Did a bunch of searching, and found that it does appear to be rated at 8,000lbs. Thanks for the correction!
Winch Decisions ??
- Thread starter conviccted
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Did a bunch of searching, and found that it does appear to be rated at 8,000lbs. Thanks for the correction!
I think the winch you own is typically the best one. Thats why you bought it!
But I also found this info to be useful on winch info/selection. Instructors at our local 4WD school always use Superwinch. I dont have one.
Massive Multi-Winch Shootout - Four Wheeler Magazine
But I also found this info to be useful on winch info/selection. Instructors at our local 4WD school always use Superwinch. I dont have one.
Massive Multi-Winch Shootout - Four Wheeler Magazine
I had a superwinch talon 12.5ti on a rock crawler that I sold. It was good but rarely was used because the crawler was badass. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Superwich is made in China.
In my garage is a practically new Engo (who did well in the magazine shootout btw). I used it maybe ten times when the set screw for the break, which installed from the outside through the drum, backed out and would not allow me to unspool enough rope to get myself out of a jam where I had no help but myself. In the process of trying to get the rope I desperately needed off the drum, the winch began binding up internally until it shut down due to heat I presume. This is probably a simple fix but the winch failed me at a really bad time. At that point I no longer had a winch on my bumper but a useless turd because I was a cheap ass! I replaced it with a slightly used Warn 9500 which runs super fast and smooth compared to the Engo.
A page or two back there is a post where a member with a white 80 showed his 15k pound winch pulling his rig sideways in deep snow. I found myself in that exact situation last month. My Warn 9500 did the sideways pull but it stalled a couple times and I had to wait for it to recover. Perhaps I should have used a snatch block or perhaps I should buy a more powerful winch because the armored 80 series is a heavy beast.
In my garage is a practically new Engo (who did well in the magazine shootout btw). I used it maybe ten times when the set screw for the break, which installed from the outside through the drum, backed out and would not allow me to unspool enough rope to get myself out of a jam where I had no help but myself. In the process of trying to get the rope I desperately needed off the drum, the winch began binding up internally until it shut down due to heat I presume. This is probably a simple fix but the winch failed me at a really bad time. At that point I no longer had a winch on my bumper but a useless turd because I was a cheap ass! I replaced it with a slightly used Warn 9500 which runs super fast and smooth compared to the Engo.
A page or two back there is a post where a member with a white 80 showed his 15k pound winch pulling his rig sideways in deep snow. I found myself in that exact situation last month. My Warn 9500 did the sideways pull but it stalled a couple times and I had to wait for it to recover. Perhaps I should have used a snatch block or perhaps I should buy a more powerful winch because the armored 80 series is a heavy beast.
Warn 12K Powerplant.
If you can find a sale, why not get a compressor also... Nice back up for when my Co2 goes dry.
I'd say I use my winch pretty regularly to snatch other folks. The Warn 12K has never flinched on me. Combined with a ARB snatch block to equal 24K on a single wrap pull... Forget about it, I've had to anchor the back of my rig to a tree and she still pulled flawless.
-A
If you can find a sale, why not get a compressor also... Nice back up for when my Co2 goes dry.
I'd say I use my winch pretty regularly to snatch other folks. The Warn 12K has never flinched on me. Combined with a ARB snatch block to equal 24K on a single wrap pull... Forget about it, I've had to anchor the back of my rig to a tree and she still pulled flawless.
-A
The badlands 12k will fit into the shortbus bumper with zero modifications.
I think the winch you own is typically the best one. Thats why you bought it!
But I also found this info to be useful on winch info/selection. Instructors at our local 4WD school always use Superwinch. I dont have one.
Massive Multi-Winch Shootout - Four Wheeler Magazine
I find it funny that people are still using and quoting this article from five years ago. This would be like quoting an article from PC Magazine from 5 years back and saying " look, the Apple was better then and nothings changed so it must be better now." That information is likely no longer relevant . Any manufacturer that is wanting to stay competitive is going to be improving there product, even Harbor Freight ! All the winches listed in that review have likely experienced several design changes / upgrades over the last 5 years.
