Did I make a good decision? Warn vs Smittybilt

[hiimmike]

Nothing runs like a Stihl.

I have an Ego, it's pretty cool.

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[entropy]

I'll add to the cover... especially living here in CO and the synthetic line. You want that covered and protected from the sun we get.

I live in socal and I dont cover mine. 2 years old still looks brand new. A cover sometimes can trap dirt and water and make things worst.

The sun wont really damage your line as it is already rolled on the drum and somewhat shaded (on a recessed type mount at least).

The #1 destroyer of ropes is. Dirt. Keep it clean!.

 

[wibornz]

I have had both. Both worked very well. The only problem that I had with the Smittybuilt is the wireless controller. It never worked well.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

Since 99% of winch owners never use them, you are probably good with either brand.

 

[Whaler27]

I purchased a winch from 4WP (even though I greatly dislike the company) for what I think was a good decision. I opted for the Smittybilt X20 Gen3 12k. I got all sorts of extra crap with it that I would probably purchase anyway which is partly why I think it's a deal I couldn't pass up. I was going back and forth between the Smittybilt and the Warn VR Evo 12k for the last two days. The Warn Evo 12k is about $110 more but I don't get all this other stuff. Did I make the right decision going with the Smittybilt? I've always thought of Smittybilt as a cheap Walmart brand of off road products but someone recently told me they make good reliable items.

View attachment 606089


Smittybilt X20 Gen3 12k winch and it came with other things I'd buy anyway, win-win! Should I have skipped the other things and went with the Warn VR Evo 12s (or 10s)? The warn would be about $110 more but I wouldn't get all the free crap and then have to spend another $100+ for those items.


I could go X20 10k but the gearing is 185:1 and that just makes the motor work harder potentially causing a breakdown. The difference between the 10k and 12k is only the gearing, 12k is 218:1, effectively increasing its pulling power. I went with the 12k because of the gearing, I am pretty sure I could get away with 10k on a JLUR, even if I had some armor, 35s, bumpers, lift, rack, and other goodies. Maybe the choice is just go with the Warn 10k for $110 more and not get the free crap and go buy it separate? I don't know.


I think I made the right decision going with this but I keep going back and forth. Both have a lifetime mechanical warranty (so if the motor does break, it's covered), Smitty is 5 year electrical and Warn is 7 year electrical. The new Gen3 has forged steel gears which should be stronger, improving the reliability.


I don't care what people will think of me, "oh you bought a crappy Smittybilt, shoulda bought a Warn loser" that doesn't bother me, nothing really offends me.


Thoughts? I think I got a good deal, feel free to talk me out of it or confirm my decision.

I can’t imagine anybody would label you because of your winch choice.

I‘m a Warm fan — been buying them more than 40 years — but Warn’s Evo line is their economy line, made in China, and in my experience no better or more durable than the other winches in its class.

I agree with the others who emphasize care and maintenance. If you find that you use it a lot, and it fails before you think it should, you”ll feel better about upgrading in the future. Most of us find that traction boards and kinetic ropes solve a lot of problems, so winches, though occasionally the only tool for the job, get less use than they used to.

 

[jimmym1981]

Damn, came to check replies and OP got banned? Curious to what I missed!?

 

[blnewt]

Damn, came to check replies and OP got banned? Curious to what I missed!?

Maybe the moderator sells Warns on the side???

 

[entropy]

Damn, came to check replies and OP got banned? Curious to what I missed!?

I have an Ego, it's pretty cool.

As you can see, on his last message, He admitted to being egocentric.

 

[jimmym1981]

F

As you can see, on his last message, He admitted to being egocentric.

Fair enough. I also went back to see some things I missed and the Asian jokes were a bit out of hand as well.

 

[ejcunn92]

F

Fair enough. I also went back to see some things I missed and the Asian jokes were a bit out of hand as well.

The Ego ecosystem is very good. I believe the OP was referring to the Ego line of tools. You shouldn’t judge.

 

[ejcunn92]

Smittybilt gen 3 X2O winch is pretty good, I installed one. Testing it out next week as I’m in Texas and Missouri.

 

[jimmym1981]

Smittybilt gen 3 X2O winch is pretty good, I installed one. Testing it out next week as I’m in Texas and Missouri.

Glad to see your purchase worked out for you OP.

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