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Winch purchase opinions

Discussion in 'Recovery & Gear' started by Zero One Actual, Oct 1, 2019.

  1. Oct 1, 2019 at 4:03 PM
    #1
    Zero One Actual

    Zero One Actual [OP] Member among Members

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    I just purchased the new Victory 4x4 bumper during the intro pricing special. Now the winch.
    This winch will be on my daily driving 2019 CM. I know I will not use it daily, or weekly, possibly even monthly. But I want it there for any situation that could arise. Emergency, Post Hurricane, being an idiot in the mud, etc...

    The brand new Smittybilt Gen3 XRC synthetic 12K is out now and I am really thinking that for the price of $700 (pre coupons or sale or discounts that I will wait on) is a decent price for how much winching I will be doing with it. Warns are double that price and I feel that if I break down the price of both to price per winch line used, I will never see how the warn is that much more elite than the smittybilt. Additionally, I have a 4 Wheel Parts store locally, so if I have any issues with the smittybilt, I can drive it right there and see what they can do.

    If any of you know of a better solution, please let me know. Again, I am on the east coast, no snow, no Moab, no Arizona, just sand, mud and trails in the woods.
     
    jewsNbrews likes this.
  2. Oct 1, 2019 at 4:18 PM
    #2
    thearborbarber

    thearborbarber New Member

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    On my off road suburban I had a Superwinch tigershark 9500. It's a cheapy from northern tool for $350 onsale. I had it about 6 years and it always worked. The only down fall and it wasn't much of one was the line speed was slow compared to the $1000 plus winches.

    I saw you are looking at synthetic line models. My buddy has it on his blazer. I thought cable wasn't too bad to handle but synthetic line is so much easier and lighter.
     
  3. Oct 1, 2019 at 4:22 PM
    #3
    1RONMAN81

    1RONMAN81 New Member

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    I did a lot of research about 4 years ago for a winch on my Tacoma. Ended up going with Engo brand winch and it was bulletproof. They have a 10k for about $470.

    This linked winch shootout was pretty biased toward Warn, but gives you an idea about some of the brands out there and their performance. Keep in mind it’s from 2011 so there may be newer products/price points. Engo was one of only two that actually survives all the torture testing.
    http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/129-1107-massive-multi-winch-shootout/

    Also, check out various off road sites, as they frequently are on sale at third party sites.

    http://store.engousa.com/

    MetalTech 4x4 has a 9k Engo with synthetic setup for $405
    https://www.metaltech4x4.com/engo-winch-model-sr9s-9-000-lbs-w-synthetic-rope/

    4Wheel Online has a 12k Engo with synthetic rope for $503. Other packages as well.
    https://4wheelonline.com/ENGO_E-Winches_E12000.173721.0

    On a separate note, I highly recommend the Hawse fair lead and Prolink from Factor55.com
     
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2019
  4. Oct 1, 2019 at 5:49 PM
    #4
    Kerch71

    Kerch71 Surgical Precision

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    CM TRD Pro glass panels, Icon 2.5, TC long travel UCA/LCA, Toyota supercharger, Airlift rear suspension, Warn winch, custom front and rear bumper, Coachbuilder roof rack, lengthened chassis 12", 37" Nitto Grapplers, custom graphics, Magnaflow Flowmaster 4" SS Exhaust
    I don't think you can go wrong with the Smittybilt for that price. They make nice equipment. I agree that Warn is a bit pricey and lucked out buying my truck with a Warn already installed. Had I needed a winch, probably would have gotten the Smittybilt.
     
  5. Oct 1, 2019 at 6:08 PM
    #5
    Zero One Actual

    Zero One Actual [OP] Member among Members

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    That is the first article I read and also noticed it is nine years old. That is one reason I wanted to ask the question again in 2019. Unlike the Tundra, things change in ten years. Thank you for all the links!
     
  6. Oct 1, 2019 at 6:09 PM
    #6
    Zero One Actual

    Zero One Actual [OP] Member among Members

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    You mean lucked out outbidding me? Hahaha.
     
