Hi, I'm trying to decide between the two rugged ridge steel cable winches. One is the 8,500lb one with a 5.5hp motor that I can get for $280 shipped and the other is a 10,500lb one with a 6.6hp motor that I can get for $370 shipped. Should I spend the extra money for the bigger one, especially since it has a bigger motor, unlike the smittybilt 10k winch, or will the smaller one be enough? Thanks for the help. And yes, I understand that I should get a warn winch but my budget simply doesn't allow for it..

 

The true question is where do you need the money worse. I went with the Smitty 8 due to I am not one to adventure out into stupid stuff alone so I normally don't think of it as an only option. However I do think of it as a handy tool that can become an only option. If you wheel alone, buy the bigger one, your day being a good day may depend on it.

 

8500 is really enough. See if you can swap for synthetic line.

 

Yeah, that may be a good idea. Now that I think about it I wheel alone a lot more than I do with other people, There's not quite as many offroaders up here in NE as there is in California and places like that. Plus, I love doing stupid stuff with the jeep... within reason. I like going through deep mud and through big sand pits, stuff like that, so maybe I should go with the big one. Thanks

 

It's 90$. Go big or go home.


Oh I've got the RR 10.5k lol.

 

Yeah, I know its just $90 but I figured for the same price I could get the 8.5k with some recovery gear too but I will probably get the 10.5k. Thanks

 

I have the Smittybilt XRC12, and surprise it never runs out of pulling power. It seems like a very well built product.

 

Go with the larger one so you don't have to mess around with a snatch block.

I have an 8500lb winch and it's gutless. I think if I grab the line and pull it myself I would get the job done faster and better

 

Since you like going out alone and playing in deep mud, you might consider a dual battery setup and maybe a better alt also.

 

Thanks for all the input! Just pulled the trigger on a rugged ridge 10,500lb winch today for $359 shipped!!!