Cheap winch: Road Shock 10,000 LB

[disassociative]

I've been reading up on the complicated and convoluted industry that is the recovery winch. My preference is for moderate to moderately difficult trails and expect my winch will get most its use in pulling out fellow wheelers. All the same, there isn't much point to having a winch on my rig that isn't guaranteed to pull it out of whatever situation I find myself in need of recovery.

That said, I have an '88 FJ62 that I am outfitting for expedition trips. Between the custom bumpers, skid plates, rocker panels, roof rack, tent and whatever other goodies I decide to put inside I imagine I'll be pushing the 7,000 LB mark regularly. I have the opportunity to purchase a 10,000 LB Road Shock winch for cheap right now. I can't find much information on it and am wondering if anybody has experience or has heard about these units.

$300 is cheap for a winch, but expensive for a bumper ornament...

Thanks

 

[greentruck]

Road Shock is the HF automotive brand. One of their winches rated pretty well against brand name ones in a comparison test a couple of years back. On the other hand, most winches other than Warn and Mile-Marker come out of the same factory in China. User experience all depends on how the buyer spec-ed the winch and what QC they've done along the way.

I had a good deal on one of these with a rain check, but they couldn't deliver, so I found a little more expensive deal on a Smittybilt XRC12 that I've been very happy with.

I think there are two issues that the user has control over that directly impacts how it'll perform. First, wiring. Make sure you do that right, even to the point of throwing out the cheap cables that tend to come with these winches. Second, do not overheat your winch. Especially with the >8k capacity planetary models, you can get a bunch of heat going in very short order. Check the motor - careful, it'll burn you if you're not paying attention - often and give the motor a chance to cool and the battery to recharge.

I only plan to use our planetary winch for self-recovery, unless it's an emergency. If I played in the mud regularly with friends, I'd recommend choosing differently.

Why? If you're going to spend a lot of time pulling out other people, you should carefully consider if this is the right winch for you. I'd recommend a Warn 8274 instead. Good, reliable winch that pulls more than its 8k rating would indicate, it also has a higher line speed and doesn't overheat as easily as the planetary designs. More expensive, but...used ones show up.

 

[73fj40lc]

I believe that your title (cheap) has the answer to your question. Most winches are used infrequently or several times over a short period. Cheap winches will tend to corrode and become less reliable over alot shorter time than the better quality winches. All winches need PM but they are overlooked by most owners. When I have needed my winches I realllly needed them. Nobody needs to haul around a bumper ornament that won't work when you need it. Your money and your risk but I would invest in a used quality winch rather than get a cheap new one.

 

[PAToyota]

$300 is cheap for a winch, but expensive for a bumper ornament...

I'm voting for expensive bumper ornament.

I know people with HF winches on trailers and in shops to do basic pulling duties that have been fairly pleased with them. Other than going out with the trailer to pick something up and not having the winch work - thus wasting the trip, the next worst scenario is that you haul the thing back to HF and get it replaced when it doesn't work.

For a recovery winch, I see higher consequences when it doesn't work and would opt for a name-brand winch that I had a fair level of confidence in.

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

I'd say that is likely a waste of your $300!

If you are building a serious expedition vehicle you want everything to be durable and reliable, right?? So why do you think some cheapo electric winch will be there when you need it?

If you want a 10K electric recovery winch go with one of the proven performers:
like Warn, Superwinch Husky, or the Ramsey "RE" series. Yes, they are expensive, but worth the $$ for the reliable performance.

Regards,

Alan

 

[disassociative]

Thanks to everyone for the replies, they confirmed what I was suspecting and I didn't end up getting the winch. I'll be saving my money for a Warn.

 

[73fj40lc]

Thanks to everyone for the replies, they confirmed what I was suspecting and I didn't end up getting the winch. I'll be saving my money for a Warn.

In the long run you will glad that you waited to get a quality winch.

 

[46/71 Hybrid]

I have a HF winch that I've used an estimated 500 times without a single hiccup. I know people fixate on the price but I'd like to see a true comparison where they take them apart, look at wearable parts, etc.