Not to defend it, but Moores Law on PCs is one thing, 5 years is an eternity, but in winches is not. After being a mechanical design engineer for almost 30 years, most changes are marketing/cosmetic, little mechanism changing in planetary gears. So in the end is just information, a data point to use. Don't like it, discard it.
bloc
SILVER Star
Thanks for answering my question, but I have enough experience with harbor freight products to NOT trust them when something like a winch would be needed. Other people can do what they want but personally I don't consider HF an option at all.
Also, beside the fact that even an old article has usedul info for people (like me) just learning about this stuff, winches haven't progressed at nearly the pace of computing hardware. Most of the data and points made in a 5 year old article will still be valid about the products tested.. The big exception being good, new products have come to market like the comeup brand.
yep. like three different SKU's now, for the same thing....
The Comeup Seal Gen 2 9.5RS (made in Taiwan, not China) fits with no issues. It does however touch the body just under the grill (photo below).
The DV-12s Light "might" fit (compare the dimensions on their website with the Seal Gen 2 9.5RS... which does fit). The DV-12s Light is not a fully sealed unit... but that may not matter to you (many Warns are not fully sealed either)
Box Rocket
SILVER Star
Just to play devil's advocate, there are many HF products that would never trust. However, I've seen enough use of the Badlands winches to have relatively high confidence in them. Heck, I know Woody ran one on his 80 for several years and it got some good use. I asked him about it once to see how he liked it. His response was that it wasn't fast, but it worked every time he needed it.
Personally, I view a winch as something I'm willing to pay a little extra for to get something I can have total confidence in for a long time. Not everyone's view is exactly like mine and "budget" winches may be adequate for some. If I was one of those people and looking at more "budget" winches, the Badlands winch would likely be the front runner IMO.
Personally, I view a winch as something I'm willing to pay a little extra for to get something I can have total confidence in for a long time. Not everyone's view is exactly like mine and "budget" winches may be adequate for some. If I was one of those people and looking at more "budget" winches, the Badlands winch would likely be the front runner IMO.
If you're just learning about winches why are you dismissing the Badlands winch ? Did you have some experience with them that swayed your opinion ? I run one on my truck so I'm always eager to hear what others have seen or experienced of them. What you might not know is that whoever is building them for HF is also building them for Smittybilt and several other manufacturers. Very possibly they could be the same factory outsourcing parts to Warn for there "assembled in USA" line of winches.
bloc
SILVER Star
Frankly it is mostly prejudice on my part against harbor freight. The quality of basically everything I've seen in their stores is at a "certain" level. There are times this quality is adequate for the intended use.. I own and am mostly happy with a handful of harbor freight tools. Others I've bought got pitched into the trash as soon as I got home and opened the box. A metric tap set is one example recently.
But.. The way I view a winch is as a near last resort tool in some situations, and in that capacity my personal opinion is that harbor freight winches aren't up to my expectations for such a tool.
Yes, hf stuff has worked well for others. I admit the possibility that I'm buying into an illusion of quality on the part of the big players. But what I do know is that if their badlands winches are built to the same standards as their other stuff, they aren't going on my truck.
But.. The way I view a winch is as a near last resort tool in some situations, and in that capacity my personal opinion is that harbor freight winches aren't up to my expectations for such a tool.
Yes, hf stuff has worked well for others. I admit the possibility that I'm buying into an illusion of quality on the part of the big players. But what I do know is that if their badlands winches are built to the same standards as their other stuff, they aren't going on my truck.
Well stated! Anything can be over thought and analyzed until logic is no longer part of the decision making process. A Chinese winch screwed me once already and that's once too many times.
Last edited:
Another good article is Bill Burkes 4-Wheeling America | Aftermarket Accessories, Part II, big name in some overlanding circles.
I know Bill personally, and know he's partial to Superwinch on his rigs.
