Winch Recommendations (1 Viewer)

[xychromosome]

I'm looking at getting a winch and after searching this forum have come across a few mentions here and there, but didn't see a page dedicated on winches so throught I'd start a new thread.

What winches are you all using and which do you recommend or recommend to avoid? Is a 10,000lb winch 'good enough' for most applications, or is a 12,000+ a better option?

 

[Roody]

10,000 is more than enough in most cases for the GX but the price delta between 10k and 12k and the outcome for not having enough pulling strength makes it a no-brainer to step up to the bigger, stronger winch, at least in my mind.

Been running a Warn VR EVO 12-S on my GX since January of 2022. I've used it a bunch of times in off-road use (extracting my own truck and extracting others) and only have good things to say about it. Others have had good experiences with the Harbor Freight ones, too.

 

[r2m]

This is what I have: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K150VAI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
But to your point, here are some of my criteria:

1. Be sure whatever winch you get fits your bumper, including having a space for the controller.
2. 10,000 lb is fine. You don't need 12,000 lb wince unless you have a special need for one.
3. Don't get a winch with steel cable. Make sure it has synthetic line.
4. A +plus would be water proof.
5. Three words: "reviews, reviews, reviews" AND lots of them. Never trust a product with a 5 star review with 3 reviews. Be sure there are hundreds, if not thousands of reviews.
6. Price with delivery
7. Warranty, to many, including myself, that's a moot point considering I had it for a couple years before I needed it, hence the warranty was already done if it didn't work
8. Some people like wireless remotes. I do not. I don't want to always worry about every year charging or changing batteries in the remote handle. A good long wired remote is just fine for me.
9. Make sure you get a good hawse fairlead if you get synthetic line. DO NOT USE a roller fairlead with synthetic line.

 

[xychromosome]

Appreciate the good info!

 

[Washingtontaco]

I have had two winches in 15 years both Warn. I am currently running a Zeon 10. I pull winch line way more than most folks for my classes. Just last weekend attemped to recover a Mitsubishi Canter up a 40 degree slope. Estimated load of 15k, rigged a doulbe line pull, ended up dragging my GX and business partners Taco (teathered behind) towards the Canter. Very good winch.

That being said I like Come Up the brake on them is robust. The I4WDTA just evaluated them in house and waiting on the results.

 

[r2m]

I have had two winches in 15 years both Warn. I am currently running a Zeon 10. I pull winch line way more than most folks for my classes. Just last weekend attemped to recover a Mitsubishi Canter up a 40 degree slope. Estimated load of 15k, rigged a doulbe line pull, ended up dragging my GX and business partners Taco (teathered behind) towards the Canter. Very good winch.

That being said I like Come Up the brake on them is robust. The I4WDTA just evaluated them in house and waiting on the results.

Had a MIleMarker 15,000 lb on my F350 crewcab overlander, but now have SmittyBilt X2O-10K waterproof with synthetic line. Love it so far and appreciate that it's waterproof for all the deep fording we do down here in So. Cal!