This Guy Thinks Harbor Freight Winch Better Than Warn

[mdkautzman]

Can't go wrong with, when on sale $249 12,000 lb winch!

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[tampahoosier]

Classic case of what I have installed (afford) is the best, everything else is stupid.

Disclaimer: I didn’t watch the video and own a Warn winch.

Sounds like a classic case of if it’s more expensive and I bought it then it’s better.

 

[tampahoosier]

I have a warm zeon 8 (steel cable) on my TJ and never had a problem with it. It was my first winch and so I went balls to the wall with top dawg stuff. On my JT I went with the Apex Badlands with synthetic line. I did a lot of research, watched a lot of YouTube off-road channels on folks that actually use them all the time, and reviewed a few of the winch torture tests competitions. After all that I could not justify the cost of the Warn anymore. They had a great product, fact is many winch companies have now since copied them and use identical set ups and inside out they look identical. Most companies are even upping the anti a bit with arguable better parts. Higher HP motors with more efficient power draw and better planetary gears. I personally feel like Warn is riding the coat tails of their name. Shame of them for letting the competition catch up and think we should all pay.

Full disclaimer: I own both

 

[SH556JL]

Sounds like a classic case of if it’s more expensive and I bought it then it’s better.

While I could afford it. I mostly bought it because the bumper I wanted to run was specifically designed around the Warn Zeon series and I had no interest in searching for an alternative… The Zeon is a very tight fit, like a glove. I am more then sure a comparable winch could have been had for much less. If I was willing to spend time searching.

 

[TX_Ovrlnd]

If you can afford whatever brand and the name evokes a sense of assurance, then get it. Anything can be "Made in America" with the write stamp or sticker. These debates are as crazy as Coke vs Dr Pepper, clearly RC Cola is superior.

 

[tampahoosier]

While I could afford it. I mostly bought it because the bumper I wanted to run was specifically designed around the Warn Zeon series and I had no interest in searching for an alternative… The Zeon is a very tight fit, like a glove. I am more then sure a comparable winch could have been had for much less. If I was willing to spend time searching.

Bumpers specifically designed for the warn zeon just mean they have a big enough hole to fit it. The warn is one of the largest winches out there so a bumper company saying they made it for it means it fits any winch AND the warn. But good to see you acknowledge there are comparable. Like I said I have one and like it, no problems with it either.

 

[SH556JL]

Bumpers specifically designed for the warn zeon just mean they have a big enough hole to fit it. The warn is one of the largest winches out there so a bumper company saying they made it for it means it fits any winch AND the warn. But good to see you acknowledge there are comparable. Like I said I have one and like it, no problems with it either.

I never did the research. I just like the bumper and knew I wanted it. They said Warn Zeon winch in the directions, same for Rigid lights (for the little pods). So that’s what I ordered... To be clear, I was also pretty drunk and was in the feild for like 10 weeks straight at the time (I had money to burn). The few times I used a winch prior, it was never a Warn.

 

[tampahoosier]

I never did the research. I just like the bumper and knew I wanted it. They said Warn Zeon winch in the directions, same for Rigid lights (for the little pods). So that’s what I ordered... To be clear, I was also pretty drunk and was in the feild for like 10 weeks straight at the time (I had money to burn). The few times I used a winch prior, it was never a Warn.

Lol I can’t tell you how many times I got the liquid courage to purchase stuff for the jeep! Good for you either way man!

 

[Pinion]

Everyone has an opinion. WARN has been great to me, always high quality stuff.

Wranglerstar HF vs WARN

The winch isn't to blame for that failure.

 

[dragoneggs]

I just purchased a Warn Zeon 8S for my '22 JL on its way. For me my tune has changed in recent years. I am now trying to buy 'American', support US manufacturers, and supply chains as much as possible, and sometimes paying dearly for my efforts.

I work for a 'fully made in USA' manufacturer and deal with knock offs/copycats both foreign and domestic. I appreciate inventors and innovators that have created and refined their products and like to support them. It is very difficult to bring innovation to the market and so easy to copy not knowing/appreciating all of the testing and learning that went into the original.

I remember once talking to the founder of the company I work for and saying how it pissed me off that other companies were copying us and selling inferior product... he smiled and said, "copying is the sincerest form of flattery".

What I have found is that the original manufacture knows why it is designed and built a certain way. The copy cats don't. As an engineer, I appreciate that.

Think of it this way... the extra money you paid hopefully is going toward R&D. You know damn well when paying for a knockoff... not much if any is being reinvested to innovate or improve the product.

Just my three cents... adjusted for inflation.

 

[1BadManVan]

What about Fab rats?

Haven’t checked them yet

 

[BuyHold]

Not everyone is like this but there are far too many "muh freedom" folk out there who are simultaneously selling the country out to the lowest offshore bidder.

Walmart at one time tried to promote made in USA back in the late 80s/early 90s but cheap offshore products are pretty much all they stock these days. Same with Amazon. Why? Because people looking for the "best supersize" deal.

I bought a Warn knowing that it is made in the USofA. Did it cost a premium? Hell yeah. But is is a great product and I am putting my money where my mouth is.

 

[AZJeepGuy]

He says he owns an off-road recovery business, and swears by Badland winches because they never break, but the Warn winches he’s used ALWAYS break. Disclosure: I only use the Badland Apex winch.

Matt's Off Road Recovery uses Harbor Freight winches, tools etc...

 

[Retrograde]

I don't know what planet you guys are on, but where I'm from if it's not a Hickey Sidewinder, it's crap.

 

[jeepingib]

Still lust after that 8274. Best winch ever made in my opinion.

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