Since you are asking this question I am going to assume you have never had a winch.
That being said, do yourself a favor when you are pulling throw something like a old blanket, fender cover, tarp, jacket, anything, branches, rope, something, over the winch cable, if you have ever seen a winch cable, or an anchor chain, snap you wouldnt skip that part of using a winch.
You wont even have time to duck before a 10 pound ****** block removes half of your face, or your wifes, or kids, dog, etc.

 

I picked up a tuuf stuff winch on e-bay rated at 12,500 lbs. and it came with the ****** block and the 3/8" heavy cable that should be plenty. It cost about $369.00.