Sponsored

Thoughts about winches

steelerpsugirl

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2018
Threads
12
Messages
554
Reaction score
1,216
Location
Maryland
Vehicle(s)
2018 Wrangler Unlimited JL Sport S
Talk to me about winches- looking at a simple Smittybilt Gen 2 XRC 9500 lbs. Didn’t have one on my previous Jeep and trying to decide if it’s a good investment. I don’t do any crazy wheeling or anything, mostly easy trails but hoping to get to some more moderate ones, still simple. I like the idea of having it as a just in case but curious about other experiences and things to know. Found one for a good price so... anyway thanks in advance! Always get good information on here!

27735BFF-32C5-4699-8052-6D3A712EE68A.jpeg
Sponsored

 

N8213

Well-Known Member
First Name
Nathan
Joined
Aug 2, 2019
Threads
9
Messages
321
Reaction score
406
Location
Summerville, SC
Vehicle(s)
21 JLUR 4XE, 20 C8, 20 Indian, 55 Studebaker truck
If you're wheeling with other vehicles the other option would be a simple tow recovery strap. I've struggled with the same thing - winch sounds great but I"m not sure it would used often enough to justify the price.
 
OP
OP
steelerpsugirl

steelerpsugirl

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2018
Threads
12
Messages
554
Reaction score
1,216
Location
Maryland
Vehicle(s)
2018 Wrangler Unlimited JL Sport S
If you're wheeling with other vehicles the other option would be a simple tow recovery strap. I've struggled with the same thing - winch sounds great but I"m not sure it would used often enough to justify the price.
Yeah that's where I am right now! I have a tow strap in my Jeep at all times and never wheel alone... always that "what if" lol
 

UNC Rubicon

Well-Known Member
First Name
Bret
Joined
Mar 27, 2018
Threads
31
Messages
1,634
Reaction score
2,990
Location
Kernersville, NC
Vehicle(s)
2019 Billet Silver JLUR
Vehicle Showcase
1
If you're wheeling with other vehicles the other option would be a simple tow recovery strap. I've struggled with the same thing - winch sounds great but I"m not sure it would used often enough to justify the price.
Using it once when you have no other alternative makes it worth the price. It’s insurance and peace of mind for me.
 

Sponsored

UNC Rubicon

Well-Known Member
First Name
Bret
Joined
Mar 27, 2018
Threads
31
Messages
1,634
Reaction score
2,990
Location
Kernersville, NC
Vehicle(s)
2019 Billet Silver JLUR
Vehicle Showcase
1
Talk to me about winches- looking at a simple Smittybilt Gen 2 XRC 9500 lbs. Didn’t have one on my previous Jeep and trying to decide if it’s a good investment. I don’t do any crazy wheeling or anything, mostly easy trails but hoping to get to some more moderate ones, still simple. I like the idea of having it as a just in case but curious about other experiences and things to know. Found one for a good price so... anyway thanks in advance! Always get good information on here!

27735BFF-32C5-4699-8052-6D3A712EE68A.jpeg
I’ve got a Smittybilt X2O with synthetic line. Has a wireless remote and has a higher waterproof rating. If you aren’t using the winch often, wireless might not be overly important. I would recommend going with a synthetic line for safety and weight.

Edit to add: The XRC is not a bad choice by any means. Just something else for you to think about.
 
OP
OP
steelerpsugirl

steelerpsugirl

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2018
Threads
12
Messages
554
Reaction score
1,216
Location
Maryland
Vehicle(s)
2018 Wrangler Unlimited JL Sport S
I’ve got a Smittybilt X2O with synthetic line. Has a wireless remote and has a higher waterproof rating. If you aren’t using the winch often, wireless might not be overly important. I would recommend going with a synthetic line for safety and weight.
Thanks! I doubt I will use it too often, definitely a peace of mind thing. Know anything about the Rough Country ones? Looking to stay budget friendly but also not cheap out!
 

UNC Rubicon

Well-Known Member
First Name
Bret
Joined
Mar 27, 2018
Threads
31
Messages
1,634
Reaction score
2,990
Location
Kernersville, NC
Vehicle(s)
2019 Billet Silver JLUR
Vehicle Showcase
1
Thanks! I doubt I will use it too often, definitely a peace of mind thing. Know anything about the Rough Country ones? Looking to stay budget friendly but also not cheap out!
Im partial to Smittybilt for budget friendly winches. I don’t know anything about RC winches, so I cannot comment on their reliability.
 

