harbor freight winches

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Threads
71
Messages
815
Location
Watkinsville, GA
Anyone have any experiences with their 8K or 12K pound winches. They're on sale presently and according to Off Road mag, they're pretty good.
 
I'm sure you will get told to search or whatever. But I have read they are good just slow. Some guys need to have the w to feel legit. I think I'm gonna go the harbor freight route though. At least give them a shot when I get my arb on.
 
I honestly thought about the "search". I wanted to know about this specific brand. I've a w on my 40. I'm just looking to save from $.
thanks
 
I have a mile marker but it is essentially the same as the HF model. I only pulled line 3-4 times with it (not my rig of course :) ) but it did great. Slow but got the job done no problem.
 
If it is from Harbor Freight is will probably be made in china and not be as good as a base warn or ramsey winch. HF has pretty cheap stuff,
 
FYI, the budget Warn models are made in China now too.

Entirely or just some parts? I saw a post in the winch section in which one of the Warn reps on 'Mud said that "some parts are sourced globally", whatever that means. It didn't sound like the whole which was made in China though. Maybe its changed.

Besides, there probably is some law someplace that says you can claim a product is "Made in America" if it has a certain percentage of parts made in the US and then assembled. It doesn't have to be 100% US parts generally for things to be labeled "Made in the USA" or whatever.
 
iPhones are made in China and $250 world record breaking sports shoes are made in china. Everyone needs to get this 80s mentality out of their heads. China has come a long way when it comes to manufacturing in the last 30 years. Sure, you can find some crappy stuff over there just like you can find some crappy stuff over here. As long as you are actively involved in the materials sourcing and manufacturing processes you can produce a market-leading product in terms of quality.

Here are some items that I took from Newsweek that are now made in China. Im not saying that they make 100% of their items in China, just that they make full products in China

- iPhones, iPods, MacBooks, iPads
- Nike
- Radio Flyer wagons (American Icon)
- Craftsman tools
- Stanley tools
- American flags
- Cannondale bicycles (American brand)
- Chuck Taylos
- IBM computers (now Lenovo)

It is 2011...We live in a global economy.
 
Thanks for all the feedback. I used the search option, something I should have done first, and found more info. There is a HF store about 5min. From my house. I think I'll take a look tomorrow after deer hunting.

73, James - KF4AQO Sent from my iPad using IH8MUD
 
you can also look on ebay. thats where i purchased my 12,500lb winch (Tuff Stuff) for under 300.00 its on my ARB bumper and it works great!!!!!!!!!
 
I just picked up a Tmax commercial winch from northerntool, and it is a beast... I haven't mounted it yet, just received it today. I will say though, I was a bit hesitant to buy, but it was packaged in a wooden crate, and overall the quality of materials seems to be pretty stout. They are on sale for 299$+99$ shipping, freight shipping because of weight. I will probably do write up on the install, and bumper fab, then we will see how well it performs...


Here is the link.
http://m.northerntool.com/shops/web/northerntool?cmd=item&itemId=142475&vendorId=110
 
Last edited:
you can also look on ebay. thats where i purchased my 12,500lb winch (Tuff Stuff) for under 300.00 its on my ARB bumper and it works great!!!!!!!!!


Linkey no workey:
Here is the correct link:
http://truckandwinch.com/tuff-stuff-4x4-ts-12500-b-winch.html


I have one of these for too for the past year. I have used in several times and so far, so good. I bought it rather than similarly priced no name winches because the importer is 5 miles from me, so I could pick it up and take it back if it breaks in the 3 year warranty period. Ease of warranty work and parts is worth considering if you buy a cheap winch.
 
Linkey no workey:
Here is the correct link:
TUFF STUFF 12,500LB Electric 12 Volt Winch | TruckandWinch.com


I have one of these for too for the past year. I have used in several times and so far, so good. I bought it rather than similarly priced no name winches because the importer is 5 miles from me, so I could pick it up and take it back if it breaks in the 3 year warranty period. Ease of warranty work and parts is worth considering if you buy a cheap winch.

do you guys know if this guys offer "will-call" ?

That's a great deal for the price..
 
Jut leave an 8k winch out back and i'll drive down for it ;)


Seriously though, any discounts for walk up sales? I would definately drive down to avoid the freight charges...


No, the WARN VR winches are not made in China. They are on our assembly lines right now in Clackamas, Oregon. Yes, we source some of the parts from other countries, but some of the parts are also made right at the plant in Oregon.

- Andy
 
I called them and they do offer the will call... you gotta go down to their warehouse to buy it and avoid shipping charges...
 
You get what you pay for, mine is on the 8274-50 big W and give or take a bit ten years of not so mutch as a problem one (short of snaping two cables and one blue line) would not buy an other.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom