Help me decide

[sseaman]

I am looking for a less expensive winch to use with on my Sequoia, I don't hit the trails very often and nothing I plan to get stuck in but I want to have something just in case. I am planning for the mean time to install a front receiver so it could be used either front or rear. I know it is hard to dispute the quality of Warn a few others come in a close second mainly due to the warranty. I am planning on getting an 8-9k range and have a snatch block in the event it is not enough. I think the added price, size and weight to go to 12,000 is probably overkill. I have found some locally on Craigslist but the price difference is small enough I think buying new and having the warranty pushes me in that direction. I have read the threads on the HF winches versus the others and think it might be worth saving a few dollars and getting on of theirs and use the money I would have spent on a Warn to get synthetic line to cut weight.

What are your thoughts?

 

[KimoSabe]

I like the idea of my winch riding in the back ready to service me if I get stuck

Added cost would be hitch winch plate mount and good quality wires and quick connect/disconnect plugs for the front and back, unless you are just going to run a long jumper cable to power the winch.

The beauty of the winch riding shotgun is that it will probably never see the light of day. Most of the time, you will probably leave it in the garage. 8K winch will be plenty, I can't see spending extra $$ on a warn. Since the winch will mostly be spanking new every time you take it out, the electrical components should be more service ready than if it were exposed to the elements.

You may want to research and prep more on hitch mount winch pull, you will want to note rating(s) on the hitch and how side pull(s) will affects the hitch. Class 3 is 5K, Class 4 is 10K.... note that most SUVs will have Class III installed.

I almost got the HF winch, but went with the Titan TW12 group buy instead.

This Far Side is one of my favorite

 

[sseaman]

I read up on the Engo's last night! seems the few that have used them so far have been happy.

 

[ProfenderUSA]

Did you buy an Engo?

 

[Corbet]

Kind of an old thread but if you plan to mount using a receiver I would not bother with anything over 8000 lbs. Personally, I would not trust the mounting point much beyond that. A Warn 8K is still a good value and a good choice. Throw some synthetic rope on to save your back a little, another reason to start with a smaller winch.