[67drake]

I live in a rural area and after last winter I decided I wanted a winch on my truck. If anything it would probably pay for itself in one year with all the people I pull out. I already put on a brush guard with a winch plate. Never owned one before so......
What are any known good or bad brands. Where do you find good deals? Do the synthetic ropes hold up?
Thanks

[SRR]

https://www.harborfreight.com/ZXR-12...g1In0%3D%0D%0A

[67drake]

Looks cheap enough.
Not too many winch owners here it looks like.

[brut4s]

WARN winches here. Been around a long time Made in Oregon. https://www.warn.com/

[Bills Auto Works]

Originally Posted by SRR

https://www.harborfreight.com/ZXR-12...g1In0%3D%0D%0A

These are very well made winches! I have the 9000lb versions in my enclosed trailer & on my open trailer.

I run 125-155k miles per year which means they are used alot! 5 years owning both & just recently had to replace the one in the enclosed trailer. When you figure I probably transport 100-200 cars per year, that is pretty darn good!

You can also get the wireless remote $39.99 regular price, $29.99 on sale! The winch comes with a 12 ft wired remote.

God Bless
Bill
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...closed.614419/

[400 4spd.]

I have a Warn Super Winch rated at #9500. It's been on my car trailer for 3 years and is used often without any problems. If I could upgrade it, I would have a wireless remote rather than the cord that is probably 10' long.

[72projectbird]

I have the 12000lb winch from Harbor Freight. It's a beast!

[455Grandville]

I have a old Warn that came with my old Dakota beater that I’ve used for years and it’s always worked. Only downside is they’re fairly expensive.

[pggto]

I have the 9000 lb Harbor Freight winch on my car trailer. Figured I go overkill with the weight with a cheap winch and see what happens. Winch works great so far.

[67drake]

Thanks guys.
My GVWR is 10,000lbs. So if I go 50% more, which is what some sites say, I’m looking at a BIG winch. They aren’t cheap so I figured I’d ask who has what brand. I don’t want to go too cheap and have it not work and regret it later!

[72projectbird]

Use a snatch block to double your pulling power. A 12000lb winch will pull you out of virtually any situation you'll find yourself in.

[Trulyvintage]

Winch motors are made by a handful of companies - all of which are overseas.

I use a winch daily to transport vehicles and equipment up to 8000 pounds.

For many years I have only bought Harbor Freight Badland 12K winches with wireless hand held remotes.

You can pay $ for a name plate - but the components come from the same source.


Jim
Forum Member Since August 2010

[Trulyvintage]

Coupon

[Mr Anonymous]

I have used cheapie harbor freight ones in my enclosed trailers and one open. The open has it easily removable so it never sees any sort of weather. Never had any problems. I've worked on some others that friends have had - the motor goes bad and there are no parts available.

My old equipment trailer has a monster Warn with 3/8 cable, and a pulley block. Its successfully ripped an old truck in half that was stuck in the mud, and once drug the entire truck and trailer backwards with the truck still in park. When doing a real heavy pull, i put a folded blanket over the cable in case it snaps. Otherwise, it'd be awkward explaining to my wife why my head is missing.

[67drake]

Thanks guys!
I’m going to be in a city that has a Harbor Freight tomorrow, so I’ll check out that 12,000 lb. one that a few of you mentioned. With it being on sale for $299 it looks like I can’t beat the price.

[dstryr]

The Harbor Freight 9500lb winch looks a lot like the Smittybilt winch I bought last year to mount on my flat trailer. So far so good, have used it a couple dozen times and works great. A longer remote cable would be nice for one-person operation.

[67drake]

I got one! I had to buy a sandblasting cabinet and parts washer as long as I was there too.

[Bills Auto Works]

Originally Posted by dstryr

The Harbor Freight 9500lb winch looks a lot like the Smittybilt winch I bought last year to mount on my flat trailer. So far so good, have used it a couple dozen times and works great. A longer remote cable would be nice for one-person operation.

Check the plug where the remote plugs in, if they are actually made by the same company, maybe you can use the wireless remote from H.F. If not Home Depot sells 3 or 4 wire (which ever the wired remote uses) by the foot cheap, just make it as long as you want

God Bless
Bill
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...closed.614419/

[Formulabruce]

Think about putting a receiver on the winch mount, so you can keep the winch out of the nasty weather.
Also, Think of the winch rating like a rear tire on your car. The smaller the tire, the lower the gear ratio and the more it spins to
do the same work. Winches are the same way. The 12K rating is ONLY applicable when the whole spool of wire is out, and you are winding \
the FIRST layer back on the drum. Once the drum gets fatter with wire rope, the gear ratio gets changed.
So a 12k Winch, as it sits new with say 10 feet of cable out, is probably a 9K winch.
MY Warn winch is 12 years old and still in production. XD 900i

[Boogy]

I've used 2 9000lb Superwinches for about 8 years on my trailers with no issues. One I welded a hitch and receiver set up on I can remove and the other I placed inside an locking aluminum tool box. Both work for keeping out of weather but as I'm a lazy bum when moving cars, I like the one mounted in the box better.

Oh, and both operate remotely from two keychains along with the hydraulic tilt control.... told you I was lazy.