which winch

just got back from a 3hour round trip that lasted 7 at our local ohv park with a buddy and his 2000 wrangler .we made it to a big log after about ten 3 ft drops.my jeep made it over with only a little push, while his got hung up on his trans lowering kit. we couldnt jack it up high enough to get it clear of the log,finly had to yank it over. I realized that if i go with yuppies and their barbie jeeps im going to need a winch .what one do you guys use??R)

 

How much you looking to spend? I bought one this year and ask myself several questions before I did. First was how much did I want to spend for something I would only use a handful of times a year. Next was, if I have a winch am I going to try stupid stuff that I should know better than to try. And last was, how much do I want to spend to pull out someone else who is trying something stupid. In the end I bought a fairly cheap 12,000lb winch made in China. It does work well but it make me think before I try something, I mean really, when was the last time you bought something made in China that was top quality? I got mine from Greg Smith Equipment in Indy for about 500.00.

 

WARN... 9k or bigger unless you get the 8274

 

Can't go wrong with a 8274. Fast line speed (you can drive and winch at the same time) and long cable (150'.)

 

It's the $1,200 pricetag that I can't handle. I bought a Ramsey 8k. It works well enough. And as was mentioned above, you usually use the winch to pull someone else out. We get a lot of downed trees over the trails here and I've used it to move them out of the way many times. The only winch that can whup the 8274 is a Koenig or Ramsey PTO as far as line speed and spool capacity.

 

Have you guy's seen the new winch from warn that is both a winch and an compressor. Very cool, Very$$$$. I think they are close to $1700. But I guess if you add up a compressor and a winch, you are probably right in there for this setup. Here is a link.http://www.warn.com/powerplant_hp.shtml This way you could go around and pump up your friends tires too! Or blow dry your girlfriends hair while out camping! Maybe not.

 

8274.....I got mine used for 300.00 in Denver. I've seen several aroung CO and none went for more than 500.00

 

8274 is probably the best electric winch out there but pricey. Can be had used in good condition if you are patient. Warn makes a budget winch that seems to be pretty good, I think it's called a Tabor. T-max seems to be holding up well also. I don't like the Ramsey planetary winches. I've seen way to many problems with them. The worm drives are nice but very slow. I'd consider a Harbor Freight winch only for use on my trailer or something like that. Never on a vehicle because if you have on your vehicle you're gonna depend on it. Just my opinion. Nickmil

 

I picked up a used Warn XD8000i for $400. I have used it several times (never on myself though) and it works great. Fast line speed and 100' of cable. Too bad they stopped making them. The current Warn 8000 is not quite as fast as the XD8000i.

 

Seems like as good an idea as a TV with built in VHS player or DVD player. One dies........well, you know. I'll take separate units any day.

 

Yep, 8274. A buddy of mine got one that was pretty much never used for $250, so just look around. Also, a few of the club members here have had good luck with Mile Marker winches. Ramseys seem to hold up good from what I have seen, but the ones I have used were kinda slow.

 

8274 will still be worth something in 20 years...

 

Good point Posimoto. I didn't think of that!
I also have a warn 8274 that I bought used many years ago, still works great. I think if you put the word out to your 4x4 friends, someone will come up with a good used one for reasonable price.