    Kerch71[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. Oct 1, 2019 at 6:15 PM
    #7
    Scuba

    Scuba Sober member

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    I would recommend at the very minimum getting the 3 year warranty.
    My shittybilt 9k had the controller connection rust out after 2.5 years leaving my winch pretty much DOA. Luckily when I found out while trying to use it I had others around who could winch me out instead of me winching myself out.
    The local 4wp store warrantied the parts for free so it only cost me 20 mins of my time plus gas but, the guy sounded kind of sinister when we handed me the parts and said “you’re lucky this happened within the 3 years.”
    They moved the controller plug to the side instead of on the top presumably because of issues like mine.
    I also bought and installed an in cab controller so I will never have to worry about the included controller working or not.
    That’s the only bad thing I can say about my smittybilt winch and I’ve used it dozens of times recovering not only me but some of my friends.
     
    Zero One Actual[OP] likes this.
  8. Oct 1, 2019 at 6:36 PM
    #8
    ricsha

    ricsha One is none, two is one.

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    I have a Victory 4x4 Blitz bumper, and it's really great, I love mine. However, keep in mind that once installed the winch is completely hidden behind, and inside the bumper --meaning it's not available for any adjustments or repairs without a major (half-day) project to remove the entire bumper/winch assembly, and you can only do that after removing electric control lines and line to battery, etc. SO, after considering all that I went with a WARN Zeon Platinum 10-S which has the wireless controller. Yep, it costs a lot more than the recommendations above, but it's a WARN, made right here in Oregon, USA, and is pretty much the standard by which all other winches are measured. Recommended by the good folks at Victory 4x4 too. While I couldn't really afford it, my philosophy is "Buy once, Cry once!". I expect it to outlast me....
     
    Last edited: Oct 2, 2019
  9. Oct 2, 2019 at 3:21 AM
    #9
    Kerch71

    Kerch71 Surgical Precision

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    CM TRD Pro glass panels, Icon 2.5, TC long travel UCA/LCA, Toyota supercharger, Airlift rear suspension, Warn winch, custom front and rear bumper, Coachbuilder roof rack, lengthened chassis 12", 37" Nitto Grapplers, custom graphics, Magnaflow Flowmaster 4" SS Exhaust
    :rofl:I totally forgot you were eyeing it as well. My bad!
     
  10. Oct 2, 2019 at 4:34 AM
    #10
    Bprose

    Bprose Old member

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    I’ve got this one. Got it off Amazon also. The control box is relocatable. I routed mine into engine compartment to keep it out of elements. You just need longer cables, heavy gauge, like battery cables. 6CEB5C3D-26B1-417D-A547-E93DB82DED42.jpg
     
  11. Oct 2, 2019 at 4:37 AM
    #11
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    TuwaPro rack, Z1 Offroad stuff, NISMO suspension stuff, FlowmasterFX Extreme exhaust, AIS, OVS, J&L can, other goodies on the way
    The new gen wireless/waterproof Smittybilt X20 is out too. That will be my next winch.
     
  12. Oct 2, 2019 at 4:54 AM
    #12
    Pinay

    Pinay New Member

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    Winch warn for $738

    E9EB4051-BCDC-47F3-845B-AA737BDEBF43.jpg
     
  13. Oct 2, 2019 at 9:11 AM
    #13
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    @eccracer104 could have gotten you a better deal.
     
    eccracer104 likes this.
  14. Oct 2, 2019 at 9:16 AM
    #14
    Scuba

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    I would buy a smittybilt for a lower price before buying a VR.. especially considering they’re both MIC.
     
  15. Oct 2, 2019 at 11:31 AM
    #15
    Grendel

    Grendel New Member

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    Just curious, is there a reason you went with 10-S instead of 12-S? I have been passively looking for a winch (probably in the next 2 years)
     
    Zero One Actual[OP] likes this.
  16. Oct 2, 2019 at 1:20 PM
    #16
    ricsha

    ricsha One is none, two is one.

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    If I were using it every day I'd definitely go for the 12-S, but for occasional use in emergencies my feeling was that 10 tons of pulling power would be adequate. The 12-S is an even better winch though, and not much heavier (just more expensive!).
     
    Zero One Actual[OP] likes this.
  17. Oct 2, 2019 at 4:42 PM
    #17
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    Ah....10K lbs....5 tons...Still plenty for the occasional usage.
     
