TLB4

If you're for sure getting a winch, i HIGHLY recommend you install a second battery in your truck. Electric winches are crap running off a single battery. They need a second battery to keep the amperage up. And always make sure you remember the weight rating for which loop you're on. A 10K pound winch is only good for 10k on first loop. every loop is worth like ~500 pounds, so by the time you get to loop 5, you're 10k winch is only worth ~7800 or so.

And synthetic rope is amazing for recovery with. But if you're going with a front mount like that, I would stay away from it as you'll get some bad UV damage. My setup is a 8k warn mounted to a receiver hitch so I can hook it up front or back for where ever I need it. Or just hook it up to a buddies truck if he needs it. The whole unit only weights ~60 pounds. And it's hidden away in the toolbox when I'm not using it. Just an idea if you're looking for some.

Jefk

i was going to get one of them winch covers for when im not using it

billfernandez

After extensive research I went with the Harbor Freight Badlands 12,000# winch with the optional wireless controller. I've never needed to winch anything for real but wanted a winch "just in case". This winch has generally good reviews on the internet, a great price, and lots of power. It's worked well in test scenarios where I practiced using it. I figure it will last for years and rarely get used.

The steel cable is a bitch to use, but it will not degrade over time, in the hot desert sun where I live, like a synthetic would.

If my lifestyle was such that I would routinely need a winch for real problems I might have gotten a Warn or SuperWinch under the theory that they might hold up better under hard use. The SuperWinch Talon line looked especially interesting.

Jefk

How significant is 193:1 vs 265:1 gear ratio? There both 12k winches

billfernandez

I don't know, but my guess is that each manufacturer balances motor power (and current draw) against the gear ratio needed to deliver the desired pulling force. I'd think that other specs such as current draw and how much pulling force you lose with each layer on the spool would be more important.

I chose a 12,000 pound winch in part so that I wouldn't have to unwrap all the cable to get down to the first layer to get enough pulling force to get my truck out of trouble.

Jefk

there both smittybilt lol, the only difference is the length and the ratio the. Shorter one has the 193 ratio

Jefk

what i had meant to ask was what is the difference between 193:1 and 265:1 (both 12k smittybilt winches) in the case of which might perform better. If there isnt a big difference, then ima get the 193:1 winch sense itll save me 100 dollars at the sacrifice of only 20ft of cable that i can make up