Same experience here

Had an XRC, first time I needed to use it, wouldn't work. Didn't care about warranty at that point, frustration drove me to send that thing straight to the trash bin. Bought a Warn Zeon same day, numerous successful pulls since.

Don't recall which model it was now, but know of another person in a local club that went through three smitty winches (two of which were warranty replacements), and they all eventually failed in some manner.

Though to counter the above, do have a friend with an X20 that has been a very reliable workhorse.

 

The biggest issue between the two, and Smittybilt in general, is quality control. Some guys have a Smitty and it works fine, others are junk. You are hard pressed to find bad stories on a Warn. For me, a winch is something that must work every time. I went with warn.

 

I will say Warn is top of the line.

Now I'll also say others are good too. I'll say if your getting a 8000 lb winch for $400 you can't compare it to a 8000 lb $800 unit.
I had a 9500 lb Ramsey that wouldn't pull a hair out of my butt. I have seen the cheap warn 8000 lb that were junk.

 

First, the difference is the price. I went with Smittybilt because I scored a good deal from http://4wheelonline.com/jeep/smittybilt.93516. I've used it extensively and it hasn't let me down. I know some guys had not so good experience with Smitty but in my case, I have no complaints so far.

 

I would also recommend:

No matter what winch you buy, it might be smart making that "first" time using it in the driveway rather than when you are stuck in a trail! That way you can ensure you wired it right, installed correctly and working before you just assume so and hit trails only to have it not work.

 

Smittybilt for 4 years on my CJ7 and used the &$@/ out of it. Not 1 issue !!! Save the money

 

Not trying to alienate you, but i've been running a Qtec with synthetic line for about a year, half dozen pulls, no issues. Price is right too.

 

I have a Smitty. Used a half dozen times over the last two years. Never an issue.

 

Cormac, excellent !! Are you sure you drive a Jeep !!

 

The warn VR series is good and reasonable priced. I have 10000 one on my work truck & have used it many times with no issues.