  18. Oct 2, 2019 at 5:11 PM
    #18
    Red_Leg

    Red_Leg New Member

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    As long as your not buried down to the frame
     
  19. Oct 2, 2019 at 5:15 PM
    #19
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    Snatch block time.
     
    Last edited: Oct 2, 2019
  20. Oct 2, 2019 at 5:42 PM
    #20
    trayday

    trayday New Member

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    I'm pretty sure I have a 10k X20 Smittybilt that I've used quite a bit. Been submerged under water a few times, snapped a cable from being buried and it still works. It has stopped working before though, I called Smittybilt and they said I needed an updated control box at no charge. It was received in 2 days I believe. I'd buy Smittybilt again if I ever need to.
     
  21. Oct 2, 2019 at 5:48 PM
    #21
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    I always was a Warn fan and have owned several over the years but Smittybilt makes a very good winch for the price point.
     
    trayday[QUOTED] likes this.
  22. Oct 2, 2019 at 6:04 PM
    #22
    GiantsFanDan

    GiantsFanDan New Member

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    I have a smittybilt 9500 steel cable and keep a snatch block with me just in case. It's been submerged in water and still works. It's only been used for pulling downed tree's so far and works like a champ.
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  23. Oct 2, 2019 at 8:51 PM
    #23
    Zero One Actual

    Zero One Actual [OP] Member among Members

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    Thanks for all the input.

    I feel as though the internet as a whole makes it hard to sift through BS of winches. I don’t know who is paid as a sponsor anymore on YouTube or whatever. I find it odd the last winch comparison was done in 2011. I can find more up to date challenges on coolers on YouTube. Odd huh?

    I read how Warn service is poop and their winches are made in China and I’m paying for a name etc. and that Smittybilt is giving out new winches no questions asked etc. It is similar to tires versus tires or polymer pistol versus polymer pistol.
     
    trayday and TruckyTruck like this.
  24. Oct 3, 2019 at 7:28 PM
    #24
    Red_Leg

    Red_Leg New Member

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    You would need two snatch blocks to double the strength of the winch. That is assuming your mount and rigging can handle the load.

    One snatch block only gets you the strength of the extra line out.
     
    Black Wolf[QUOTED] likes this.
  25. Oct 3, 2019 at 7:37 PM
    #25
    Red_Leg

    Red_Leg New Member

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    If your talking about the VR series then yes it’s no better then Smittybilt. On my last Tundra I ran Warn. Better line speed never gave me any issues and greater pull rating with less line out. That said I run the Smittybilt X2O 12K with synthetic on my rock crawler and will run the same when I get around to doing the bumper on my current Tundra. Better customer service and if you’re really worried about it working you can carry an extra control box and still be at half the price of a warn. It’s typically the electronics that corrode and not the motors that fail.
     
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2019
  26. Oct 3, 2019 at 7:38 PM
    #26
    ricsha

    ricsha One is none, two is one.

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    While there are some cheap WARN winches that are made for WARN in China, the good ones are still made right here in Oregon, USA. Buy American! Protect American jobs.
     
  27. Oct 3, 2019 at 8:03 PM
    #27
    Zero One Actual

    Zero One Actual [OP] Member among Members

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    I agree and want to, but I own a Japanese Truck that is amazing that was assembled in Texas, so this winch argument seems hypocritical.

    We need someone or a vendor to do a 2019 winch shootout so we can all make decisions based on updated data circa 2019/2020.
     
  28. Oct 3, 2019 at 8:51 PM
    #28
    e30cabrio

    e30cabrio I'm e30cabrio, I'm a modaholic

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    I have the Smittybilt 97512 on the way 12k, lifetime mechanical & 5 year electrical warranty. I don't see how that can be beat for under 500.
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  29. Oct 4, 2019 at 5:10 AM
    #29
    MrMax

    MrMax Introvertigo Eximious Geargasm

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    I like a Warn and have been utilizing them for a few decades...dragging tree tops and self recovery. That said there are other manufacturer's making some good products. One thing to consider is leaving it mounted on the front of your rig for years to come exposed to the elements. My XD9000i after a year or so being unused simply didn't work one day due to water intrusion and corrosion. After resolving the issue I re thought my set up and now run a 2" receiver mount on the front of my truck. The receiver mounted winch only see's the elements when it needs to come out to play now.
     
    Zero One Actual[OP] likes this.
  30. Oct 4, 2019 at 1:04 PM
    #30
    e30cabrio

    e30cabrio I'm e30cabrio, I'm a modaholic

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    Thanks, I just ordered with him. You have helped me again sir!
     
    Black Wolf[QUOTED] likes this.

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