The Talon's seem pretty hard to beat, with a foundation in heavy equipment background... I believe this series was intended for tow trucks ect...
Superwinch Truck, Jeep and SUV Winches
I've had several talks with Bill over various winch companies, designs, and products... If any of them finally come to the reality there is some cool stuff in the works!
-A
I have been to a few schools and training sessions with I4wDTA trainers. These guys train civilians, military (ft. Bragg), and commercial clients everyday, all over the world. Took their 6 hour winch and recovery class, they have winches from all over taken apart so we can examine how they work, advantages, etc, electric, hydraulic, manual, plus you get to use them all to do various recoveries, rollovers, etc. Superwinch printed manuals for generic winching was part of the material. Soft shackles and synthetic rope is their most preferred, but we used them all to learn. So my personal recommendation before buying a winch would be take a reputable winch class.
But like most people, I bought the one that was good enough rated I could afford. "What could these guys know that I don't?, they only do this everyday with many vehicles and winch brands...." If I could afford a Superwinch, I would get it. Meanwhile my new Engo 10000S will have to do. I could get the Superwinch if I stopped going to classes though....
But I can't help myself. Going to this one this coming weekend 4WD-202 Class-Advanced Training! | Facebook
But like most people, I bought the one that was good enough rated I could afford. "What could these guys know that I don't?, they only do this everyday with many vehicles and winch brands...." If I could afford a Superwinch, I would get it. Meanwhile my new Engo 10000S will have to do. I could get the Superwinch if I stopped going to classes though....
But I can't help myself. Going to this one this coming weekend 4WD-202 Class-Advanced Training! | Facebook
LINUS
Waiting for the Great Pumpkin
I'll admit I only scanned most posts - but really my Warn M12K is my pick.
It fits perfect in an ARB, it has enought grunt to extract without getting down to the 1st/2nd wrap (normally) - so no need to make a compound configuration right off.
To contrast my shorter term LX450 had a Warn M8K - still reliable, but I twice had to run a compound configuration (once took a 2x compound, luckily wasn't alone so we had extra pulleys in group).
I'd even buy a used M12K, rebuild it, and even run wire rope 'till you had synth rope $$. Especially if you live/ride in places with bog/mud or if you wheel alone.
I'll never setup a 80 without a M12K for myself now, I'm so sold on them for my NW corner of the states - maybe the desert guys South of me can get away on a M8K - I just wouldn't buy one for a personal 80, living up here.
It fits perfect in an ARB, it has enought grunt to extract without getting down to the 1st/2nd wrap (normally) - so no need to make a compound configuration right off.
To contrast my shorter term LX450 had a Warn M8K - still reliable, but I twice had to run a compound configuration (once took a 2x compound, luckily wasn't alone so we had extra pulleys in group).
I'd even buy a used M12K, rebuild it, and even run wire rope 'till you had synth rope $$. Especially if you live/ride in places with bog/mud or if you wheel alone.
I'll never setup a 80 without a M12K for myself now, I'm so sold on them for my NW corner of the states - maybe the desert guys South of me can get away on a M8K - I just wouldn't buy one for a personal 80, living up here.
bloc
SILVER Star
I have been to a few schools and training sessions with I4wDTA trainers. These guys train civilians, military (ft. Bragg), and commercial clients everyday, all over the world. Took their 6 hour winch and recovery class, they have winches from all over taken apart so we can examine how they work, advantages, etc, electric, hydraulic, manual, plus you get to use them all to do various recoveries, rollovers, etc. Superwinch printed manuals for generic winching was part of the material. Soft shackles and synthetic rope is their most preferred, but we used them all to learn. So my personal recommendation before buying a winch would be take a reputable winch class.
But like most people, I bought the one that was good enough rated I could afford. "What could these guys know that I don't?, they only do this everyday with many vehicles and winch brands...." If I could afford a Superwinch, I would get it. Meanwhile my new Engo 10000S will have to do. I could get the Superwinch if I stopped going to classes though....
