scottmphoto

I recently goyt a Q11,000 from Quadratec. I have it on my Power Wagon and moved my Milemarker to my XJ (as soon as I get my bumper built, that it). I use the Q11,000 a couple of times a week pulling logs onto my trailer to take them to the mill. The Q series seems built well so far. I'm sure that the 9,000 pound model is just as good.

Rock Toy

If you are wanting a winch that will last and be fast and strong go with a PTO or Hydraulic winch they can be very fast, very strong, and last a long time.

yarom

Buy the cheapest one you can get. When it stops working, buy a new one. In most cases, even after buying two of them, you will still be ahead compared to the unjustified and overpriced cost of Warn...

Some of these newcomers are getting better with quality. Never had an issue with the XRC10 I got to replace my Warn XD9000, at less than half the cost...

griff98xj

I have a mile marker 8000 lbs. with synthetic rope. It doesn't pull as fast as a warn but you can't stop it.

coloradoinsane

Well guys, I got a deal I couldn't pass up. Ordered a Superwinch Talon 12.5i SR for 899. Average price on that winch has been 1149.00. Will let you all know how she goes.

N20jeep

Terrible advise.

So when that cheap winch fails in the middle of a recovery and youre stuck and SOL, im sure the whole "ill just buy another" logic is going to feel too great.

People buy warn because of reputation and the fact that 20 years from now you will still be able to get parts for it. Not to mention warns customer serviceis top notch

Xj88

X2. You get what you pay for. A winch isn't something I'd cheap out on.

Rock Toy

X3
I wheel with maybe 6 guys that run Smittybuilt winches, one broke and was replaced and two of them will not go into free spool, while they were less to buy than my Warn winches, I have a 6000 lb Warn on my 1948 CJ2A that is over twenty years old and still works perfectly. So I would say that my ownership cost is really low.

Fred/N0AZZ

I have been looking for my first winch to purchase (other than the ones I used on my tow trucks in CO, yrs. ago.

Been researching them for a month now getting opinions from dealers that sold all the main brands and there house brands. Price was not the main factor but did count bang for the buck was. The people I spoke with were not the general run of the mill sales people all they know is what is in the book I spoke with the tech dept. and in 3 places the owners of the company.

In all I spoke with 9 different companies 7 being very helpful. It came to light early on that one brand had the highest profit margin and you were paying for a name also and their advertising monies. In fact all 3 of the owners of the companies said the same thing after house brands it was Warn. Cost profit margin but all have to make a profit we know that.

I poised the same question Superwinch Talon Series vs. Warn price/features/performance/warranty issues. Then compared the warranty of the 2 Warn Limited Lifetime (parts) 1 yr. Electrical. Superwinch Limited Lifetime (parts) 3 yrs. Electrical.

I'm ordering my Superwinch today when all was said and done IMHO for what I needed it was the best for me.

Fred/N0AZZ

Lowrange2

I've owned 3 brand new Smittybilt winches.

I used one until it was completely shot. The motor is gone. (Got about 4 years out of that one)

The 2nd one was on the front of my Jeep. It still works but it's a lot weaker than it used to be.

The 3rd one is the new model with the bigger motor that I have on the front of my DD Jeep. It still works fine but it's only made about 10 pulls since I bought it new.

I bought a used M8000 last winter. Replaced the old busted winch and I'll never buy another cheap winch. The M8000 is FAR better in many ways.

Pay the extra and get a Warn.

Hell, be patient and find a lightly used one. I see em all the time for 300 bucks in good condition.

jedijeb

Interesting reading here. I have often heard of Warn and understand they are good winches. The brand I haven't seen mentioned here is the one I used to see on all the Department of Fish and Wildlife trucks around home(Dad's farm is surrounded by a Wildlife Management Area) which was Ramsey. I used to hear about Ramsey back when I was a kid thirty years ago, seems they are still around but are they any good?

Rock Toy

Ramsey winches were among the best, right up there with Warn, but when Warn started building faster winches with lifetime warranties Ramsey started losing market share.
I do know a couple of guys running Ramsey winches, one is a 8000 lb winch and one is a 9500 lb winch both seem to do what they were maid for, but I have not used one myself.

XJNVA

FWIW, I have an older Ramsey 8000lb on my jeep. It does what it's supposed to, and works well. Where my dad has had a Warn on the front of his 89 Suburban for almost 20 years, and aside from a small electrical wire problem that was easily fixed, it has had absolutely no problems, and still pulls hard to this day.

I can't vouch for modern Ramsey products, as I have no experience with em. But Warn has excellent quality, and will serve you well for a long time.

ihscoutlover

Ill give some perspective on Ramsey winches here. I own a bunch of International Scouts. They are about 2-3k more weight than my XJ is. I bought a used Ramsey off a local Jeep board that was used about 10 times. Paid $300 for it. I have used it to extract Jeeps, Scouts and other 4x4s. Wife has a Warn M8000 on her Scout. Its been on there since we got it, and other than having 2 solenoids go out at the same time, its worked great. I don't see why you need to hurry when using this(need a fast loaded or unloaded speed). Some of that can get you hurt if you don't plan right. I would spend the money for a quality winch. Warn is first, then Ramsey after that. I have had great luck with tech support with Ramsey and Warn for issues, and the Ramsey guy told me that the 8k PTO winch on my Scout II is likely more of a 10k unit due to the power the PTO's have. I bought another used and damaged Ramsey off Greedbay for $100, and all it needs is the motor replaced due to a cracked housing. So for another $100 I can have another Ramsey that is just 500lbs more pull than the first one I got. I would go Warn first, then Ramsey, those are how I roll.

Jeff