Anyone have any real world experience with the Warn VR8000 vs. the M8000? Just curious what the couple hundred bucks extra for the M series gets you.
Which Warn Winch for 80 series
- Thread starter jhheat
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You need to be looking @ a larger winch. Warn, and most winch manufacturers, suggest 1.5 times GVWR. Our GVWR is 6,470lbs. So you need a winch that's 9,705lbs @ a minimum! So the smallest you should look @ is a 10K winch but 12K would be better & wouldn't hurt!
VR8000 vs. M8000 is all over just about every 4x4 board out there. General consensus:
Motors are different
Geartrains are different
VR line pull is slower than the M line pull
VR uses a solenoid layout and the M uses a constant duty DC contactor
M is built like every other Warn has ever been built, the VR is built like every other sub $400 offshore winch, but it has the Warn nameplate, Warn customer service, and Warn warranty.
The VR is a value line product. The M is not. The M is rated for constant duty use---minding the vehicle's battery and charging system arrangement. The VR, nobody is really saying if it is rated for constant duty or not. It makes sense to believe it isn't, solely based on the electrical side of it.
How many people really use their winches in a 'constant duty' state? Not many. If you're the trail leader on a regular basis, then you're probably pushing it harder than most anyone other than a tow truck company. If you're the backmarker, same thing. If you're the dude in the middle on his 1 and only trail run of the year, probably not. If the VR is all you can afford, it's probably the best option in the value winch game today. For $150 or so extra, you can have the proven M when they go on sale.
Motors are different
Geartrains are different
VR line pull is slower than the M line pull
VR uses a solenoid layout and the M uses a constant duty DC contactor
M is built like every other Warn has ever been built, the VR is built like every other sub $400 offshore winch, but it has the Warn nameplate, Warn customer service, and Warn warranty.
The VR is a value line product. The M is not. The M is rated for constant duty use---minding the vehicle's battery and charging system arrangement. The VR, nobody is really saying if it is rated for constant duty or not. It makes sense to believe it isn't, solely based on the electrical side of it.
How many people really use their winches in a 'constant duty' state? Not many. If you're the trail leader on a regular basis, then you're probably pushing it harder than most anyone other than a tow truck company. If you're the backmarker, same thing. If you're the dude in the middle on his 1 and only trail run of the year, probably not. If the VR is all you can afford, it's probably the best option in the value winch game today. For $150 or so extra, you can have the proven M when they go on sale.
Superwinch Talon. 62' per min line speed, yes please.
Correctamundo. If you're getting a winch for your 80, then get a winch for your 80, not for your 40.
My buddy and I have a smitty 8k on our ARB bumpers and it has work fine for us. We been pulling each out of mud holes and snow dozens of time without any issue so far. When it does crap out I'll be getting a 10k forsure.
the cream of WARN: "8247-50" this is the most used and abused winch in Venezuela for 80's or any 12000 lbs.
8274-50 is really expensive, but depending on how much you are going to use it is worth it the money. Some people say that even if you don't use it that much, is better to have something you can trust if something happens.
I love the 8274-50 but budget wise got the VR 12000.
Also, not all bumpers allow the 8274-50, if you are ordering an ARB bumper let them know you are using this winch (it will be an special order)
8274-50 is really expensive, but depending on how much you are going to use it is worth it the money. Some people say that even if you don't use it that much, is better to have something you can trust if something happens.
I love the 8274-50 but budget wise got the VR 12000.
Also, not all bumpers allow the 8274-50, if you are ordering an ARB bumper let them know you are using this winch (it will be an special order)
Personally I like the 9.5XP a lot, more so than the M8000 (even though I got an M12000 cuz I like to go the extra distance).
And remember that one can always use a double -or more- line if 8000 proves marginal.
Winches are one of those items that can be a great deal used. Whoever will buy mine eventually will get a winch that will likely have been used once and covered all the time... sigh... I got to get out more....
And remember that one can always use a double -or more- line if 8000 proves marginal.
Winches are one of those items that can be a great deal used. Whoever will buy mine eventually will get a winch that will likely have been used once and covered all the time... sigh... I got to get out more....
I have M8000 on my Jeep and VR10000 on the 80. Haven't used either in off road situations but have used them on random projects like pulling big ice machines on trailers or pulling fence tight. Pulled my Kaw Mule on the trailer several times as well. Both times I ran the rope under the vehicle to pull the item on the trailer while the trailer is still connected to hitch. I had a Warn 9.5 before that pulled me all over Prichett Canyon. It worked great but it got stolen so I go the cheap route now.
True manufactures recommend a winch 1.5 times the size of the vehicle, but they are in the winch selling business. With that said you should have no problem getting by with an 8000 if you read the manual and understand how to winch.
You also have to keep in mind that part of the "1.5x" suggestion is because pulling strength decreases as the number of wraps comes off the spool. For example, if you have a 8000lb rating, that's on the first layer. At the 2nd layer, you're down to 6500 (or so), 3rd layer would be around 5500, and 4th you're all the way down to 4700.
Now, these numbers aren't absolute, but they're typical... I think the calculation is something like 20% off for the first wrap, then 10% for the following wraps.
And by the by, not too many manufactures advertise these numbers.
Now, these numbers aren't absolute, but they're typical... I think the calculation is something like 20% off for the first wrap, then 10% for the following wraps.
And by the by, not too many manufactures advertise these numbers.
As far as 8k lbs winches go, my 8274 has never let me down and I've had my truck in a few nasty situations. That said, the general consensus is that the 8,000lb rating of the 8274 is very conservative.
- Thread starter
- #13
Thanks for all the help. I've decided to go with the Warn 9.5 XP when the budget allows it. I know what I will be getting that way. I have a feeling that the M8000 would be just fine for most applications but I will just save my pennies a bit longer and get what I want. The VR would most likely do the trick as well but I'd hate to be stranded somewhere with a burnt out import winch motor because I got impatient. Thanks again.