I've got a new bumper with a giant winch-shaped hole. This feels like buying a garage door opener...seems like any one will do so long as the motor's got enough wallop.

9500lb+ seems to be the way to go, which is just under 2.5x the vehicle weight. And that only narrows the options down to about 60 different manufacturers and countless winch models.

1. What's the difference between a $350 winch and a $1100 winch that are both rated for 9500lbs?

2. I've seen "fully waterproof" models. What's the sell here--have non-waterproof winches not been rained on and accidentally submerged for years?

3. Synthetic or steel cable line? I'm interested in which one is safer (although I recognize safety also depends on how the operator uses it...)

 

9,500-12,000 will be a good choice.

Main difference in the cheap/ expensive winches would be brand name and warranty (if you are lucky). The cheap Engo winch beat out most all other winches last year in a winch shootout. But it lost to Warn due to ease of winch controller (bias).

Synthetic is lighter and safer now than steel cable. Synthetic does have it's drawbacks in sharp rock gardens though. Synthetic does not have the same kinetic energy when snapping as cable does. Cable will snap, then sling through people , trees, and Jeeps (when overloaded).

Not 100% sure on benifits of "waterproof" winches. I've always heard, just relocate solenoid to engine bay to keep it out of water. Body itself, just tun a bead of silicone around it, and it will be waterproof enough.

Personal opinion time... I'm getting a $300 12,000 lb winch. It's cheap, and i have faith it will work when i need it to. Ebay is where i'll be getting it from if i can't find one on CL.

 

I'm interested in this too. From what I've read, the less spendy winches are made in china, and not always as reliable. As for waterproof, I have no idea. And I personally am sold on synthetic line. I will sit back now and see what others with more experience have to say.

 

I'm running a cheap, Harbor Freight Badlands 12k winch. It also did well in a test against more expensive options. It was on my TJ for about a year, then i moved it to my JK. It has worked well for me several times over the last 2 years. I did put synthetic line on. I'm a fan of the light weight and safety. I also put a cover on to protect the line from sun and elements. I think with the more expensive winches you can get faster pulling motors, liquid cooled things, and definitely a nicer fit/finish.
I would price out your dream winch,,, then look at a cheap, or even used winch,, figure the cost difference and see if you could use the money somewhere else. A CB, recovery gear, High Lift jack, lights, stereo upgrade, fire extinguisher,ETC...
That's what I love about Jeeps,,,, It's all up to you!

 

Tons of threads on this topic. Anyone claiming they are less reliable has no proof that it is true. Failure rates of Smitty and other chinese winches are no higher than Warn. Unless someone has done a long term study, anyone claiming realiability issues is full of s**t. And any of those magazine shootouts are so full of bias that it is sickening. The one that a previous poster mentioned chose Warn over others because it was "pretty". Forget the fact that it failed long before others. Hey, at least it looks nice on my bumper.....

The real descision on winches (outside if synth vs cable) is what is your primary use of it will be. If you are an occasional wheeler then any of the sub $500 ones are perfect. If you wheel all the time and frequently need to use it for long periods of time, you want a winch that is rated for constant duty. That's where companies like Warn and Mile Marker will give you better offerings. But they will cost more.

 

Thanks for the input so far.

What's maintenance like on any winch, and do you have to periodically condition or do anything with the lines esp. if they're not used except for a couple times/year?



Speaking of "expensive winches" --I was sold on one of those once because it came with the promise of pulling a lot of weight while operating smoothly, quietly, etc. Well it never works but it gets really loud whenever I want to spend money. Weird, eh? (Joking...let's see if my other half reads this on here...I'm soooo in the doghouse...hahah!)

 

If you use the winch in a muddy situation, when you get home, just spool it out and clean it out/off. Winch cover is good, cheap insurance, as it keeps "harmful UV rays" off the line.

 

I'm running a $1400 Warn XD9000i and love it! I got my dad a el cheapo "robo winch" (9.5k) for $275 and it works great.... But I'd be willing to bet my Warn will last longer and I know it will out perform his.... My buddy has a quadratec winch that 9500 lbs it couldn't get him unstuck.... But my Warn did free him right up

 

I run a Superwinch Talon 9.5isR. They are expensive, but are a beast of a winch, and also the most waterproof winch you can buy. I got mine with synthetic line

 

Everyone has the best in their opinion so just buy the one that makes you happy and it will be the best. The expencive winches have a faster retreive speed so it just depends on how fast you want to get unstuck. If you can't get replacement parts it's a disposable winch.