What winch do you have?

[3TV]

Chinese made vs American made Warn winches is always a part of the winch discussion. I personally think that the Chinese built Warn winches are built to a higher standard of quality than the Chinese built Harbor Freight winches are.

I have a Warn Zeon 10s on my 2-door Jeep and a Warn Evo 12s on my 392. Why did I put the cheap Chinese made Warn on the 392? Because it was free. The 392 was actually the third vehicle it had been on. The first was a Gladiator Mojave, second was a JLUR, and third is the 392. The winch has been used a few times on each vehicle and has been trouble free all along. It has only been used three times on the 392 though. Something about having 40" tires decreases the number of times you will need to use a winch. The first time was to winch myself out of a snowy ditch on the Elbow Canyon trail near Mesquite, NV, back when I had those measly little 37s (see picture). The second time was to winch a Toyota Tundra out of a bad situation on the Rubicon trail. The third time was to winch a friends Gladiator up a ledge. I used my Chinese built Warn winch after his Chinese built Harbor Freight winch failed.

Three vehicles in, and my Chinese made Warn has yet to let me down.

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[Flip]

@NINTH

If I were to purchase another winch I would go with the Warn zeon 10 or evo 10. The little I use it, I believe the evo would be fine for me.

 

[scorpionsix]

this would sell too...

Yes, the dudes who wear their hats backwards then use their hand to block the sun from their eyes and/or dudes who wear sunglasses indoors would be all over this.

 

[swampflyer]

Is there a winch that is 100 percent made in the US?

 

[Flip]

Is there a winch that is 100 percent made in the US?

I was researching that yesterday. I couldn't find one. 🫤

 

[Medsker]

If mine didn't come with the winch stock I would go with a Torrix. The guy that designed them was Ranch that co-founded Teraflex. I've never used one but I've put my hand on them and they seem really well built. The top of the line one tells you lots of information while you are polling (amps, volts, over-temp warning, etc.) Link I like their front bumpers that hold four gallons of water too. I'm getting their Vortex Air Up system installed on the 15th and their Atlas Spare Tire Support. And no I'm not getting paid for mentioning them. I just like their products.

 

[Flip]

If mine didn't come with the winch stock I would go with a Torrix. The guy that designed them was Ranch that co-founded Teraflex. I've never used one but I've put my hand on them and they seem really well built. The top of the line one tells you lots of information while you are polling (amps, volts, over-temp warning, etc.) Link I like their front bumpers that hold four gallons of water too. I'm getting their Vortex Air Up system installed on the 15th and their Atlas Spare Tire Support. And no I'm not getting paid for mentioning them. I just like their products.

Very interesting. I never heard of them. Thanks for posting it.

 

[3TV]

If mine didn't come with the winch stock I would go with a Torrix. The guy that designed them was Ranch that co-founded Teraflex. I've never used one but I've put my hand on them and they seem really well built. The top of the line one tells you lots of information while you are polling (amps, volts, over-temp warning, etc.) Link I like their front bumpers that hold four gallons of water too. I'm getting their Vortex Air Up system installed on the 15th and their Atlas Spare Tire Support. And no I'm not getting paid for mentioning them. I just like their products.

I know Ranch, but I've never heard of Torrix winches. I'll check into them.

 

[2nd 392]

this would sell too...

Quite possible , Rubi’s have dummy heat extractors, Mojave’s dummy hood scoops, dummy beadlock wheels abound, and you could add the factory “capable” with beauty rings, and these dummies are routinely added to models without them. Don’t forget dummy Rubicon badging on Sports. Nutin’ new. …
I wonder if the new Recon has dummy V8 sound and vibration systems like the Charger EV’s ?

 

[gato]

There are many good winches. The only slightly annoying thing is the myth that Warn somehow is the only reliable choice and everything else is junk.

 

[zouch]

how often had it been respooled?

things like this don't take well to not moving. regular respooling every month or so is recommended maintenance for multiple reasons.

Anyone have experience with the mile marker winches? I’ve been eyeballing one for my Willy’s. I had a smitty bilt on my old trailboss and had good luck with it but I’ve heard of mile marker for years. I won’t buy another warn because I’m not sold on the premium price vs performance. Our last warn winch lasted 4 years and the internal drum rusted together. Now I have no clue how that would’ve happened as the winch was used maybe 4 times to winch out our truck at our deerlease. It was not on a hard core wheeler that stayed covered in mud and water.

 

[wibornz]

Sounds like you did this. What winches were on the jeeps?

Almost exclusively Warn winches and a few SCAR winches.

Just note, the Toyota is on 40s and the Gladiator is on 37s. It was a big winch fest that day.

I used my winch more in one day than I did in the previous 5 years. We have run trails in Alaska that you winch four or five times in a matter of a few hours. Like everyone winches. I would not even consider off roading in Alaska without a winch or at least where we went. There were places that The first vehicle winched across and then multiple tow straps were hooked together and hooked up to the lead vehicle could help you get through.

I just got pulled through soupy mud for about 100 feet.

I am on 37s, but unfortunately, the ruts weee created by Jeeps on 42s and 43s. So there I am sitting on the diffs.

It worth it for this view alone.

 

[wibornz]

There are many good winches. The only slightly annoying thing is the myth that Warn somehow is the only reliable choice and everything else is junk.

I don't think Warn is the only choice, I just think it is probably the best overall choice. There are plenty of other winch companies that make decent winches. It is not like building a winch is rocket science. I would just say that Warn is near the top of the ones that are lost likely not to fail. They all can fail.

It is easy to find Warn winches that get used often that are 30 years old. There are not a lot of winch brands that can say that.

 

[roaniecowpony]

Thanks for sharing this Ted. I bought a Warn because I didn't know any better, shortly after getting my 18 JLUR to hunt out of.

 

[Twisted10]

shes about 5'7"

oh winch, not wench.

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