I regularly travel to backwoods Ethiopia in my truck and never give a single thought that I have a HF model instead of a Warn or other big name brand. Sure it's slow, but it's never failed to get the job done.

In addition to my winch, my cousin also uses one on the farm and it's never struggled to keep up, and he works it HARD. Between the two of us, we've definitely put them to the test and feel they've passed with flying colors.

 

[greentruck]

46/71,
I'll just speak for myself here.

I was considering a HF 10k myself. Then the local HF kept giving me the runaround on covering the raincheck I had for one at $299, even though I could see online they were in stock at the warehouse. I didn't consider it inadequate for my needs, but my patience is limited.So...

I found a good deal on the XRC12 for $469 and free shipping. Figured that worked well for me so bought it.

The reason why I recommended the Warn 8274 to the OP was that he said he planned to do a lot of repetitive pulling. I've had 8274s plenty hot, too, but they hold up better to it than a planetary winch will. That includes Warn's own planetarys, although I think they have some now with special cooling designs (fins and fans?) that will help those out with this, I suppose.

Finally, you sound like you've had plenty of experience with winches, so you know how to use them and avoid abusing them. I've got enough experience that I feel I won't abuse what I have now. I was surprised at first at just how fast they get hot even with the relatively light load of packing the cable. I was reminded of this, which I learned with a little ol' Warn 6k planetary, when doing that again after the XRC12 install.

Lots of people still buy a winch, figure it'll get them out of anything easily, get stuck good, then hop right into overheating and, probably, failing to use a snatch block when it's a good idea. Then their brand new Brand Q winch fails. Whoops, friends then say, "Buy Warn!"

Which they do, but having learned their lesson once, they take a little more care with a perhaps somewhat better winch next time they get stuck, maybe not as bad as that time with Brand Q even. OK, we're cooking with gas now, they think. And they learn more as they go along. I think people don't give themselves enough credit for doing things right with a winch. And when there's a failure with a winch, it is oftentimes either an operator error or a poor installation -- doesn't matter what brand it is. People hate even worse blaming themselves when something goes "Poof!"

So "Golly, must've been my cheap winch!"
Warn owners do NOT say that when their winch fails. It cost too much!

So I'm not one of the HF, whatever, etc brand winch-dissers. They serve their purpose and provide good value. Take care of them, like you're doing, and they can be very competitive with the storied Warn for many purposes.

 

[46/71 Hybrid]

Greentruck,
I've heard great things about the XRC12, congrats on the good deal that you were able to take advantage of.

As for the 8274 being superior to planetary gear winches, you'll get no argument from me on that one. The 8274 is a great winch, although a tad overpriced (IMHO) for a new one, especially when an older one can be picked up on the cheap if you look long enough, rebuilt relatively inexpensively, and will last for years. It's also ALOT faster than a HF winch, beware of the slow line speeds on that model.

As for the HF winch, *if used correctly*, it is reliable, dependable, and a quality product (from my anecdotal use). I know more than a few people who use them and the vast majority are happy with it. Of those that aren't, one burned it up after winching a stuck tractor for almost 75 minutes straight (big battery bank), another was mad it wouldn't move his 16k stuck load on a single line pull (village idiot), and the last was mad that it had a slow line pull (umm...read the box before purchasing). The one that burned up was under warranty and HF replaced it no questions asked.

Greentruck is right on the money with his post in that whatever winch you buy, make sure you take care of it and for the most part, it will take care of you. Sure there are lemons and I'll readily admit that HF's quality control isn't as good as Warns, BUT you should always test your equipment before going on any outing where you'll possibly need it. Nothing like trying something for the first time when you're axle deep in mud, way out in the bush, and darkness is fast approaching..

On a price comparison, a HF 10K lb winch can be had for around $240 ($299 sale - 20%) which leaves plenty of $$ for other goodies. If you HF store manager is a jacka__ though and won't treat you right, I can see why you'd go where your money is happily accepted. No point in spending money and supporting folks that don't appreciate it.