our ATV winch buyer's guide compares every model in more detail.

How Do You Look After an ATV Winch in Winter?

You look after an ATV winch by inspecting it before every ride and cleaning it after muddy or salty use. BRP's pre-ride checklist covers the rope, the fairlead, the hook latch, the hand strap, the switch wiring, the free-spool and the battery.

• Rope or cable. Replace synthetic rope with cuts or fraying, and steel cable with kinks or broken strands.
• Fairlead. Clear out ice and grit, and check that rollers turn smoothly.
• Hook and hand strap. The latch must close, and the hand strap must always stay on the hook.
• Battery. Cold weather weakens batteries, and a winch draws a lot of power. Keep the battery charged and the terminals tight.
• Brake wear. BRP says a winch that lets the load slip back more than it used to has a worn brake, which means the winch needs replacing.

Our service department can inspect your winch, install a new rope or fairlead and check your battery before the snow arrives.

Winching Near Our Oakville and Collingwood Locations

Collingwood, Grey County and the Georgian Bay Snowbelt

Riders around our Collingwood location, from Wasaga Beach and Stayner to Thornbury, Meaford and Owen Sound, get heavy lake-effect snow off Georgian Bay. Deep drifts on farm lanes and bush trails make a winch, a tree saver strap and a pulley block part of the basic kit. Carry them every ride, because the deepest snow is usually farthest from help.

Oakville, Halton and the GTA

Riders near our Oakville location in Halton, Milton and Burlington see more ice, slush and freeze-thaw mud than deep snow. Ditches and icy slopes are the usual trouble spots, and a winch is also the easiest way to lift a plow blade when the driveway needs clearing. Before you ride an ATV anywhere in winter, read our guide on whether ATVs are allowed on snowmobile trails in Ontario, and add ATV snow tracks if you ride deep snow often.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you use an ATV winch by yourself?

To use an ATV winch by yourself, free-spool the rope out to a tree protection strap, re-engage the drum, take up the slack, hang a jacket over the line and winch in slowly with a remote while standing clear. A wireless remote, such as the Can-Am Wireless Winch Remote ($199.99), lets you work up to 50 feet (15.2 m) from the ATV.

How many wraps should stay on an ATV winch drum?

BRP says to always keep at least eight turns of rope or cable on the drum of a Can-Am HD winch. The wraps hold the load, not the rope's end fitting, so stop and re-rig before the drum runs low.

Should the engine be running when you use an ATV winch?

Yes, BRP recommends keeping the ATV's engine running at idle while winching so the battery doesn't drain. If you operate the winch from the seat, make sure the ATV is stable and hold the brakes.

Can you use an ATV winch to lift something?

No, you should never use an ATV winch to lift people or objects or as a hoist, according to BRP. The exception is a plow blade, which Can-Am plow systems are designed to raise with the winch.

What is the best ATV winch cable for winter?

Synthetic winch rope is the best ATV winch cable for winter for most riders, because it is lighter and easier to handle with gloves than steel cable. The Can-Am synthetic ATV winch cable is 50 feet long, rated to 3,500 lb and costs $189.99, and it must be used with a hawse fairlead.

Why does my ATV winch stop working during a long pull?

An ATV winch usually stops during a long pull because the motor got hot and the circuit breakers tripped. BRP says to let the motor and breakers cool for several minutes, then continue with short pulls, or use a pulley block to cut the load.

Where can I buy Can-Am winches and parts in Canada?

You can buy Can-Am winches, winch rope and recovery kits at Energy Powersports in Oakville and Collingwood, Ontario, or online at shop.energypowersports.ca, which ships Canada-wide. Energy Powersports is an authorized BRP dealer for Can-Am parts and accessories.

Is there a Can-Am dealer near Wasaga Beach or Owen Sound?

Yes, Energy Powersports Collingwood at 180 Mountain Rd, Unit 101, is a Can-Am dealer close to Wasaga Beach, the Blue Mountains, Meaford and Owen Sound. Call 705-532-2277 for parts, service or a new ATV.

Are there deals on a new Can-Am ATV this month?

Yes, BRP's November 2026 ATV promotion offers savings of up to $1,000 or up to 3 years of coverage on select 2026 ATV models. See our promotions page for current offers and full terms.

Visit Us

Oakville: 879 Cranberry Court, Oakville, Ontario, L6L 6J7. Call 905-901-5500.

Collingwood: 180 Mountain Rd, Unit 101, Collingwood, Ontario, L9Y 3Z9. Call 705-532-2277.

Be Ready Before You Get Stuck

The best time to learn your winch is on a calm day in your own driveway, not in a snowy ditch. Shop Can-Am parts in Canada, winch rope and recovery kits online, book a winch inspection or install with our service department, browse new Can-Am ATV inventory, or visit either location and our team will help you set up the right winch for your machine.