Best Winch for the $$

It's lighter and safer as stated above and it floats. Other than that, wire rope beats it every other way. The safety aspect of wire rope can easily be solved with knowledge, chains, and snatch blocks.

 

I went with steel rope for durability and better resistance to UV! Not concerned if its 20 lbs heavier over all. & yes a good winch damper and good gloves negates the safety hazards of steel rope! Went with the WARN VR EVO 12k for $689

 

You bought a quality winch with quality wire rope on it and it will probably be the last one that you buy. If you winch correctly then you will never approach the breaking point of that cable.

I am always amazed how someone could break wire rope on a 12K winch since most winching operations don't even allow you to get down to the first wrap of the spool. People must really abuse their equipment.

 

I was going to go with the Badlands Apex 12k but decided to go with just the regular Badlands 12k with wire rope for my logging trailer. Must have gotten a dud it kept spooling in and completely buckled my trailer. A guy down the road recommended a dead man switch. Is the apex much better?

 

What's the winch you bought? Among the best labels to consider are Warn, Smittybilt, and Superwinch. I always rely on comments on the Internet when it comes to buying automotive accessories for my car.

 

I ended up ordering a Warn VR Evo 12-S. Saving 2-300 on the harbor freight wasn't worth it to me considering how time consuming it is to install/uninstall a winch. If it was some cheap tool I could easily throw in the truck and exchange I would have gone with the HF option.

 

Another thing about synthetic ropes is that you can splice them in the field and have it be just as strong as before.

Also, Matt's offroad recovery uses the badlands apex winch.

 

True. But most of the time when you need to splice them it is because the synthetic material was chaffed.

 

I know this may be looked upon on, but has anyone tried rough country's winch? I'm debating to add it to the truck but it's mostly for yard/farm work, and being in Canada, they are half price of Warn/smittybuilt.

 

I would give it a shot. For the savings, it is worth the risk.

 

I personally used a Smittybilt X2O 10K synthetic on my Jeep. Used it twice and it worked flawlessly each time.

 

Some time has passed. Anyone on here got feedback you can share about the Ironman 4x4 Monster 12,000 pound winch? They’re 25% off; Bluetooth remote control or connected control options; insulated motor with a remote breather for underwater use. I know HF offers some great affordable options, that the Badlands APEX has a great warranty, Warn is top of the heap, and Smittybilt has years of god reviews.

Anybody able to tell me about this Ironman options? Thanks!

https://ironman4x4america.com/monster-winch-12000lbs-12v-electric-synthetic-rope/

 

I've been using a Badlands 12k just converted it synthetic since I didn't originally buy the Apex due to skepticism thought I was going to replace with a Warn or something. 2 years and its still going strong with out issue.

I more so started watching a YT'er by the name of "Casey LaDelle" that does off road recovery's for YT and owns/runs a actual on road recovery business, he recently switched all of his winches to Badlands since his other ones where developing issues and braking.