Well, Recovery gear can be your best friend or your biggest headache. I always try to have really dependable gear. It is the last thing you need to fail. In some situations, if your recovery gear fails it could be life threatening. For example, if you are stuck in the snow, can't get out and not prepared for a long walk in the winter!
Warn stuff is great. There is a reason it is the best selling brand in winches and has been for a long time. With that being said, it is also one of the most expensive names to buy. That is a big part of the price, name. YOu can get similar quality winches by other companies for less money. I would do whatever gives you the best peace of mind and I wouldn't go with a brand you have never personally used and trust.
I personally have been using Tabor for the last few years. It is made by Warn. It is thier entry level brand name. Yah, it dosn't have the same line speed and may get a little hotter or be short in the specs compared to the comprable Warn but it is also like half the price. It is also rebuildable like the Warns and uses many of the same parts so repair and maintenance is easy. I have used it quite a bit and I have never had even the slightest issue. It does get warm (especially when braking) so if you go with synthetic line be sure to get some fire line (made to not break down under high temps on the drum).
As far as the kits go, they seem pretty good. They don't seem to squeeze in items you will never use. The price just gets me though. I have always just bought the stuff seperatley.
Some items you WILL need are:
Shackles
Tree saver
Extension (between the stuff on the winch and the extension I like to have a MINIMUM of 150 ft, if not more)
Tow straps
Gloves
Snatch block
If you go with cable then a blanket to put over the line
I personally like to use synthetic though
I also have been wanting to get a small colapsable sand bridge but havn't gotten one yet. I spend a lot of time in the snow and think that could come in handy
For recovery, one of the very first mods I would do is to make sure you have good front AND rear tow points. That is the biggest things people miss. Also, your best freind is a Hi-lift. Problem is it is useless if you do not have jacking points. Preference would be to have two shackles on the front bumper, pwo on the rear and lifting points on the sides (like sliders).
Other then that, a shovel and axe come in handy. Don't forget some clothes. Chances are, if you are stuck it isn't pretty, mud, snow, water, whatever. I also keep an old pair of snow pants, gloves, rain jacket, boots, etc. Sometimes when your stuck it could be awhile!
In addition, I carry tools and a nice overlooked item can be a spill blanket. something to throw down under a leak or if you need to change a power steering hose that can absord the spill.
Al and all, I would say you could never have too much, or too high of quality recovery gear, spare parts and tools, lol.
