12 volt truck winch - what to get ?

[rfuerst911sc]

Hey guys I am installing an aftermarket front bumper on my 2001 GMC diesel 4x4 dually . The bumper is made with a built in winch plate and opening for a fairlead . The truck weighs about 7300 - 7400 lbs before fuel and people . Fuel capacity is 80 gallons between two tanks .

I think I need a 12k to 13k rated winch any thoughts on that ? Next question is steel cable or poly rope ? For my minimal expected use I don't need a top of the line Warn or Ramsey . I just can't justify the price . There are soooo many " brands " available online any thoughts or real world experience with any of them ? I am also considering HF Badlands and Tractor Supply Traveller any experience with those ?

Warranties are all over the place , 90 days to lifetime limited . For lesser known brands is it a good idea to buy extended warranty ? To be clear I don't offroad with this beast , it's more about having it available IF ever needed . Just going on looks it appears many of the " brands " look the same and may come off the same assembly line in China . The highest price winch I am considering is the Warn Evo , a winch built in China for Warn . I have found online retailers selling them for just under 700 bucks . Appreciate any advice fellas .

[onewhippedpuppy]

I put a HF Badlands on my Gladiator and was very impressed in the high quality construction, it didn’t feel cheap. But I also never used it in anger either. They are well reviewed by the Jeep off-road community. I got the poly rope line because I’ve seen how old steel winch lines can twist, rust, and fray over time, no thanks.

[vash]

my bud has that HF unit on his Jeep. he as used it to save buds.

we used it to lift a wagon wheel "chandelier" up to a ranch canopy, and the thing was awesome. light duty for that thing, but I wanted to hug it when we were done. saved us from killing ourselves.

I dont know how burly it gets to meet that "double" your predicted load thing.

[unclebilly]

I’ve had several over the past 35 years. My current tundra is the fist truck I haven’t had a winch on… yet.

They are pretty well all made in china now.

The best I had was a warn 8274 but they are big and ugly. Actually, the Aisin winch on my wife’s LX450 was better but was off a JDM Land Cruiser.

The last one was a Chinese one from Costco. It was fine but the control box quit working so I just bypassed it.

Go with an 8000 or 10000 lb winch as light as possible and double line it with a snatch block if you need the extra pull. Also get one with a synthetic line.

[herr_oberst]

I don't know anything about this brand.

Great price for a 6 ton winch with a synthetic rope, most likely pretty light duty compared to Warn or Sherpa.

[crustychief]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

I’ve had several over the past 35 years. My current tundra is the fist truck I haven’t had a winch on… yet.

They are pretty well all made in china now.

The best I had was a warn 8274 but they are big and ugly. Actually, the Aisin winch on my wife’s LX450 was better but was off a JDM Land Cruiser.

The last one was a Chinese one from Costco. It was fine but the control box quit working so I just bypassed it.

Go with an 8000 or 10000 lb winch as light as possible and double line it with a snatch block if you need the extra pull. Also get one with a synthetic line.

I have the Smittybuilt 96 on my Gladiator, it has the synthetic line. I keep a treesaver strap and snatch blocks. Have used it for self recovery a time or two and to recover others many times. good thing about synthetic is if it breaks you can repair it and you wont cut your hands on wire pokies.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

I’ve had several over the past 35 years. My current tundra is the fist truck I haven’t had a winch on… yet.

They are pretty well all made in china now.

The best I had was a warn 8274 but they are big and ugly. Actually, the Aisin winch on my wife’s LX450 was better but was off a JDM Land Cruiser.

The last one was a Chinese one from Costco. It was fine but the control box quit working so I just bypassed it.

Go with an 8000 or 10000 lb winch as light as possible and double line it with a snatch block if you need the extra pull. Also get one with a synthetic line.

Yeah I also considered going 10k and use snatch block if I was really stuck . This truck pulls my 5th wheel camper so I want to keep overall height as low as possible for air to the radiator and transmission cooler .

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

I don't know anything about this brand.

Great price for a 6 ton winch with a synthetic rope, most likely pretty light duty compared to Warn or Sherpa.

Yep one of the hundred brands out there . I received an email from Vevor , one of the available brands . A 13.5k rated winch with synthetic rope , two cordless controllers and a wired controller for $305.00 . Has a one year warranty but really where do you get any of these repaired ? I suppose if you can get parts it's a DIY .

[herr_oberst]

If you like low profile more than money, Sherpa is probably the brand you want, but they ain't cheap!

