Warn M12000 vs Warn VR12000 - Fitment in ARB

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adventr

adventr

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I know that the M12000 is pretty much a direct bolt-in. How about the new VR12000? The chosen winch will be going in a standard ARB Deluxe Bullbar.

Anyone running a VR Series winch? How's it holding up?


M12000 weighs 136lbs
VR12000 weighs 89lbs

While weight savings are not a concern for me, it almost concerns me that the VR is so much lighter. :hhmm:


The VR is also 1/2 the price of a new M12000. Do you believe that the M12000 is worth double the cost of a VR12000?
Both have Warn's Lifetime Mechanical Warranty.


What are your thoughts on all of this?

:beer:
 
VR12 is the size of the 9.5 xp, I too have been considering getting it:)
 
I have been looking at them as well, the price and warrantee is attracting. My concern is what am I missing with the savings?

If I'm in a situation I need a winch I do not want to worried if its going to work or be reliable. the cost savings really seem meaningless at those times.

But the price is still attractive.
 
Wheelingnoob said:
I have been looking at them as well, the price and warrantee is attracting. My concern is what am I missing with the savings?

If I'm in a situation I need a winch I do not want to worried if its going to work or be reliable. the cost savings really seem meaningless at those times.

But the price is still attractive.
Click to expand...

I agree, although I know that I won't often use a winch I've decided that I'm going with the M12000 in my ARB. The VR will probably suffice, but the weight and cash difference must mean something.
 
Anyone have experience with the VR12000?

The M12 holds 125' of cable, versus 94' on the VR. That alone, makes me want to go for the M12, but I'd still like to hear about the VR.
 
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Posting in this thread so I can follow it. The VR series is very attractive at that price
 
Well, decided to go with what was proven, and is a direct bolt in for the ARB bumper....M12000.
Should be arriving middle of next week.
 
tim.korn.99 said:
Well, decided to go with what was proven, and is a direct bolt in for the ARB bumper....M12000.
Should be arriving middle of next week.
Click to expand...

Seems like a very smart idea & smart money to me - I'm a little skeptical of how they saved that much weight (that's pretty drastic to me) & what parts might break or strip if under full load when you need it most - going cheap on the winch just seems like the whole "don't buy a used gun from a pawn shop" thing - if I'm going to trust my life to my daily carry gun, I'd rather get brand new & a premium brand known for reliability & know every round though it & how well it was cleaned & broken in.

Used guns are fun, but really aside from gravel pit/ range shooting & just going out & popping off some rounds when a jam isn't a life & death situation, a gun like that just doesn't compare to a new ones' reliability - otherwise LEO's would be issued 1 gun the day they hire & return it the day they retire & we all know that isn't how that plays out - I may eat my words & the VR may turn out to be a super reliable winch, but I wouldn't want to be a "guinea pig" for Warn for their new product.

If you have to use the warrenty of the VR series, you more than likely have a story with an ending that goes something like "....so I had to wait for ____ to come out/down the trail & give me a pull with his M12000, since my VR crapped out."

You might have a warrenty on the VR, but that's sure one warrenty I'd really hate to get to the point of having to use, you know?

Just my .02 on the whole VR thing.
 
Very good read, but a lot of bickering in that thread
 
Without playing with the vr or viewing it's specs I'd assume that the line speed is slower. They surely make up for the size with gearing.

That all said, I've had no problems with my ancient m8000 with 80' synth rope. But I do carry a 40' extension and a snatch block.

M8000 can be had for $550 brand new :)
 
I run a Warn VR10,000 and I have no complaints. I blew out a side wall on a hill and had to winch myself to the top so I would have a flat spot to put on the spare. The winch performed well and did its job. The only thing I can complain about is my old worn out battery! I have the ARB deluxe bull bar on my bumper and it installed perfectly, the only thing that required any modification was the holes for the roller fair lead.
 
I have no experience with the VR but was faced with the same decision last fall. I shopped for a used M12000 and found one with a brand new synthetic rope that I ended up buying for $550. After a new set of rollers, hook, and power cables I'm in it for about $750.

During the short search I actually found 3 M12's near me on Craigslist. So don't rule out a used unit.
 
Corbet said:
I have no experience with the VR but was faced with the same decision last fall. I shopped for a used M12000 and found one with a brand new synthetic rope that I ended up buying for $550. After a new set of rollers, hook, and power cables I'm in it for about $750.
Click to expand...

That's a pretty good deal, esp with the $200 syn rope.

That said, with synthetic line I much prefer a hawse type fairlead. Just be sure to de-burr the fairlead if you bump it on rocks and stuff. I also skip the hook entirely and use a shackle for rigging.
 
86tuning said:
That's a pretty good deal, esp with the $200 syn rope.

That said, with synthetic line I much prefer a hawse type fairlead. Just be sure to de-burr the fairlead if you bump it on rocks and stuff. I also skip the hook entirely and use a shackle for rigging.
Click to expand...

I got the Delrin replacement rollers from Viking Offroad designed for the synthetic rope. Personally I prefer the hook. To each their own there I guess.
 
I have a VR 12000 on my f150 and it does great i pulled a hummer h3 up a 24ish degree hill at an angle no problem. At one point someone was so stuck it was dragging my truck forward. I have a super crew cab fx4 on a 6in lift with an Iron cross bumper grille guard and it pulled me around without a problem.
 
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