Winch question.

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K

KSV

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Probably been asked and I am sure that some of you quite sick of such question, but anyway. Understandable that you get what you are paying for. Quality cost money. If you ask what to get answer would be Warn (or in rare occasion Magnum). Fair enough and I have not got any objection except price. But there is big difference between people who doing competition and average off-roaders, who buying winch not for everyday usage, but rather as last recovery resort – in another words that winch *MAY* be used in real recovery 2-3 times as most. Would you consider for such an application “no brand name” winch (i.e. made in China)? Such 12k winch could be up to 3 times cheaper then “proper” 9K one!
Any thoughts/comments?
Thanks.
 
Quite a number of the local folks have taken a chance on the Chinese winches. I have only heard feedback on a few that have actually been used in the field. I have seen a couple in use. They are slow. That's expected. I have talked to three or four guys whose winches died on the first use though...

A cheap winch is better than no winch. If it actually works.

FWIW.


Mark...
 
I think the answer lies in the circumstances of its use.

If you go out always with at least one other truck, an "unknown quantity" winch is likely fine. If you go out a lot by yourself, as I do, then I'd think the "reliable" one is much preferable. Just ask yourself what it is worth to you to not have to walk 20 miles in the desert or what it would cost to have to get a tow truck 20 miles into the boonies. And yes an inexpensive winch is a million times better than no winch (as long as it doesn't lead you to taking unreasonable risks...).
 
I think the question has been asnwered.

"There is big difference between people who doing competition and average off-roaders, who buying winch not for everyday usage, but rather as last recovery resort"

If this were the case I would want something that said Warn on it if it was a last resort.

On the farm or ranch I would not think twice about a China one. I use it to pull tree tops down do to storm damage and to restretch fence, pull stumps etc. My 8274 just seems a little overkill.
 
But it sure is fun using the 8274 to pull out bushes and street stumps. Still haven't figured out a good way to keep the engine running and block the truck well enough to have it not move under winch load.


D'Animal said:
I think the question has been asnwered.

"There is big difference between people who doing competition and average off-roaders, who buying winch not for everyday usage, but rather as last recovery resort"

If this were the case I would want something that said Warn on it if it was a last resort.

On the farm or ranch I would not think twice about a China one. I use it to pull tree tops down do to storm damage and to restretch fence, pull stumps etc. My 8274 just seems a little overkill.
Click to expand...
 
Simple

Park the rig at a 45degree angle from what you are pulling. Turn the wheel to full lock in the opposite direction of what you are pulling. Set the e-brake and toggle away. The rig may slide a little but you are not braking anything.

I have had to use my Kubota 2710 as an anchor on more than one occasion for those stubborn little things.
 
I have thought about this for some time and just this week purchased a T-max 12.5 form JEGS for $674 delivered. I have heard many good things from T-MAx owners ( Woody seems to like his alot).

The only negitive coments I know of come from people who have never owned one. I have decided to rely on experience vs opinion.

I agree with D'animal that the only negitive I know of with warn is price, but that is a big difference.

I have also considered the resale question and belive that I will lose less on the T-max than the Warn in that the warn of the same or similar class is much more money.

Recap: IMHO if someone gives me a warn or I win one I will have the best winch made, but for the money I am going with woody and putting on a T-max.
I will let you know how the install goes next week
 
Two comments:

1. There are a lot of folks buying the 8000 lb winches from Costco, and they have been real happy with them. I think they run less than $400.

2. Everyone these days seems to have forgotten about Ramsey's. Apparently they haven't been doing the right advertising. I've been running an 8000 lb Ramsey for years, and I consider them superior to the Warn.
 
lc69hunter said:
Everyone these days seems to have forgotten about Ramsey's. Apparently they haven't been doing the right advertising. I've been running an 8000 lb Ramsey for years, and I consider them superior to the Warn.
Click to expand...

Ramsey did a huge advertising campain showing their winches being put on HumVees during the beginning of the war. After that they kind of petered out on the advertising.

Good winch.
 
can't go wrong money wise on the Costco since you can always bring them back for a full refund if they conk out.

OTOH, that won't help you 20 miles in the boonies... And IIRC they are probably permanent magnets...
 
"Last ditch recovery effort"

My winch line is my first ditch effort! :D ;)

In all seriousness, my 8274 offers peace of mind, when all other peace of mind has been lost. 150ft of cable and reliability, is a great receipe for safety but it can also be a false sense of security and allow you to go too far before getting stuck.

FWIW, I picked up my Warn 8274 for 500 bucks used and it runs like a champ!

Good luck.

Drew
 
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My concern would be the side loads on the truck using the 45 degree method. Thoughts?

D'Animal said:
Simple

Park the rig at a 45degree angle from what you are pulling. Turn the wheel to full lock in the opposite direction of what you are pulling. Set the e-brake and toggle away. The rig may slide a little but you are not braking anything.

I have had to use my Kubota 2710 as an anchor on more than one occasion for those stubborn little things.
Click to expand...
 
I would have the same concerns but it would work fine with a roller fairlead. A good set of wheel chocks does well. But nothing beats a properly working parking break.

Drew
 
lcruzrlvr said:
My concern would be the side loads on the truck using the 45 degree method. Thoughts?
Click to expand...


I do that when stretching fence. When you have to tighten 500' of barbed wire, it the only way to go. I use the off side of the 40 as my shield should something break of the line weight come off.

I would not recomend this for vehicle recovery.

I'll post up some pics.
 
KSV said:
Would you consider for such an application “no brand name” winch (i.e. made in China)? Such 12k winch could be up to 3 times cheaper then “proper” 9K one! Any thoughts/comments? Thanks.
Click to expand...




No, I would not ever go this route.
 
maybe one good compromise would be the rebadged Tmax that Summit sells. If it is indeed identical to the TMax version, as said, it should be pretty good and way cheaper than a Warn.
 
i pickup a T-MAX 10000 (outback) today from man-a-fre not all thing made in china are no good.:D
 
Interesting...no one even mentioned not buying China from a trade deficit or politics perspective. Personally I try to avoid buying anything made in China these days but it is getting damn hard! I noticed the other day (hijack lite...sorry) the bolts/screws at Home Depot are made in China! It wasn't that long ago (still not sure this is should be a benign concern) China was the enemy; there are a few pet owners these days that think so after feeding them tainted Chinese pet food :rolleyes:. I mean....JEESH...if they can't get pet food right how the heck do you expect them to make a reliable winch that is supposed to be depended on when you might be stuck out in the boonies...but I guess that's what SAT phones are for huh? Maybe they're made in China too...:mad:

Oh well...off the soap box now ;)
 
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