Which winch?

‘06 single cab 4wd 4cyl
3315 curb weight
5100 gvwr
It won’t even get close to the max as this won’t be an over landing rig or carrying a lot of camping gear. Just a hunting rig getting in and out of tight places.
A few questions:
1) Can I get by with a 6000 lb winch? Say a 4k vehicle weight X 1.5 = 6k lbs.
2) What is the consensus on Ramsey winches? The Patriot 6000 is Made in USA and has a lifetime warranty. Overpriced? Worth it?
3) What’s the winch out there that’s a real hidden gem as far as quality and price?
Thanks.

 

I wouldn't go any smaller than a 9k lbs rated winch

As for a winch mfg I reccomend Warn industries

 

Harbor Freight has some decent winches at a good price

 

This

 

Thanks for the link 4x4, that’s some good info.
Does Warn make any winches in the US?
VR is made in China.

 

Yes the VR winch is made in China , all their other winches are US built /mfgd in Oregon

 

Do they even make 6k winches for trucks? Smallest I think I've seen for automotive applications is a 8k. I almost feel like a 6k would be for a side by side.

8k is plenty for a pretty much stock Taco. Figure with a snatch block you're pulling more like 16k anyway.

All Warn except the VR are US made. I own two VR8, one steel in my 4R and one synthetic in the Taco. I'm very pleased with them but the "made in China " thing ain't for everyone.

 

Also, keep in mind that winches are rated on the 1st layer of cable. With each subsequent layer, the pulling power decreases. For hard pulls, using a snatch block accomplishes 2 things. The snatch block doubles the pulling power and spooling out more cable gets you on a lower number of layers on the drum.

 

Warn all the way.

 

My favorite two Warn winches I've used over the years are

Warn 8274 series

Warn XD9000I series

 

Warn M8000s would get the job done for you

 

For MeefZah...
http://ramsey.com/shop/applications/off-road/patriot-6000/
5.5 HP and 90:1 gear ratio

 

I ran a Smittybilt XRC9.5 (9500# rated) on my old '94 Land Cruiser. At the time, if I could have afforded it, I probably would have gotten a Warn because of their reputation, but I loved that Smittybilt winch. Used it on several occasions both recovering myself and other rigs. It was the first thing to come off before I sold my LC. I've got plans to get a hidden winch mount and put it on my 2nd gen at some point. Might throw some synthetic line on, but the steel cable is still good.

 

My only experience with Ramsey winches was in a commercial application with Ramsey hydraulic winches. The drum and dogs were made out of aluminum and the shaft was too small for the application. The shaft twisted, distorted the keyway, and caused all Hell to break loose. Ramsey warranteed 1 pair of winches. When the replacement pair destroyed themselves, they basically said, "we're not going to do anything more for you". I would never give Ramsey a dime of my money.

 

For the price of a Warn 9000 pound you can get a smittybilt 12k with synthetic, and like 8 cases of beer.

 

"We've still got 7 cases of beer left and we've got a 12K LB winch if things go wrong. HIT IT!"

 

I vote Warn as well. Here’s mine hidden behind the hinged license plate in a CBI T3

 

That's a horrible picture of your winch.

 

That's exactly the point, its hidden from view. Driving around the world I want a understated a truck as possible