If you are stuck and you want to use the maximum tensile force of your winch, you have to consider how much cable is left on the reel.
The larger the diameter of the coiled assembly, the less the tensile force.
Thus, the winch is strongest at the moment when there are only a few turns left on the roller.
So if you have a tree close by, it may actually be a good idea to take a tree a little further away.
The winch cable then has to be rolled out further, which gives you more power.
Always make sure there are still a few turns of rope around the winch roller. After all, you don’t want to start pulling on the attachment of the cable to the roller, it’s not strong enough for that.