[unclebilly]

The last warn I had was a M8000 that I bought new. I had it on a couple trucks.

Eventually it succumbed to corrosion as being aluminum, it was the sacrificial anode on the bumper and frame of my truck that was exposed to salt spray 5 Months of the year.

[rfuerst911sc]

This morning I went to Tractor Supply to look at their Traveller winches , then swung by HF to look at theirs . The 10K at TS was more $$$ than the 12k at HF . Overall just based on looks the HF is a higher quality unit . The 12k top of the line ( Apex ? ) with poly line is $599.99 . IP68 rated against water/dust intrusion .

One thing I really liked about the HF is under the rubber protective cap that covers where the remote is plugged in there is a built in on/off switch . In case the winch won't shut off when pulling due to a failure you can quickly turn it off before something bad happens . Just seems smart to me . Warranty is one year .

I am now going to look at some of the others and compare . While I research I will also keep my eye out for a HF discount coupon or sale .

[juanbenae]

I have a Smittybuilt on my JK and it's a nice middle ground between a Warn and a Badlands. A number of guys in my club run the Badlands and when one was used for a significant amount of time at one point it would cycle out due to heating up too much. It would take 3-4 minutes for it to work again work for another brief tug and cycle out again. They guys that have Badlands say they're great, but if you are gunna use it use it spending a tad more might be worthwhile. Especially with the truck you will be strapping it too.

I had the Smitty on my YJ, the JK came with a Badlands and I promptly swapped them out prior to selling the YJ. What's that saying? "Buy once, cry once"....

[Rot 911]

Harborfreight Badlands. Wait until they go on sale and you can get 15% to 20% off. Comes with a synthetic rope and a remote. Here’s mine:

[rfuerst911sc]

Yesterday my inner voice told me to go to the website of the front bumper manufacturer . In bold print it stated Warn 8274 and Badland Apex winches are not compatible . I guess I missed that when I bought the bumper . I called and left a message and followed up with an email .

Basically I asked what is it about that Badland model makes it not compatible . I understand why that Warn model won't fit as it is huge/tall . I am OK if the Apex doesn't fit but I need to know why so I don't buy a different brand that won't fit . Using online manufacturer specs and a tape measure I am not seeing any issues with fitment . So purchasing a winch is on hold until I learn more about fitment .

I found " a guy " on Facebook Marketplace that is selling Warn Evo 10k winches for $600.00 . Still in sealed boxes , says he's been selling them for years . It is a model with synthetic rope . Also found an online retailer selling Mile Marker Mission 12k winches for $599.99 . Also includes synthetic rope but vendor has limited stock . I would pull the trigger on the MM but I need to be sure it will fit . Hopefully I will hear from the bumper manufacturer today so I can move forward with the winch purchase .

[onewhippedpuppy]

Are they actually not compatible or do you have to drill new holes? If the winch will physically fit then you can pretty easily make it “compatible”. Not a complex installation.

[rfuerst911sc]

I received an email reply 10 minutes ago . They said the physical size of the Badland doesn't fit , yes it can be made to fit . All other brands they have not had any fitment issues .

I am not interested in drilling new holes or using a BFH . No reason to . I want drop in and tighten the bolts . I specifically asked if the Warn Evo fits and they said yes . I am close to a decision .

[rfuerst911sc]

Well I went in a different direction . I ordered a Borne 12k winch . Different design and based out of Pennsylvania but built overseas . Synthetic rope with wired/wireless remote . Lifetime structural warranty and 7 year electrical same as Warn . Plus accident coverage . If the winch gets damaged in an accident it is covered .

Delivered to my door with tax just a little under 600 . I liked the idea of a US based home office to be able to call if needed . I sent 3 emails in the past hour or so and they were all answered within 15 minutes !!! They are a division of Mishimoto which makes all kinds of auto parts .

Winch will be delivered 3/2 - 3/4 via UPS . Oh yeah free shipping . Hopefully it all works out .

[vash]

so cool!! I've never owned a winch. but I have needed a winch exactly 3 times in my life.

I think I have used a Rivet gun 3x too.. hahah

[porsche930dude]

I use winches pretty often and they are almost always too weak for the job so I use a snatch block. So recently I said this is dumb Im only using like 20' of cable or less most of the time so I put short cables on them and I will use an extension if I need. I always have a bunch on me anyway. I had 75' cable on my jeep it was rediculous. I think it will be way stronger now but I havnt used them yet.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I’ve never heard of Bourne, but Mishimoto makes great stuff. I’ve used their intercoolers and radiators on multiple cars.