Notices
Offroad & 4x4
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Warn vs. Ramsey

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 25, 2009 | 10:45 AM
  #1  
iggybob44's Avatar
iggybob44
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 3
From: Grants Pass, Oregon
Warn vs. Ramsey

This ought to bring out a few partisan folk.....
I have and still do own both Ramsey and Warn winches,with a little more experience with the Ramsey line. Ive got a dead REP 6000 sitting out back,that was bought back in 1986 for my first Ford,a Ranger,and im fairly certain that using the lighter duty permanent magnet motor to pull firewood led to its demise! Ive also got a QM5000( rec hitch mount),and an RE10000,worm gear winch and bumper that im fitting to the Chevy( i can hear the Boo's now,LOL) and a DC200,8000 lb worm gear winch that im unsure where it will reside,and ive got the third Ramsey 8000 lb PTO winch on my CJ,ive had the same PTO winch on two Internationals. Ive got a Warn M8000 on a rec. hitch mount,an 8274 on one of the F250's,another 8274 was on a 92 Dodge that i sold,and an old upright 5687( probably dead motor) in the back shed......
the worm gear Ramseys pull hard,especially near rated load,but are really slow retrieving cable at a no-load condition. The Warn 8274 really pulls cable fast under no-load,and last winter when i managed to stick the F250 in a soggy field pulled damn well under a pretty good load,and this was with a less than great alternator and battery.......
SO,tell me which winches you like and why........
 
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2009 | 10:51 AM
  #2  
iggybob44's Avatar
iggybob44
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 3
From: Grants Pass, Oregon
Oh yeah,almost forgot....How about the old Desert Dynamics,Pierce,Mega winch,Tensen TX2, Hickey Sidewinder, Superwinch,Koenig,or Braden.........I'll even ask about the Chinese imports,but not bother to name them,since i suspect they all come out of the same factory.....
 
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2009 | 11:55 PM
  #3  
wyoming4x4's Avatar
wyoming4x4
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 2
From: wyoming
worms are good!

I'm partial to the worm drives/electric. Tough but slow. I have two 8000 wide spool 150' cable and triple up if I have to. My ramsey's used to have ramsey's solenoid but later went to a warn style solenoid. Easier to find parts for this paticular set up if I loose a solenoid. Wyoming has limited resources and you get whatever is available when your desperate. I used to have a 9500 winch with that little gear on end and one bad situation in winter I broke it. I had to leave my truck for a week before I could get back to it in winter. We had to snowmobile back into area with parts to fix winch. It snowed while I was gone and couldn't see my tires on my truck 40"hawgs when I got back. It was a long day to fix and get out. Never again will this happen to me. What broke it was my truck slide and jerked winch hard and broke the gear. Worm drives can take a jerk and be ok. If you do break a worm drive its usually the small half moon key in gear box. .50 cent fix and I keep spares in truck. This problem has never happened again but I still think about that week.
 
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2009 | 11:23 AM
  #4  
iggybob44's Avatar
iggybob44
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 3
From: Grants Pass, Oregon
Interesting post,Wyoming! Both of my portable,plug into receiver hitch winches are planetary gear type,which i believe is the style you spoke of,and broke the gear on.
By virtue of the fact that they are not permanently mounted,i would likely use these winches only for limited duration,so im not concerned with there ability under extreme conditions.....As far as the permanently mounted Winches go, the Ramsey worm gear winches,whether they are 12V electric,PTO,or hydraulic,are known to be strong! im assuming that much of there basic design dates back over 50 years! Then again,the Spur gear/upright style Warn has been around since the 60's,i believe! Judging by what the Worm gear Ramsey's and the Warn 8274's sell for,in comparison to the planetary geared winches,im going to guess that its mostly a matter of economy,and reduced production costs.
 
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2009 | 07:27 PM
  #5  
mark a.'s Avatar
mark a.
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,924
Likes: 153
" SO,tell me which winches you like and why........ "

My Ramsey 9500, if it would just hold together.

 
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2009 | 08:15 PM
  #6  
*2fords*'s Avatar
*2fords*
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,672
Likes: 20
From: Nixa
I've got two 8274s and just love them. One is an ancient model, uses the pull cables inside the cab, but I converted to use solinoids like the more modern ones. I bought the solinoid box at an auction, and the remote on Ebay.
If you need to get the motors fixed, go to an electric motor shop, it will be alot cheaper than buying a new motor and won't take as long as sending your motor back to the factory. I burned the motor up on the above mentioned one before I converted it and it only cost 35.00 to fix it.
 
