Which winch?

[bigred4x4]

been thinking about putting a winch on the ex. I was thinking either the smittybilt 9.5 xrc or the badlands 9000lbs winch from harbor freight both are $299.


What do yall think is the better winch? :thumbdwn:

 

[boominXplorer]

I have one of the first 12k badlands winches and I love it. I have it on a removable mount and have used it on my truck and car trailer 50 different times over the past 3 years without it missing a beat. I have drug numerous scrap trucks without axles on the trailer and it does it with ease.

 

[bigred4x4]

thanks also to take into consideration the smittybilt is rated slighty higher, 9k vs 9.5k,and has about 30' more cable myself im actually starting to lean toward smittybilt although the badlands has a wireless remote for only like 30-40 $.

 

[2TimingTom]

The badlands winch is hit or miss. Overland Journal did a winch test and their initial winch didn't work and their replacement winch didn't work either.

Look into Superwinch.

 

[OffTrac]

I did more reading on winches than I'd like to admit recently. It seemed to me the recurring theme among popular winches was:

1. Warn
2. Superwinch and Ramsey
3. Smittybilt
4. All the rest

Of course people will disagree with me. This is a winch thread after all, but that's how I analyzed people's perceptions across many reviews and forums.

 

[96whitesport]

I use (abuse) a Mile Marker 8k, been on 4 different trucks, seems I wear out the truck before the winch! Had it apart once for brushes and a general clean up, still going strong.

 

[colintrax]

Wait for the badlands 12k to go on sale. Same price as the 9k.
I've had good luck with mine, although its only been used 3 times.

 

[Turdle]

Some links inside this thread to look at

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=311340

 

[nanyiru]

Hi guys i got a 10ktabor Warn on my 96 xlt ex and works grat, its a little heavy but i can pull full sized trucks with no problem, greetings from Mexico

 

[BKennedy]

I took the advice of a friend who is a shop foreman at 4WP. If you want a winch that can sit for years and not be used, but work every time you need it, get a Warn. They also have outstanding costumer service. I know its not on your list, but they work, period. Between the two you listed, its a toss-up. You can get a Bad Lands on sale, and use a 25% off coupon, and they are cheap.

 

[ProjectAviator]

I had a 1st gen Smitybilt 8K it was a relabeled Superwinch worked great never had a problem. even with a daily work out of 5 pulls. never let me down.

Tim

 

[Sirdrofmaster]

I bought the Super winch Tiger-shark 9500 and i like it a lot...tried it out yesterday on a hill just to test it...