Redneck_Jedi

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2017
Threads
26
Messages
928
Reaction score
1,132
Location
Currently Roaming
Vehicle(s)
2019 Jeep Wrangler Sport S 2 Dr.
Vehicle Showcase
1
Definitely go with a Synthetic line winch. Much Lighter and Safer, for just a few dollars more.
 

Sponsored

DOOKEY

Well-Known Member
First Name
Andy
Joined
Mar 26, 2018
Threads
54
Messages
2,288
Reaction score
5,180
Location
Thornton, CO
Website
www.tractionoffroad.com
Vehicle(s)
2021 GCM 392 - 2019 SG JLUR
Occupation
Wheel Pimp.
Talk to me about winches-
Want to get stuck? Post online about how you're contemplating a winch purchase. Then go wheel without it.

BAM!

You're stuck thinking about that thread online.

Butt!! BUTT!!!! Once you buy one you'll only use it for everyone else but yourself. :CWL:
 

davewald

Well-Known Member
First Name
Dave
Joined
Jan 5, 2021
Threads
25
Messages
405
Reaction score
870
Location
Bellingham, Washington
Website
www.davewaldrop.com
Vehicle(s)
2021 Wrangler Rubicon
Occupation
Sort of, kinda retired....mostly
I went through the same through process when I was deciding on a winch. I'll be off roading, but nothing extreme, but may not always be with someone else since we have some great ORV parks in the state. I decided to spend a bit more ($150-ish) to get a Warn winch, thinking that if I ever need a winch I will probably really need it and want to ensure that it's going to work; i.e. it's not something to go too cheaply on. I found that the people that I bought my bumper from have pretty decent prices on Warn winches, even better than Amazon or Quadratec on some: https://www.rockhard4x4.com/WARN_Jeep_Winches_s/438.htm . I bought an Evo 10-S for my JL, which is probably a bit of overkill considering the weight of the Jeep, but again, if I ever need it...
 

aldo98229

Well-Known Member
First Name
Aldo
Joined
Nov 16, 2019
Threads
86
Messages
11,019
Reaction score
27,683
Location
Bellingham, WA
Vehicle(s)
2023 Jeep Gladiator, 2018 Fiat 124 Spider
Occupation
Market Research
Vehicle Showcase
3
Winch is a basic necessity for anyone hitting the trails IMO.

Per the need to get a Warn: decades ago Warn was the only viable alternative. But things have changed: today Quadratec, Mile Marker, Smittybilt, et. al., offer solid quality and more features for less money.

Warn’s top-selling winches are now made in China, too. So “Made in USA” is less of a differentiator these days...unless you are willing to spend $1,500+

I am shopping for a winch currently. After owning a string of Warn winches over the years, Warn is not on my shopping list this time; I find their prices ridiculous. There are now too many excellent alternatives out there.
 
Last edited:

DHW

Well-Known Member
First Name
David
Joined
May 30, 2019
Threads
69
Messages
994
Reaction score
2,218
Location
Atlanta
Vehicle(s)
2018 Rubicon
Occupation
Attorney
Also, keep an eye out for used ones. I got a Smitty X20 10K synthetic for $300 on FB marketplace from a guy who mounted it on his Jeep and never used it once.

As far as the Smitty, I've only used it a few times, but it has worked great. I can't fathom paying what Warn is asking for their Zeon series. If the Smitty dies, I'd definitely take a look at Quadratec's. Theirs have a lot of cool features. And it's about the only thing decently priced on Quadratec.
 
Last edited:

News2me

Member
First Name
Bill
Joined
Feb 1, 2021
Threads
0
Messages
24
Reaction score
25
Location
Appleton, Wisconsin
Vehicle(s)
2019 JLU Rubicon, 2016 JKU Saraha Backcountry
Living in Wisconsin where we can get A LOT of snow, I look at it as a necessity. I'm not a rock crawler but I have pulled myself out of snow drifts many times while traveling the forest roads in the northern part of the state. The cost of a tow truck would be many more times the cost of a winch for me.
Sponsored

 
 



Top