So from what I can gather about winches it looks like if I want pull and line speed warn wins followed by the ramsey patriot series. But, if all i care about is that it pulls me out and speed doesn't really matter then milemarker is the way to go. Am I correct or off track? Is there anything else I'm missing? I'm looking for a winch in the 10.5-12k range and since I'm more of a weekend warrior type the MM 12000 is looking mighty appealing. About $600 v. about $1200 is quite the difference.

Justin

 

Amp draw is something else to look at. If you toast your battery while winching yourself, you are up the creek. Line speed IS important, as with a higher line speed you can use the 'drive' the vehicle along with the winch and help the vehicle out of the stuck. The pull rating can always be helped out by using a ****** block and doubling back the cable. The most important thing is reliability. If your winch quits working, then you will find yourself stuck but good, and realize that you just don't care about line speed, amp draw, or pull.
As a Captain Safety alert.... When you do get your winch, follow all safety rules and always keep the area around the winch cable clear of people. Always put a coat, or blanket, or something like that on the winch cable to absorb the energy that will be released should that cable snap under load!

 

I've had experience with winches, just not electrics. I've used a PTO winch on a scout II so I know the basics. what i really liked about it was that it was run off of the T-case so you could vary the speed and pull by selecting gears AND varying the motor speed. I'm still contemplating how i want to go, but i like the whole if you flip it over you can stand it back up with an electric without worry. I just don't like the idea of spending more on a winch then I'll have in my truck making it 4 wheel drive, but there is always the whole pull it off of this truck an put it on the next. . . I'll see what happens with my cash flow, that'll dictate everything.

Justin

 

Does saving 600 bucks sitting in a bog with a dead winch sound like a deal to you? When you play these games quality is the key. Open up a 4 by mag and look at the real trucks in the pics. Especially the Top Truck Challenges. 9 out of 10 are running Warns. Must say something.

 

That's what I'm asking, is there really that much of a quality difference in the unit itself, or is it in things like faster line speed and peripherals that make the warns and patriots so much more expensive?


Justin

 

one hting is the motors on the cheaper winches are permanent magnet....so they get weaker everytime you use them.....the warns are series wound and the motors run alot stronger and will last much longer

and i really like the way warns clutches engage compared to the cheper winches, not to mention they usually have a better brake too

 

THAT'S the kind of input that I'm looking for. Thanks 85.


Justin

 

your welcome as always

 

My two cents is on the electrical side - get the highest insulation possible, so you don't burn up wires or the motor during a heavy, long pull.

Since I'm new to winches and would like to get one for a '04 F150 (screw 4x4), what range of capacities would be recommended for mainly mudd (Louisiana - what else is there but mud)

 

i run a mile ++++er 9000 lb winch and for the price, it's a pretty nice bang for the buck. when my truck gets more to a trail only rig, i will consider upgrading. but for my daily driver, weekend off-roader it works great. i get stuck alot and have pulled out every time. never heard about the magnet thing though. only had mine a year, and about 40 hard pulls later, haven't noticed anything yet, but only time will tell. so far it' paid for itself with the people i have pulled out of the ditch from snow storms. thats another 6 pulls in the last two weeks.

 

Seriously, Hoxii, Warn is the best. Their headquarters is out by me and I've seen first hand how seriously they take their product. A family member has worked for them here for @30 years now. Good quailty and hype aside, I really do feel that they have the superior product and design. And I have seen that time and again played out off-road, where it counts.

 

Warn is best (8274-50) but there are other options as well. MileMarker has a 12,000lb hydraulic 2 speed winch for about 1200 or so?!?! they pull hard and don't pull amps off your battery! they have a lot of good deals on e-bay too!

-jason-

 

Most of the Top Truck guys are running the Warns because of SPEED. The military runs a lot of the Mile Marker hydraulic stuff. The biggest down fall of any electric winch under constant duty is over heating. Thats not a problem in Truck competition because if it takes long, your beat anyway so thats not an issue.

All said, I like Warn but for the money its tough not to look at MM and they have a very good name in the hydraulic winches. Some Warn dealers have gotten a little more competitive since MM has started hocking electric winches.

 

I was mainly looking in the 12000-15000 lb range and a warn in that range costs $1000-1300 (that's with A LOT of shopping around). EVERYWHERE I see MM 12000's for around $500-700. The MM is series wound, but I know they are slow as compared to the warns and the ramsey patriots. For what I do, it's alot easier for me to justify $600 than $1200, but if the warn out lasts the MM two times then it's a little easier for me to swallow.

This is mainly what I'm down to:

The Warn M15000 for pulling power, speed, and reputation (plus I found a place that sells them for under $1000)

The MM 12000 electric for pulling power and economy (about $600)

Any input?

Justin

 

the 15 is awful slow....correct me if im wrong, but im pretty sure its just a geared down m12000...with some reincforcement

the bad thing about hydro winches is if you lose a belt or your engine quits, your screwed....with the electric you can usually get yourself out before your battery dumps