Posted by Marty [162.158.107.208] on Monday, December 09, 2019 at 11:20:18 :
In Reply to: Winch alternatives? posted by John McNerney [162.158.62.236] on Sunday, December 08, 2019 at 15:33:15 :
Here’s an option for you...I have an equipment trailer that had a Warn 15000lb winch on it & it was stollen. I went to replace it & a new one was over $2000 up here! I was surprised because I’d bought it used for a few hundred but it had had its fair share of problems. The solenoids has given problems & basically although Warn makes an excellent product...they do break like everything else & im sure they’re made in China now.
So I went to the local 4wd supply joint & I saw they had other brands. I asked the guy point blank...is the warn winch worth the money? He says, you know, they’re good winches but I honestly don’t remember the last one I sold. So he says he mostly sells Smittybilt?? Smittybilt...never even heard of them. So I look & they have an 18000lb winch that’s remote control for $700!
I’m thinking...wow...remote control is way cool for my trailer...no more goofy wires! I can sit in the car, steer & still control the winch!
So the salesman says listen to this...for an extra $80, if anything goes wrong with that winch in 36 months, you come in with it, if we don’t have the part to fix it we give you a new one!! How could I say no to that? A trailer is brutal on winches for numerous reasons...one you’re firing salt & gravel at it from your truck. Two, you’re constantly winching with the battery low on voltage which kills electric motors...I mean I’ll win on that deal!
So 5 years later that winch is still working flawlessly, it weighs like 100 lbs & it’s hauled some giant loads onto my trailer. It’s a deck over so hauling a W500 with seized brakes takes a strong winch...it’s never ran out of pulling power on me & I know for sure they make them in 24V
I never penny pinch on tools but I have nothing bad to say about these winches. It’s as good or better than the 15000TI Warn it replaced.
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