Let's talk Winches

[BLACK-FL4RUNNER]

I used the piss out of my shittybuilt xrc8 on my jeep. Seems like I was always recovering other people. It never let me down. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another. Every brand winch can fail.

Some people need a name to make them feel good.

 

[Simpleman74]

Warn M8000-S FTW

 

[Sled Driver]

My brother has a ComeUp (i forget the model) on his 100 series LC. He likes it a lot, and it's definitely gotten plenty of use.

 

[wfo9]

I used the piss out of my shittybuilt xrc8 on my jeep. Seems like I was always recovering other people. It never let me down. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another. Every brand winch can fail.

Some people need a name to make them feel good.

I sort of agree, My shittybuilt (I mean smittybuilt) works great and seems to have taken a crap load of abuse over the years ( I have no idea how old it is but I'm guessing it is from the late 90s). However, the newer ones look and feel flimsy to me, I know that is not a good way to judge something...

I've had the engo and my old smittybuilt in my hands and I'm pretty sure they are very similar if not identical designs Maybe engo got the old smittybuilt factory or something. I'm guessing they simply ODM contract this stuff out in china like everything else these days.

The Smittybuilt is by far the best value (if they hold together...) Their entire winch with synthetic line is just a little more expensive than quality line. They are tempting to try. They have a horrible reputation, but my experience with the few things i have with their name on it has also been good.

Sometimes I think people in the 4x4 world are a bit too into the brand and some brands get a bad reputation just because they start selling at 4wheel parts... and are no longer a boutique brand. I have a lot of trail gear stuff on my 89. The stuff is pretty good and I have never really had a problem with any of it, yet they have a horrible reputation in the cool kids crowed. I try not to get too caught up in that BS, but its hard to separate fact from fiction until you have had first hand experience with it.

 

[wfo9]

[MENTION=106176]wfo9[/MENTION] I have the Engo 10000S. I haven't had to use it very much but it has worked very well. You already know how to install it too ;-).


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Yep, I'll probably end up with it also. Dropping 1500 on something I will use here and there... just can''t do that. Now 1500 on new tires... That is 100% justified LOL

 

[JEMP1003]

Another vote for the Warn M8000-S. Not as expensive as the premium line, but it is still well built, unlike the VR range which is the one with the most negative feedback.

8000lbs is about what you need for our trucks, yes it's nice to have a higher load capacity but not required.

 

[HerT4R]

Guess it really depends on:
How much are you going to use it?
Do you have the extra money to spend on it?

You can replace three for the price of one, but if the one breaks/fails when you really need it who cares? Right? Anyway chance of failure is anybodies guess, really though apart from breaking a cable/hook, seems not too likely.

For what it's worth. I really wanted to pick a Warn Xeon, I had the money, I just couldn't make myself do it, bought a imported Superwinch Talon 12.5k instead for $725 (wire rope) on sale. The thing is ridiculous. I haven't put it under any serious loads yet, it has pulled me out of a sloppy deep mud pit, and a few other medium tugs and the thing doesn't even stress. Wicked fast spooler too, it is almost scary.

what he said ^^^

superwinch for the win. they have a whole host of options and trims and sizes and the tigershark 9.5s is less than 500 shipped to your door in 2 days (if you are an amazon prime member)

sounds like a great deal if you ask me, bc i have one and so do a few of my wheeling friends and they have never let us down. we are split among the synthetic and wire though. and each has performed flawlessly when we needed it.

:hippie:

 

[cbielat]

Guess it really depends on:
How much are you going to use it?
Do you have the extra money to spend on it?

You can replace three for the price of one, but if the one breaks/fails when you really need it who cares? Right? Anyway chance of failure is anybodies guess, really though apart from breaking a cable/hook, seems not too likely.

For what it's worth. I really wanted to pick a Warn Xeon, I had the money, I just couldn't make myself do it, bought a imported Superwinch Talon 12.5k instead for $725 (wire rope) on sale. The thing is ridiculous. I haven't put it under any serious loads yet, it has pulled me out of a sloppy deep mud pit, and a few other medium tugs and the thing doesn't even stress. Wicked fast spooler too, it is almost scary.

I have the Talon 12.5 with synthetic. Didn't even come close to struggling when last used.

