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which winch?

Discussion in 'Off-Roading & Trails' started by Gabassman, Aug 13, 2013.

  1. Aug 13, 2013 at 6:56 PM
    #1
    Gabassman

    Gabassman [OP] Drive it like a 4WD

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    Decided to throw around the idea of getting a winch setup?
    First off I plan to get an ATO front mount with a winch mount carrier. For obvious reasons to be able to take the winch off and keep out of the weather.

    Secondly in all my research I want a warn M8000 with synthetic winch line or a new zeon. I personally cant justify spending $800+ on just a winch that is being purchased as a means of being prepared since I never know when my tires will leave the pavement and im usually running solo. Ive used come alongs and well it absolutely sucks

    Now Ive been scouring the internet reading reviews and looking at different winches on Amazon.

    What I found and considering

    Warn vr8000 with wire cable on amazon for $479 with amazon prime free shipping. Read in a review or two that the vr model is made in China. That aggravates me in that warn is or apparently was a USA made product.
    http://www.amazon.com/WARN-86245-VR8000-000-Winch/dp/B004UJ3IAQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376444056&sr=8-1&keywords=warn+vr

    Superwinch Tiger shark 9.5 wire cable for $349 with prime.
    http://www.amazon.com/Superwinch-1595200-capacity-roller-fairlead/dp/B008JCW9GY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376444095&sr=8-1&keywords=superwinch

    Superwinch LP8500 for 299 with prime.
    http://www.amazon.com/Superwinch-1585202-LP8500-8500lbs-handheld/dp/B0030E5HS8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1376443873&sr=8-2&keywords=superwinch

    Smittybilt xrc comp 8 with synthietic line for $449 also prime.
    http://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-98281-XRC-8-Comp-Series-Winch/dp/B003CGBN3C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376444232&sr=8-1&keywords=smittybilt+xrc8

    Smittybilt xrc 8 wire cable for $299 with prime.
    http://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-97281-XRC-8-000-Winch/dp/B001CF1Y0C/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1376444324&sr=8-2&keywords=smittybilt+xrc8

    Now with all that being said they all fall in my proposed price limit of $500
    Now im mentally debating which winch would be the best buy for me.
    I want sythetic rope but i cant decide if it is worth getting the only one with in my price range with rope (smittybilt xrc8 comp), or to look at the superwinchs or the warn vr series. Ive read good things about the superwinches and warns but i dont know about their low end winches such as the ones i linked above.

    So what im asking is for occasional use at most 10 times a year(honestly not even that much), is synthetic rope worth the extra dough and or is it worth the extra 180 for the warn compared to the 299 smittybilt or superwinch?

    I could just keep going asking question but im gonna leave it at that for now
     
  2. Aug 13, 2013 at 7:19 PM
    #2
    DaBears

    DaBears Well-Known Member

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    I looked into winches a few years ago for my own wish list. what I found was a ENGO winch was the best bang for the buck, it outlasted other winches in a side by side comparison. it didn't cost as much and worked flawlessly under water. which could be important if you wheel by yourself.
     
  3. Aug 13, 2013 at 7:23 PM
    #3
    Gabassman

    Gabassman [OP] Drive it like a 4WD

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    Thanks ill add that to my list of things to look into. Did you ever end up gettin one?
     
  4. Aug 13, 2013 at 7:27 PM
    #4
    xaqori

    xaqori Grammer knotsy

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    You won't regret buying an m8000...
     
  5. Aug 13, 2013 at 7:31 PM
    #5
    DaBears

    DaBears Well-Known Member

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    No I got the other kind of winch and had a kid. JK
    But extra funds got low after that.
     
  6. Aug 13, 2013 at 7:33 PM
    #6
    Gabassman

    Gabassman [OP] Drive it like a 4WD

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    Thats what ive been telling myself. The cheapest ive found is 600 on Amazon. I talked to a Warn rep at a 4wd show on sunday who told me the vr series is made out of the same material as the m8000 they just have a different gear set up or something along those lines.
     
