Case Study: Arctic Trucks Partnership

Engineering for the World’s Most Extreme Latitudes

Project Overview: RED Winches provides high-torque, mission-critical recovery systems for Arctic Trucks’ re-engineered vehicle platforms. This partnership focuses on delivering mechanical reliability where failure is not an option—from the high Arctic to the Antarctic plateau.

The Challenge: Performance in Sub-Zero Extremes

Operating in temperatures as low as -50°C presents unique engineering hurdles that standard off-the-shelf winches cannot overcome.

  • Material Brittleness: Standard cast metals can become brittle and crack under shock loads in extreme cold.

  • Lubrication Failure: Traditional greases thicken, significantly increasing internal friction and draining battery power.

  • Ingress & Ice: Fine snow and ice crystals can penetrate seals, freezing internal components solid.

Unveiled at DSEI 2025, Rheinmetall’s new Tactical Vehicle for the UK LMV program features 50% UK content and recovery systems from RED Winches.

The RED Winches Solution

To support Arctic Trucks’ "Explore Without Limits" philosophy, RED Winches utilises aerospace-grade materials and specialised sealing technology.

1. Billet Aluminum Construction

Unlike competitors who use cast components, RED Winches are CNC-machined from solid T6 Billet Aluminum. This provides a superior strength-to-weight ratio and remains structurally stable in extreme thermal cycles, ensuring the winch housing never cracks under tension.

2. Cold-Climate Sealing & Lubrication

  • IP67 / IP68 Protection: Specialised seals prevent the ingress of fine snow and moisture, protecting the gear train and motor.

  • Low-Temp Synthetic Lubricants: We utilise specialised lubricants designed to maintain viscosity at ultra-low temperatures, ensuring instant deployment in polar conditions.

3. The NOMAD Demountable System

For many Arctic Trucks builds, flexibility is key. RED Winches provides the NOMAD demountable system, allowing operators to:

  • Switch the winch between front and rear mounting points.

  • Store the winch inside the vehicle when not in use to protect it from road salt and extreme icing during transit.

4. Military-Grade Reliability

Drawing on our heritage of supplying the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), our systems for Arctic Trucks are built to the same rigorous standards of validation and field-tested durability.

RED Winches Nomad XL mounted on Ineos Grenadier winch mount

"Arctic Trucks demands the best because their customers operate where there are no roads and no help.

Our winches are the literal lifeline for these vehicles, engineered to perform when the environment is at its most hostile."