Winch recommendations

I am embarking on Phase II of modifications - roof rack w/ Rigid lighter, rock sliders, ladder, electric brakes (for towing), cool lights for grill, etc... what winch should I be looking at to save a friend

 

There are many winches that people have had good experiences with. Everything from Warn, Superwinch and even the Harbor Freight winches. Me personally, I prefer to pay just a bit more for something like the warn or Superwinch as reliabiliyty can make for a good day or a bad day. I don't cut corners on winches or tires and a winches reliability even when seldom used should be the priority above all else.

 

If weight is part of the decision, take a look at Sherpa. I couldn’t find anything negative about the Mustang anywhere and the weight savings was very significant. Food for thought…

 

Just remember you get what you pay for....I would pass on Harbor Freight....cast steel is not as strong as the better forged steel units.
I have heard of failures with cheap winches. 8-10k winches should do the job. I prefer the synthetic line ones due to lighter weight and better safety.

 

I've run a Harbor Freight/Badlands Apex winch with the synthetic line for 3 years with zero issues. Probably used 20-ish times. If you can justify spending more money, go for it. Matt's Off-Road Recovery, Trail Mater and Fab Rat's in Utah all use HF winches. (Well, Matt did until he got a winch sponsor) Off-road recovery is their business. Dozens of recoveries every year and if it's good enough for them, it's more winch than I'll ever need.

 

Thank you all!! Will keep you updated!!

 

I was going to type the exact same thing but you did it already for me haha

Same to all of the above!

 

I've had a Warn VR EVO-10S for 4 years and it's been rock solid. I'd buy again 100%.

On a budget, I hear good things about Badlands as mentioned above.

 

I've read all good reviews on the HF Bad land winches.

 

As a former Funny Car drag racer....I learned a long time ago....YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. If you cheap out you get cheap.
I will stick with quality over cheap.

 

I've had the Badland Apex 12,000 LBS Winch with synthetic line for > 1 year. I've used it about 25 times. 5 times for recovery, 10 times to pull bushes, 10 times for practice recoveries.
It has always worked perfectly for me. I think that top Quality recovery equipment is great if you can afford it, and a Warn Zeon winch is wonderful, but for my money having the 12,000 LBS Badland has been a lifesaver whenever I've needed it.

I think the most critical feature for my usage has been EASY ACCESS to the winch controls without popping the hood. In a recovery there will be lots of times you will reposition and switch from free-spool to engaged. I've seen guys do a hidden winch with an access hole from inside the hood, and that is a "no go" for recoveries.
I keep my winch remote in my center console at all times. When I go out wheeling I turn on the wireless receiver that day. Then it's a quick procedure to be winching while controlling from the vehicle.

 

Why is that a "no-go" for recoveries? Just curious...

 

I've had my Warn for 20+ years and have used it for countless recoveries. I'll pony up a bit more for another Warn IF I ever need to purchase another one.

As for Matt and Rory, I suspect that they get their winches for free and if they experience a failure I doubt that they would show it. At least not if they want free replacements. Of course this is just speculation...

 

It's just a giant pain to add opening and closing the hood each time between the steps of:
1. Open Hood and reach in.
2. set clutch to free spool to unspool winch.
3. attach cable and tree saver to recovery location.
4. engage winch.
5. shut hood.
6. winch for a while.

<<< need to reposition >>>
1. Open Hood and reach in.
2. set clutch to free spool to unspool winch.
3. attach cable and tree saver to recovery location.
4. engage winch.
5. shut hood.
6. winch for a while.

<<< repeat steps 1-6 until done. >>>

To me steps 1 and 5 with the hood are annoying to have to repeatedly execute.

 

I suppose I would just pop the hood the first time and then not close it completely until done. Don't really have much of a choice in the 4R unless you cut a hole in the grill, right?

 

Exactly. I’m saying that if you do a hidden winch I’d recommend a cutout in the grill. Like pictured. It’s worked well for me, and only visible if I am right up in the grill.

 

For me at least, a winch is not the place to save a few bucks. It's just too important when it's needed. I too use Warn winches and honestly, they have the best reputation of any of the winch manufacturers.......they simply are the top dog.

 

A lot of them are sourced from China some Warn winches included. Do your research and talk to people who own whatever winch you are thinking about. Don't listen to those who bad mouth a product that they have never owned simply because of its branding. With that said I ran the Warn VR10 on my JK and currently run the Badlands Apex 12K on the 4R. I have nothing but good things to say about both. As I do mostly crawling for my off-roading I used both often and neither one had or has had any issues.

 

Thanks all

 

https://youtu.be/iWx8b923cRo?si=NX6HsyStKqpMRfzC

 

My Badland 12k has been completely reliable and performs great so far. And I use it. Most recently, about 2 weeks ago down in Baja during significant rain. Pulled several locals out who were stuck in mud on flooded dirt roads.

 

Thanks all! Ended up with Warn Evo photos soon on phase II

 

Congratulations and wise choice. I look forward to seeing some pics

 

I agree, good choice.

 

What the hell is this video? How did the plastic housing crack but the metal frame of the winch is completely intact? I'd love to see the mounting.

 

He tried to pull a tree stump out without doing any work to cut the roots and tied a sxs to the back of the 12K lb truck. The winch was overloaded. Seems a testament to the durability of the winch to me.

 

I also enjoy the first 30 seconds, "This video is a complete disection...". Then proceeds to only remove a few screws from a plastic housing

Oh, and there's no way the burning smell was from the overloaded and overheated winch, it was the poor winch design. Lol, ok sure.

 

Well I have had far to many CHEAP QUALITY tools break in my hand to trust CHEAP QUALITY. All whom want to save a couple bucks....go for it! You get what you pay for. I have learned my lesson many years ago.

 

This is the downside of YouTube. Anyone with a camera is suddenly an "expert" and then people watch and think they're getting good information.

 

I generally agree with you. But, I have a couple of buddies who use the Badlands winches, and they work.