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2009 | 09:26 PM
  #7  
fishmanndotcom's Avatar
fishmanndotcom
Lead Driver
25 Year Member
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
**disclaimer** following statements are directed towards consumer based products, not industrial, and towards the electric flavor of winches only **disclaimer complete**

warn, hands down. i had a ramsey and it fell apart again and again. the 8274 i have now has held up impressively, even tuggin on my 9200lb powerstroke diesel in 4 wheel low in reverse (i was pulling a tree down).

-cutts-
 
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2009 | 09:50 PM
  #8  
AndeyHall's Avatar
AndeyHall
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,373
Likes: 0
From: Anderson, SC
Is this even a serious thread? Warn is hands down the best ever!
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Jul 26, 2009 | 10:49 PM
  #9  
iggybob44's Avatar
iggybob44
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 3
From: Grants Pass, Oregon
Originally Posted by AndeyHall
Is this even a serious thread? Warn is hands down the best ever!
Yeah,its a serious thread,so post some facts,figures and info,as Fishman did,otherwise be still!
 
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2009 | 10:55 PM
  #10  
iggybob44's Avatar
iggybob44
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 3
From: Grants Pass, Oregon
Thanks to 2fords,and fishman....Ive been very impressed by the 8274,and ive yet to hear any complaints from anyone on there performance and durability.....the only complaint ive ever heard regarding them is there price! new,they cost a pretty penny,as do the Ramsey RE 8000 and RE 12000 models,and the 8274 models have all been widely praised for there ultra fast no load retrieve speeds.
 
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2009 | 01:48 PM
  #11  
fishmanndotcom's Avatar
fishmanndotcom
Lead Driver
25 Year Member
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
Originally Posted by iggybob44
the only complaint ive ever heard regarding them is there price!
the only complaint i have (sometimes) is the size. i want to mount an 8274 in the back of my bronco for a dual winch setup but i dont have the room. i will have to buy a smaller, slower one.

as for the price.... i bought 2 8274's for $75 a piece. they are the old style and all they needed was a simple rebuild. look on craigslist and check places old farmers might have one laying around.

-cutts-
 
Reply
Old Jul 27, 2009 | 06:00 PM
  #12  
iggybob44's Avatar
iggybob44
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 3
From: Grants Pass, Oregon
A good point there,they are bulky,and because of there upright design,they cant be tucked into the same space that one of the newer planetary gear winches can...
 
Reply
Old Jul 28, 2009 | 09:42 PM
  #13  
iggybob44's Avatar
iggybob44
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 3
From: Grants Pass, Oregon
Well that was fun! i just got done mounting the Ramsey RE10000 and its bumper on the Chevy........Not only is the bumper itself significantly heavier than the Warn bumper that mounts an 8274 on the front of the F250,but the winch itself seems heavier......Not to mention the fact that the 8274 literally drops into place with the bolt holes lined up nearly perfect,with the winch supported by the bumper.....The Ramsey had to be lifted,jacked up from underneath,wiggled,jiggled,pried,and cussed at until i got the first couple bolts started..... still havent run power leads yet,but that will be simple......
 
Reply
Old Jul 28, 2009 | 10:52 PM
  #14  
wyoming4x4's Avatar
wyoming4x4
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 2
From: wyoming
Well on the winches it seems that warns are highspeed and pull high amps on average. But ramseys seem to pull slower with less amps, but if slower means more time on battery draw. So usually the biggest question for me when dealing with winches is what alternator and type of wiring. Is it up to the task at hand. If you have a truck with 100amp alternator and everything is electric in your truck you will pull down batteries and kill truck. So usually from what I've seen is most winches are pretty good but voltage supply is a question especially on electric everything in truck. I'm changing this thread so I'll stop now. But you usually get what you pay for on electrical componets such as a winch.
 
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2009 | 12:57 AM
  #15  
mark a.'s Avatar
mark a.
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,924
Likes: 153
I wouldn't say a Ramsey pulls slow. Mine moves pretty fast with or without a load on it. I just run the big Ford alt, not sure how many amps it has but it's no where near 100 & with a good pair batteries wired together, no isolator, I have no problems.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:20 AM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE