What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Which winch

Chevk587

Chevk587

Whiskey bent & Hell bound
 Premium
GMOTM Winner
Joined
Feb 8, 2015
Posts
1,068
Reaction score
1,032
Location
California
trying to figure out which winch to buy without totally killing my pocket !

87 k5
1tons

Let me know what you guys think definitely want something water proof ?
 
And do you guys think 10,000lb or 12,000lb ?
 
Largest one you can afford. It all depends upon what you’ll be using it for - rocks, mud, etc. And if you don’t mind a little extra effort and carrying extra gear you can always use blocks and lengths of nylon straps to basically double or triple your pulling power.
 
Mostly rock warn 12000lb are about a grand
 
I have 2 smitty 12k x20 winches. Had to deal with customer service on the first one which was a pleasure. I run the one on my blazer pretty hard and have been very happy with it.

Most of my buddies that have bought a winch after me have bought the x20, all have been happy.
 
The engo skunked runs looks like a solid set up I'd look into those as well. I don't think Warn is worth the label money, but my opinion isn't always worth much either sometimes.
 
My warn m12000 has been stalled twice with my fat ass connected to it crawling. The motor finally died after 29 years. Not bad for a 200 dollar crackhead special. If you are getting smittybilt, buy from 4 wheel parts and buy the warranty. You will likely use it. I have sold hundreds but the warranty was really handy for the people who used it.
 
Thanks guys I think I’ll try the Smittybilt! I’ll Let you know how It goes
 
Last edited:
Harbor Freight 12,000 lb "Badlands" winch is on sale for $299..

Do you use one daily under extreme conditions,or once in a blue moon?..the cheap one may be sufficient for occasional use ..
I know someone who bought one of those in a bind when his Ramsey hydraulic ramp truck winch stripped the ring gear,and it worked great to get him by until the other winch was fixed..($400 just for that bronze ring gear :yikes:)..
 
Mine is a Warn VR12k
Been good to me for 5 years but I don't use it a lot. The remote stopped working one day, so I just hardwired it to a switch on the dash.
If you play in the mud, or see yourself winching a lot, spending the money on quality once is better. Mine was only $400 from Amazon at the time. It's up to $900 now :doah:
 
I've got a Smittybilt 10k. I think it's an "X20" version or something.

It's mounted on a jeep wrangler though... fawker's pulled me out of some stuff though, plenty of times!

They seem to have a decent warranty. I believe 5 years on all electrical components and limited lifetime on all mechanical parts.

I would have problem buying another. I believe I paid under $400 for this one.
 
Since you almost certainly have the place to hook it up, don't forget PTO. Cost is a little more, although you can often find a PTO unit second had cheap. Its as waterproof as your truck engine.
I won't say it has drawbacks over an electric, just differences.
Since I run all PTOs, I call the electric differences drawbacks.......
 
About 20 yrs ago I bought a 9000 lb Ramsey winch from Harbor Freight for $500, probably one of my better purchases from HF. If I remember correctly, Ramsey made more of the industrial/commercial type winches used in the oil field and they were beginning to market toward consumer's to compete with Warn. It's been a great winch, I have not had any issues with it. I built a receiver hitch setup so it's only in the weather when I need it.
 
If you want to go classic look at the sidewinder or a worm drive winch. desert dynamics, ramsey, thor
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom