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07-31-2014, 08:46 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,242
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Winches.......not wenches
I know this subject has been covered here but I need a little advice and input on a new addition to the van. I have read several older winch threads and a ton of them on other forums. I recently got a Reunel bumper with a winch mount. I want to add a winch but don't need a $1600 top-o-the-line Warn. I have a budget of around $600 for this. I had pretty much decided to get a Smittybilt 15k for about $650 but then I came across this:
http://www.warn.com/truck/winches/VR12000_winch.shtml
It's an entry level Warn but it is a Warn. These can be had for about $650. It's also a little bit lighter duty (12k) than I wanted but again, it's a Warn. I will rarely use it anyway. My van is about 9500# fully loaded, but I guess it will be about 10k after I add the Reunel bumpers. I'm not sure how they construct a bumper out of lead but they do.
I have read many threads on the pros/cons of Chinese built winches, which seems to be pretty much everything except Warn. Really the only pro I can find on any of them is price. I like the idea of buying the Warn name and reputation and of course parts/support if I ever need it.
Is this a big enough winch?
Other thoughts?
Thanks
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07-31-2014, 11:03 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 468
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Re: Winches.......not wenches
My van has the warn 12000 on it with Reunel bumper. It has already saved my rear once. The 12000 is plenty and you can always uses a snatch block to increase it. Then only down side is you can not go with synthetic line. The drum heats up too much on a reverse pull. I talked with warn and they are working on a line with the first few feet covered for protection.
TexGX
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TexGX
2003 7.3PSD RB50 Quigley (The Yeti)
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=13220
2006 Casita (Makes it a three bedroom 1 and 1/2 bath)
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07-31-2014, 11:46 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: California
Posts: 1,012
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Re: Winches.......not wenches
I went with a Warn Xeon 12. Was lucky enough to buy one for $662 after finding a "Used like new" on Amazon when they were offering a $200 rebate. Whatever model you choose make sure you install the appropriate gauge wire since they pull 435 amps at full load. No sense having a 12000lb winch that only has enough juice to pull 10000lbs.
My install
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=13646&hilit=+warn
__________________
2006 E350 6.0PSD 5R110, SMB 4X4, RB-50, ARB lockers front/rear, Aluminess galore, AMP steps.
Callsign KK6GIY
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07-31-2014, 04:19 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,242
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Re: Winches.......not wenches
Thanks, good info there about the synthetic line. I guess that's just on the VR series winches?
Nice score and install Tapatio. That winch is about $1200 currently.
It sounds like most winches come with 6' of 2 guage cable. I will probably just run that to the battery for now, but I do love the idea of Powerpole connectors and a trick jumper cable set up.
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07-31-2014, 04:38 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,179
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Re: Winches.......not wenches
Quote:
Originally Posted by 86Scotty
...It sounds like most winches come with 6' of 2 guage cable. I will probably just run that to the battery for now, but I do love the idea of Powerpole connectors and a trick jumper cable set up.
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If you don't want to invest in your own Powerpole crimpers, or don't know of anyone local to build your cables for you, Powerwerx makes custom cables and does a really nice job.
http://www.powerwerx.com/adapter-cables ... -cable.asp
Herb
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SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.
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07-31-2014, 06:26 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,242
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Re: Winches.......not wenches
Thanks Herb
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07-31-2014, 06:55 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Turlock Ca
Posts: 10,409
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Re: Winches.......not wenches
I've had Master Pull synthetic on my Warn for years and love it. It was expensive though. I'm not using a Hawse and just am careful while using it. Maybe one of these days I'll upgrade to a different fairlead. Installation is fairly straight forward.
http://www.masterpull.com/how-to-instal ... inch-line/
__________________
2006 Ford 6.0PSD EB-50/E-PH SMB 4X4 Rock Crawler Trailer
Sportsmobile 4X4 Adventures.......... On and off road adventures
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07-31-2014, 08:03 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,179
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Re: Winches.......not wenches
Before I ordered my winch, I talked to both Thor from Viking Oiffroad, and Bill Burke. Both recommended a roller fairlead when using synthetic line, unless there was a big concern over approach/ departure angle.
Herb
__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.
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07-31-2014, 08:09 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Turlock Ca
Posts: 10,409
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Re: Winches.......not wenches
Quote:
Originally Posted by BroncoHauler
Before I ordered my winch, I talked to both Thor from Viking Oiffroad, and Bill Burke. Both recommended a roller fairlead when using synthetic line, unless there was a big concern over approach/ departure angle.
Herb
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I agree Herb. You need to be careful. They actually make roller fairleads designed for synthetic rope. I just watch the corners getting pinched. With all the other things that are more important, replacement is low on the list.
__________________
2006 Ford 6.0PSD EB-50/E-PH SMB 4X4 Rock Crawler Trailer
Sportsmobile 4X4 Adventures.......... On and off road adventures
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08-01-2014, 07:22 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,242
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Re: Winches.......not wenches
Very cool Dave. I'm still hoping to gather some more feedback on this winch. I really hate to lay out this much money on something I will hardly ever use but I know when you need one it is priceless. Is anyone here running a Warn VR series?
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