  7. Aug 13, 2013 at 7:35 PM
    #7
    Gabassman

    Gabassman [OP] Drive it like a 4WD

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    It happens thats why at 23 im wanting to get everything that i want done now before i find myself in that same situation.
     
    ramonortiz55 likes this.
  8. Aug 13, 2013 at 8:20 PM
    #8
    tex

    tex Well-Known Member

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    I have the Superwinch Tigershark and I am very happy with it. I went with cable to save money since I didn't plan to use it all the time and to stay within a budget. I told myself I would get synthetic rope in a year or so.
    I have also heard and read good things about the Engo.
     
  9. Aug 13, 2013 at 8:24 PM
    #9
    Gabassman

    Gabassman [OP] Drive it like a 4WD

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    I like the Tiger shark in that its a 9,500#. How is the retrieve speed and the duty cycle?
     
  10. Aug 13, 2013 at 8:26 PM
    #10
    MrGrimm

    MrGrimm Mall Crawler

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    Superwinch and Warn are both good choices. I may not be too sure about the new Warn Zeon lineup. Stick with the USA made products. When it comes down to having to use it, you wouldn't want it failing on you because you opted for the cheap route.

    I am still waiting on getting a winch as well. There was only one time that I really needed one. Other times, I had other guys pull or winch me out.
     
  11. Aug 13, 2013 at 8:26 PM
    #11
    Gabassman

    Gabassman [OP] Drive it like a 4WD

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    I read a review that the fairlead dosnt bolt to the winch body. if thats the case it wont work for my pruposes since its going to be used on a removable winch cradle.
     
  12. Aug 13, 2013 at 8:31 PM
    #12
    Gabassman

    Gabassman [OP] Drive it like a 4WD

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    After reading some review both the superwinch tiger shark and the warn vr8000 are made in china along with smittybilt.
     
  13. Aug 14, 2013 at 7:10 AM
    #13
    Gabassman

    Gabassman [OP] Drive it like a 4WD

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    Good morning bump.
     
  14. Aug 14, 2013 at 7:16 AM
    #14
    Large

    Large Red

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    The smittybilt xrc8 I had worked great after a little "elbow grease", check out my build thread. Also if you wait until black friday, you can get a warn M8000 for about 450 with a wireless remote from 4WP.
     
  15. Aug 14, 2013 at 7:31 AM
    #15
    skytower

    skytower Well-Known Member

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    Hitch and wiring, aux back-up light, rear strobe lights, radio and underseat sub.
    The winch cradle I'm using from Curt has a place to bolt on the fairlead. I have the LP8500
     
  16. Aug 14, 2013 at 7:55 AM
    #16
    Gabassman

    Gabassman [OP] Drive it like a 4WD

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    If I could get that deal that's what I would get no questions asked. Thanks for the heads up.
     
  17. Aug 14, 2013 at 7:56 AM
    #17
    Gabassman

    Gabassman [OP] Drive it like a 4WD

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    How do you like the lp8500 it's a good price on Amazon.
     
  18. Aug 14, 2013 at 8:05 AM
    #18
    hawker25

    hawker25 Well-Known Member

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    putting in my 2 cents
    I actually have the vr8000 and it is a great winch. I have had it for about 2 years now and it has never let me down in any recovery situation. no matter the crappy conditions I have put it through it is still a beast. Look at my pics and you can see me pulling my buddies ford superduty out from under his fifth wheel and onto another fifth wheel trailer and this thing weighs 12,000lbs plus.
     
  19. Aug 14, 2013 at 8:11 AM
    #19
    jsmarine

    jsmarine Well-Known Member

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    Get a Warn winch. I had a Smittybilt winch on my old 4runner and it was nothing but problems. Even though I maintained it and always checked it before I left the driveway to hit the trails, it just wasnt reliable. Trust me, when you are stuck and your winch isnt working, you will wish you had spent the extra $100 or so and got a better winch.

    To get the most for your money right now, you should consider getting a good winch with a wire rope, and upgrade to synthetic at a later date.
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2013
  20. Aug 14, 2013 at 8:29 AM
    #20
    Gabassman

    Gabassman [OP] Drive it like a 4WD

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    I like the VR series from what ive read except that ive read that its made in china or the parts are. Kinda disappointing least its still a warn.

    Thanks for having an opinion on buying cable or rope up front. I felt it to be more important to first get a good/decent winch then later on upgrade.
     
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