I am hoping to tap the infinite wisdom of my fellow trekking nuts.  Just had Columbia Rovers install a new ARB winch bumper on my 02 Discovery II.  Now looking at winches.  Since I will potentially only use it a handful of times per year I don't need the top of the line.  Any suggestions...  Gorilla, Warn, Superwinch?  Like the new Superwinch Rock 95.  I have seen the other threads in which Superwinch was well liked.  Growing up on the farm we always just used a good sturdy come-a-long, but those are not strong enough for pulling a rig out of the mud.

Finding a refurbished unit would be great but hard to find.  Finding a used one all the better.

You only need that cheap winch to fail once.

Think hard on this...would you buy a cheap crash helmet cause you think you might only need it once?

If you must cheap out, cut back on the Starbucks and go to McDonalds.

Just my $.02

I've used Warn's for over 35 years, and never a problem.  Rule of thumb is to guessimate the weight of your fully laden vehicle then get a winch with twice the pull capacity.  You guys on the westside play in the mud and water a lot more than I ever would.  But even with that consideration, I wouldn't go too far over the rule of thumb or you'll end up carrying a lot of unneeded dead weight on that new bumper of yours.

Dale WU7X

I have one of the Smittybilt  winches. The one I have is just a re-badged Milemarker. I have been very impressed with this winch, it has pulled me out of some nasty spots. I have done 3 consecutive 60'+ pulls up a hill with it and it wasn't even hot. My only beef with the winch was the cheapish cable(now replaced with Amsteel synthetic). I have the first series and now they are putting out their 3rd series which are ALOT better. Starting at around 300 bucks, it seem to be the best of both worlds.

http://www.smittybilt.com/product/index/38.htm

I found a Warn 8274 on craigslist for 300 dollars so good winches are out there for great prices..... it works great and I just had a little bit of cleanup and maintenance to do. I also have a (everyone cover you ears) harbor freight special  8000 Lbs chicago electric winch, that was on my F-350 for 4 years... the only problem I had was the wires in the solenoid pack rubbed together enough to wear and short. Luckily this did not activate the winch. I have since rewired the pack and its better than it was before, and installed some chaff protection. I have seen this winch next to the Ramseys and it looks identical.?. I have been told it is just re-badged, but I am not sure. I would not count on it very far out in the boonies as my only option.... but it is going in my rear bumper once I get it built.

I got the HF for $250 on sale, I paid $300 for the Warn used, I know which one I trust, but their both just another tool in the toolbox when you get stuck.


Here is a really good review of most of the name brands you hear around, read the whole thing and there are links at the end to the specs that they measured. bear in mind they took all the winches unproven out to the testing area.... so they had some failures that I believe are preventable just by going out and learning what your winch can do. Then these little flaws come out and you can fix them. This test was do or die. good reading either way

www.moabjeeper.com/articles/general/listing.cfm

wow, thanks for the quick reply and great info.  Although I'm hoping there are no dancing ballarina's around when I'm winching...  I'll be wrapped up in the cable and taken to the looney bin.  (thanks for the image Isaak!) Oh and Morris, McDonald's does have cappucino's now so maybe I can give up my Starbucks and thus my yuppie loafers too!

I also have a Smittybilt winch.  Although a slow puller, it's a sure puller.  Not only was the price right, at around $300 but, for an additional $30 4WP (4 wheel Parts) gave me a "No questions asked unlimited liftetime warranty."   Drown it, set it on fire, they'll send you a new one.

Ramsey RE12000 Worm drive winch.  To say that it has proven itself in the field would be a gross understatement.

A couple more...

Just curious, thanks. My carpet is probably synthetic, but its still like a biology experiment.