I don't wheel very hard, but often travel offroad with my family to remote places with no other Jeepers around. I would feel safer travelling with a winch to get myself, and my family, out of any predicament, should one arise. I don't really need an air compressor, as I don't ever wheel on rough, rocky trails where I need to air down my tires. I would prefer to have a synthetic winch line with a hawse fairlead. I think the synthetic line is safer and like the look of a hawse fairlead.

I'll be mounting the winch on a Shrockworks Stubby. I would like to stay at or above the 9,000lb mark, as recommended by many folks on this forum.

I have narrowed my choices down, but really like the T-Max EW-9000-WCP competition winch.



The T-Max is a 9,000lb competition winch, weighs just under 60lbs, comes with 80' of synthetic line and an aluminum hawse fairlead. I would need to buy a swivel hook, but could still get it all for under $1,000. The Warn 9.0RC is similar, but only has 50' of line and costs $200 more.



It seems to me that the T-Max is a great deal when you consider all it offers. My goal is to stay under $1,000 with winch, synthetic line, swivel hook and fairlead (whole package). I would also like to keep the weight down, since I already will have the added weight of the bumper and will not be upgrading the suspension. I understand that I may need to add a 3/4" spacer to level the rake, but would not like to add any more than that. I've read great things about T-Max winches, but would like some real-world opinions and other options that I should consider.

Thanks.

 

I've been running a T-Max on my TJ for years and it has never let me down. For the money, it really is a great winch and I would definitely recommend it.

 

I towed out a tow truck with mine.

 

LOL!! And has pics to prove it too

 

What is your opinion on the mile marker winches?

 

So far I have only used my MM PE8000 to try and pull out a fence post. I didn't get the post out, but I pulled the Jeep a lot closer to the fence.

 

FYi, if u check out summitracing.com, the "summit" brand winches are just rebadged T-max winches that are much cheaper, if you go to the websitesand bring up the winch, theres a link for like the instruction manual, and if u notice the first page is the tmax manual..

 

The whole manual is T-max!

 

I hadn't ever looked at Summit for a winch before, but you're absolutely right. Check out the "Summit Pulley Block":

 

Unbelievable! This makes me think about the quality control behind the product though. If it weren't for a few folks here (WOL included) that have personal experience with T-Max quality and reliability, I would wonder about the quality of the product. The other thing I worry about is customer service and the warranty. Looks like a generic winch (made in China) that is branded under several names. Makes me wonder now.....

I've always found it amusing that the T-Max website says they are designed, engineered and mercilessly tested in Australia, but doesn't say where they are built.

Thanks for the replies!