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Has anyone had a good experience with a budget winch? Ive heard mixed reviews about Harbor Freight's Badland winches, but does anyone know anything about these others?
Has anyone had a good experience with a budget winch? Ive heard mixed reviews about Harbor Freight's Badland winches, but does anyone know anything about these others?
couple guys in my group run the badlands. Its actually a pretty decent winch.
I have used a harbor freight winch a few times. not a lot for off roading, but I have used one to pull downed trees and even lower a wind turbine. (i can explain if you wish .) but the only issue I had was letting the cable go out too far while the clutch was disengaged and whatever I was pulling took off freely and ripped the cable right off the spool. It was a good winch in my book.
the badlands winch's (Now) really aren't that bad. REGARDLESS though you should pay for Harbor Freights extended warranty. Bring the winch back before the 2-yr period and have it warrantied out. They give you a new winch and you pay again for the extended warranty and your set again. Done this for many years now. Started with a 8k winch (it developed some slop issues between the motor and spool) warrantied it out and "at the time" they upgraded me to a 9k because they discontinued the 8k. before the 2 yr mark again I had to warranty the winch-this time it just had intermittent clicking from the control box. Though this time I returned for cash and then used the cash and coupon to get my 12k winch at the cost of the 9k.
They really are a nice bang for your buck, especially for someone's first winch (not implying this would be your first) and to give you an idea on if you really should invest $$ into a really nice winch.
One of my YJ's came with a Badlands on it. It's actually an older one and according to the PO he had used it quite a lot. I've only used it a couple times but it damn sure performed when needed. Even used it to pull a van out of a heck of a hole. I'd like to swap the old cable out but IDK... for the money and what the average joe needs / uses a winch for I'd guess it's good enough.
Any thoughts on the Traveller brand that TSC sells. I have one It's a 9000 or 9500 lb that I got in trade a while back and was thinking of using it when I build my new bumper.
02-27-2018, 10:53 PM
Budget Winch options
.) but the only issue I had was letting the cable go out too far while the clutch was disengaged and whatever I was pulling took off freely and ripped the cable right off the spool. It was a good winch in my book.
