Guys,
Harbor Freight has a 25% off single item coupon......use coupon code 85915520 ....I used it to get the winch for $299......$100 bucks off....you can't afford not to try it for that price.....but if you have been looking at any other big ticket items.....use the coupon code fo 25% off today only !

 

Is that brand any good? i've never heard it, Badlands...

 

Don't know....hanging my hat on this ......for the price it's worth a try
Badlands 12,000-Pound Winch - The Best Deal In Winching - Off-Road Magazine

 

Actually doesn't sound that bad in that article, but reading a test here: Massive Multi-Winch Shootout - Four Wheeler Magazine
I would pick the Engo one for a budget winch.

 

Did you see the comments at the end ???

 

Yeah those comments really summed it all up.

This is a great coupon deal, but as far as winches go in my mind. I'm all for Mile Marker. All of the US Army Humvees that have winches, use Mile Marker.

 

Exactly, the Engo was one of only 2 to survive the test.

 

I just had a bad experience with Milemaker....shame ......bought from them before and liked the quality for the price.....449s stainless hubs for my Excursion fit loose....needed a different snap ring that should be included.....**** poor customer service....done with them !

 

Cant blame you there. Their hubs are too expensive to be shortchanged like that. i just got the stainless ones for my Bronco, thankfully they came with the new snap-rings.

 

I've had really bad luck with Harbor Freight power tools lately. I'd only consider Badlands if it is an independent brand, and not just a Harbor Freight private label made in China. Does anyone know? I also remember that my company bought a bunch of their cheap little led flashlights thinking they would work well for cheap giveaway ideas but they turned out not last very long (the individual leds failed) and even though we were giving them away free, they were eventually seen as junk and it reflected badly on us.

 

Jeep guys don't seem to like them much.

Badlands winches - Jeep Wrangler Forum

It is a Harbor freight line. Was the Chicago line, but they renamed it....

 

It's hit or miss with Harbor Freight for sure.....I have stuff that is still going.....and stuff that quit within a week.....but a 12k winch for $299....can't pass it up....the 100 ft of cable and bushinged fairlead is worth that......I will let everyone know it it is a chunk of ****

 

njneer, get the Engo winch, i'll give you a link for a guy selling the 12000lbs one at $349, with free shipping.
http://www.wranglerforum.com/f123/en...102100-11.html

 

HF hired a laid off designer from Warn, he designed the Badlands winch for them. I have a Four Wheeler or Petersons mag that had a two page write up on the new Badlands winch's. From what they said its suppose to be very good. I wish i would have seen the coupon i would have bought the 12000lbs winch for my F350

 

People give HF a hard time, I know a lot of their tools are just re branded Chinese stuff made in the same darn factories they make other name brands. Including this fricken Winch that I swear is just a rebranded other brand.

Just recently they took a nosedive in quality though, some cost cutting measures I think. I picked up a reciprocating saw for $30 to replace my old $30 one that I lost (don't ask how) and it's nowhere near as nice as my old one. The old one was as good as ANY mid-level $100 reciprocating saw, I think they rebranded their $40 one?. Anyways, for quality, the same goes for my $15 grinder, numerous sockets and wrenches, etc.
My grinder hasn't been in my garage since I bought it.. seriously, three winters, countless rains, sun, etc and it is still running strong. Just a crappy Harbor freight I got for almost free.

Same goes for my 220v air compressor, big 29g, dual piston, huge motor, just as good as any $1200 compressor you see in a hardware store. With a 20% discount, plus a 20% girlscout discount I got it for like $250 and it's on its 4th or 5th year. Also love my Chicago Mig Welder for $150

Off subject a little but I just had a Craftsman drill outlast an expensive Dewalt by two years. Don't give brand any consideration, you just have to pick the tool / item up, look at it and then decide. No one makes their own stuff anymore!