 

[Miguelon]

I have the Talon 12.5 with synthetic. Didn't even come close to struggling when last used.

I run a Ramsey 9500 on front and a Bulldog 12000 on back. Both has never given me a bit of trouble and have been used a great deal.

The one component I strongly recommend you include, no matter what winch you use is a wireless remote.

 

[wfo9]

I run a Ramsey 9500 on front and a Bulldog 12000 on back. Both has never given me a bit of trouble and have been used a great deal.

The one component I strongly recommend you include, no matter what winch you use is a wireless remote.

Really, I actually can't stand them personally. Would much rather go old school and use the wired remote.

 

[Miguelon]

Really, I actually can't stand them personally. Would much rather go old school and use the wired remote.

What is the downside? I can imagine any reason why someone would rather be tethered to the rig. The wireless has a range of about 30 yards.....to me that is a huge advantage

 

[Jetboy]

Fwiw, I have three winches. A warn 8274, a HF 8000lb, and a superwinch 9500lb. The warn has broken multiple times including solenoids, spur gear fracture, broken housing twice, and a motor failure. The hf has slight solenoid issues at times where it takes a few clicks to get moving. The superwinch has been flawless.

I've also used the warn much more and much harder.

In today's market they are all pretty good. Even the cheapest ones. Warn isn't magic. I've broken their best winch way to many times. But it's old tech. If size and weight and money were no option id only have the 8274. But IMO the other brands are more than adequate for occasional use. My hf one is ten years old. Still works well. It's pulled hundreds of times without falling. Never had any maintenance. And it was 250.

For my 4runner the superwinch was a nice upgrade to better sealed solenoids, synthetic rope, and synthetic designed drum and brake. I set it up with wire or wireless remote. For my money its perfect. Quality is high. Cost was low. Great features. And for my moderate use it has been perfectly reliable.

 

[wfo9]

What is the downside? I can imagine any reason why someone would rather be tethered to the rig. The wireless has a range of about 30 yards.....to me that is a huge advantage

less is more for me. I like to keep things as simple as possible unless there is a huge advantage. I've seen the remotes fail a few times or not be 100% responsive (that is the part that spooks me the most).

Synthetic line is a huge advantage to me (it has some minor down sides, but the advantages far out weigh the few minor downsides), remote... not so much. I can see a few situations where a remote would be handy, but I've never wished for a remote with my wired winch. I know you can have both and that might be OK, but I don't see it as a necessity at all.

 

[Bootleg]

I've decided that when the time comes for me to get a winch I'm getting the Superwinch TS 9500 SR. Plenty of power, synthetic line, and $510. I've heard nothing but great things about SW and their price point is way more palatable. take off the hook and add a Factor 55 FlatLink... money. :reddance:

 

[sandcrawler]

op2:

 

[cbielat]

I run a Ramsey 9500 on front and a Bulldog 12000 on back. Both has never given me a bit of trouble and have been used a great deal.

The one component I strongly recommend you include, no matter what winch you use is a wireless remote.

Is your wireless controller paired to your phone, and if so, is there any lag time while operating it?

 

[Miguelon]

Is your wireless controller paired to your phone, and if so, is there any lag time while operating it?

Not on phone. It is a key fob type. Never seen any lag. Ill post a link to it

 

[Miguelon]

https://m.summitracing.com/parts/rw...ramsey-winch&gclid=CJ-qlZjOuc4CFYeFaQodGpcKEQ

 

[nevada]

Really, I actually can't stand them personally. Would much rather go old school and use the wired remote.

personally, I prefer to have a manual switch wired in. I have one out at the front bumper, and one inside the cab. I plan to add one more on the bumper, on the drivers side. so I can easily wind the cable back in, regardless of the terrain, or wear im standing.
I haven't used the wired remote in years.

im with you, I cant justify the expense of the high dollar WARNS. I run Rugged Ridge winches. an 8500, and a 10,500. I prefer the 8500, as its a fair amount faster, but they have been excellent winches. the 8.5 was under $300, the 10.5 was under $400. there are at least 2 others in my group that run the 8500's also, they love them. especially for the price. I believe they are a copy of the old Tmax winches. as I have "TMAX" molded on the inside of the gear case cover.