VERY good points. When I rolled my 94 and a group of guys from Ouray was called to help, the knowledge of one particular individual was painfully obvious. He thought of stuff that hadn't even entered my mind, and a decent portion of his very small jeep was packed with different recovery aids.. chains, special links to attach things, a very heavy synthetic lead...
Makes me want to look into recovery classes in my area. Gotta get a winch first though, apparently.
Yeah, if you just buy a winch, mount it, and call it good, you could end up in deeper trouble than you started before you began unwinding cable or line. If you've never had experience recovering stuck stuff, etc, a class is a very good idea -- or at least a day on the trail with someone who knows their stuff. The forces involved and that expensive to fix 80 your winch is attached to make it imperative to work safely and think through where you're going with each pull before you start winding in. Don't forget breaks to cool the winch motor every so often.
The other part of this is having the proper rigging. This can't be emphasized enough. You need to be sure of what you're yanking on and with. The last thing you need is cable flinging loose or to catch a shackle in the teeth
Oh, then there's the old school tip that hasn't been mentioned yet, IIRC...not so important if you run synth, but with cable it's a good idea to open the hood to protect your windshield and anyone in the truck. With some stucks, you need to see, but if it won't block needed vision, it's real cheap insurance -- and a good reason to sell the finance minister on why you need the new hood struts besides being too lazy to stick a 2x4 in to prop it up. Laying a floormat over the taut cable is also a handy way to deaden the flight of a failed cab;e.
bloc
SILVER Star
For context: the recovery of my 80
The rig doing most of the work attached to the middle frame/skid plate was a 100-series cruiser with what I think was some kind of 12k winch. He pulled his front-left tire up against a huge half-buried boulder as an anchor point. The Jeep was too light to do the main pulling, but his purpose was mostly to keep the 80 from rotating and starting to roll down the hill. That was the guy with all of the experience and extra tools, and the second line was his idea. Notice the direction his front tires are turned in relation to the pull.
One thing I thought of before rolling it back onto its wheels was engaging the diff locks. That way even with it in park and the parking brake locked, it wouldn't get onto the driver's side tires and start to roll down due to the differentials being open.
Right as it lands on all four you can see it teeter.. we had the third recovery truck in the group (4runner who didn't have a winch) hook a snatch strap from his hitch to mine to hold tension. Once we were sure it wasn't going to roll down the hill, I got in, took it out of park, and the 4runner pulled me back up the hill to a mostly flat spot where we jacked up the windshield frame and I started pulling plugs to get the oil out of the cylinders and see if it would run.
It did.. with a huge cloud of smoke. Drove it off the mountain. Was VERY happy those guys came up there.. and hope to never need a winch for something like that again. But just in case...
The rig doing most of the work attached to the middle frame/skid plate was a 100-series cruiser with what I think was some kind of 12k winch. He pulled his front-left tire up against a huge half-buried boulder as an anchor point. The Jeep was too light to do the main pulling, but his purpose was mostly to keep the 80 from rotating and starting to roll down the hill. That was the guy with all of the experience and extra tools, and the second line was his idea. Notice the direction his front tires are turned in relation to the pull.
One thing I thought of before rolling it back onto its wheels was engaging the diff locks. That way even with it in park and the parking brake locked, it wouldn't get onto the driver's side tires and start to roll down due to the differentials being open.
Right as it lands on all four you can see it teeter.. we had the third recovery truck in the group (4runner who didn't have a winch) hook a snatch strap from his hitch to mine to hold tension. Once we were sure it wasn't going to roll down the hill, I got in, took it out of park, and the 4runner pulled me back up the hill to a mostly flat spot where we jacked up the windshield frame and I started pulling plugs to get the oil out of the cylinders and see if it would run.
It did.. with a huge cloud of smoke. Drove it off the mountain. Was VERY happy those guys came up there.. and hope to never need a winch for something like that again. But just in case...
Last edited:
