What's the best winch?

I'm currently in the market for a new bumper and winch... which brings me to the question:

What's the best winch in your opinion? And why? Obviously we're all going to have different uses and that will dictate a lot, but let's start a discussion about an overall best winch for any scenario. Mall-crawler but occasional camper? Everyday drive vs dedicated overland vehicle?

Personally, my truck is a semi daily driver (I use it to go to the store, but I have a work truck I use mostly) so it's main use is camping/overlanding. Being in Florida, I don't do much rock crawling unless I get out of state a couple times a year.

Let's hear your thoughts

 

Warn

 

T= B - M/(C x U x R)

T= Type of winch you should get
B = Budget
M = Winch model cost
C = Cool factor
U = How much you’ll actually use it
R = Reliability

 

Agreed. Having taken apart and rebuilt a few, I'm loyal to Warn.

But be aware, Warn has different tiers of their winches. The VR models are not US made like the M series. I personally run a Warn XD9000 and it has worked flawless for me every time I've needed it.



But as always, your use case should dictate the money you spend on one.

 

Nice work, I’m impressed. Does Warn actually even supply new stickers like that? That’s great!

 

Yep. I messaged Warn that I was rebuilding a winch and would like some replacement decals. Not only were they helpful in telling me some history about the winch, where and when it was manufactured, but the also mailed the decals to me for free. Super helpful folks and they were happy to see me restoring one of their old products.

 

Warn

 

Excellent. I’d buy WARN just for this^. A company that employs humans who know things and help you keep their old things working.

 

This is my pick. Aussie...

Sherpa 'Mustang' - 9,500Lb Winch - Sherpa Winches USA (sherpa4x4.com)

It is on my summer upgrade list. I hate doing work on my truck in the 20's and 30's. Plus, I wait for the Memorial Day sales. Better prices and my fingers don't freeze.

 

Well, customer service cinches it. Warn.

 

Warn winch !!! ..... I've had a Warn 8274 and then a Warn XD 9000 winch on my 68 M38A1 Jeep Rock crawler. Both of these winches were bullet proof and got me out of some crazy situations

 

100% why I'm a fan boy.

 

Brand-wise you’re going to hear warm. But like above, not all warns are the same these days. Guys at the local 4wd store talked me out of a warn VR and into a smittybilt instead. I’ve had 2 smittys and never got let down, but I’ve only needed them 2 or 3 times a year. Each time to get up icy or slushy logging roads in Western NC.

 

Long ago, I drove literally 10s of thousands of off-road miles as a surveyor in Florida.

Stuck several times, mostly we (3 man crew) were able to self recover. Warn winches on both trucks. One PTO, one electric. Again long ago, products unavailable today.

But. I'd never apply the term 'overlanding' to anywhere in Florida.

 

Dang Bert, you’ve got some mad skills there! If I did that kind a work on my kitchen table I’d be in the market for a new wife and a place to sleep!

 

It was definitely not the best marital decision I ever made, but wives are temporary, a Warn lasts forever.

I think that's from their ad campaigns.

Rebuilding or servicing them is actually pretty enjoyable. Ultimately, very simple machines. A drill motor with a drive shaft to planetary gears. I bought that M8000 for $60, so very low risk. Warning though, parts ain't cheap.

Here is the guide I used for the rebuild.

https://youtu.be/3zzSC6uBdDw?si=gUYw45qv_1EAxfGJ

 

I've had good luck with the Badlands apex 12k winch. good bang for buck. I see a lot of yt running them without being sponsored so it cant be half bad.

 

I'll second the Badland 12k. Best bang for your buck at this time. Mine has worked like a charm so far.

 

Warn……..you get what you pay for.

 

this is a lot like the question "what's the best vehicle?"

a ton of it comes down to your expected usage.

officially, a mitsubishi mirage meets all of our personnel movement needs. it's got 4 wheels, storage space for groceries, and is street legal.


warn has built up a reputation in the industry as a leader. but that also means you're paying for that reputation. no different than buying snap-on instead of harbor freight.

so as i said first, it comes down to how you're going to use it. if it's every single day, with long, hard pulls, where you're beefing up the entire vehicle electrical system to deal with it, i think a premium option like warn is ideal.

but if you're only going to use it occasionally, there's absolutely nothing wrong with Amazon or harbor freight winches. most will do the same task to the same end result. there's at least 3-4 youtubers that have made a very profitable living off the harbor freight winch(some of them won't use warn specifically after getting repeatedly stranded by them), using it more than i've ever only imagined using a winch.