Cheap winches probably get bad reviews because they get treated like a $300 winch and Warns get treated like they cost 2 or 3 times more. The duty cycle is the same at 5% for all of them. Higher rated winch means more work out of the same duty cycle.
Cheap winches probably get bad reviews because they get treated like a $300 winch and Warns get treated like they cost 2 or 3 times more. The duty cycle is the same at 5% for all of them. Higher rated winch means more work out of the same duty cycle.
agree. I have owned 3 smitybuilt winches over the the past 10 years and never once have they failed me. I just ordered their 12k waterproof winch for $600 with tax and shipping. I’m sure the band lands which will do just fine for most people
Usually recommend a 9500lb winch for our 100s. 12000lb is overkill IMO. An 8000lb can work, but you'll want to run a snatch block and winch extension at all times. The snatch block effectively doubles your line pull capacity (8000 becomes 16000) and the winch extension gains back the loss of line length since your looping back to your own rig.
I'd say it depends on the terrain you're going to be in. For us in the northeast even a 12k is barely enough when you consider the frequency of getting stuck in mud. Mud to the bottom of the wheel=gvw, but to the axles is double that and to the frame is probably 300%. Where you are, you may just be getting up something steep with little grip so it matters less. IMO there is little downside to going bigger anyhow.
I'd say it depends on the terrain you're going to be in. For us in the northeast even a 12k is barely enough when you consider the frequency of getting stuck in mud. Mud to the bottom of the wheel=gvw, but to the axles is double that and to the frame is probably 300%. Where you are, you may just be getting up something steep with little grip so it matters less. IMO there is little downside to going bigger anyhow.
Good point on mud. I don't run into too much mud at all. Generally just sand (which a winch is largely no good for anyway....traction boards are best with that). Mine is generally used to pull felled trees off trails, "assistance" with steep slopes and pulling other people out of sticky situations. 9500lb with snatch block and various straps has served me well. Definitely agree on there being little downside to going with a bigger winch. Heck, the Apex 12k winch from Harbor Freight for $499 sure looks like one HECK of a great budget option....but that control box is HUGE....definitely would want to break that down and refit it into a smaller package.
Good point on mud. I don't run into too much mud at all. Generally just sand (which a winch is largely no good for anyway....traction boards are best with that). Mine is generally used to pull felled trees off trails, "assistance" with steep slopes and pulling other people out of sticky situations. 9500lb with snatch block and various straps has served me well. Definitely agree on there being little downside to going with a bigger winch. Heck, the Apex 12k winch from Harbor Freight for $499 sure looks like one HECK of a great budget option....but that control box is HUGE....definitely would want to break that down and refit it into a smaller package.
I agree about the size. I'd say if you can find a 8k or 9.5k that fits in a bumper wholesale, solenoid and all, then that would be one reason to go with a smaller winch, but I honestly don't care about my solenoid being on my bumper. And yes you can do a hell of a lot with a snatch block, with the bonus of getting closer to the last layer of line.
