I am looking at winches right now. Is there anything negatives on going with a 12k or 10k winch instead of a 8K? What about water proof? Are most of them the same?

 

The only thing I can think of is weight. I know alot of the Warn stuff is water proof.

 

Im pretty sure most JK mounting plates and bumpers are only rated to a 9.5K or 10K winch.

 

Sorry to hijack, but when you say most Warn winches are waterproof, does that mean that some aren't? If these winches are made to be mounted on bumpers, why wouldn't they be waterproof?

 

They'll warn you (no pun intended) about submerging them, but rain and splashes shouldn't be a problem. For that matter submerging them might not be either, but the manual says you need to have the winch serviced if you submerge it. Probably for preventative measures.

 

Actually, alot of the 10k-12k winches are pretty much the same winch as the same brand 8k-9k one. The often have the same housing, motor, etc but lower gears, and therefore slightly slower line speed. The bigger ones usually come w/ thicker and sometimes shorter cable.

Find a brand you like, and check the manufacturer's website for more info.

 

Water Resistant is a much better word, the Warn Line is water resistant but not water proof, it will keep working but when you submerge a winch you gotta do a little maintenance to keep it going strong. Out of curiosity, why such a big winch?

Even in Deep clay mud the winch is only pulling about 50-70 percent of your vehicles weight. Every other type of ground condition is less. Add a snatch block and you'll be unstoppable. An armored HMMWV doesn't even come with a 12,000 lb winch.

 

I would highly recommend you do a search for Moab Jeeper magazine. They did a fantastic article called Winches in Hell. It is a great article detailing testing of 11 winches in Moab. I think it has some tremendously useful information that will help you make your decision.

Carl

 

That doesn't really make sense. The load is the same for each situation no matter what winch you have on the plate. As TK!TJ said, it is frequently the same winch with a lower gearset.

 

Well, yes it does....one of you menas it fits, the other one means that IF you actually were in a recovery that you pulled at full power, the 12K winch might rip the bumper off, or bend the frame, etc....as the bumpers are only mounted to the frame horns....which are only so strong...especially considering they are designed to crumple in an acccident, etc.




IE: The winch might fit, but be too strong for the available places to mount it.