I have never been much for winches,that is until my friend Brian [300ex] and I hit the Gladwin trails about a month ago.This trail was 42 miles long.We had allready went thru 4-5 merky and swampy ares.We were 21.2 miles into the trailhead when we come upon a HUGE swamp.It was against our better judgement to try and cross it,so we turned around and headed back.You see,I was the only 4x4 in the area.If I did'nt make it,the 300ex would have NO chance of pulling me out.I was not worried about pulling him out,it was my quad that worried me if it did get it stuck.I allways ride with other 4x4 quads.We all carry tow straps with us in case someone needs to be pulled out.No other 4x4s with me on this excursion.

It is this experience that has me now thinking I could be wrong about my thoughts on Winches.I used to think Winches had little value to me because I allways ride with 4x4 quads that carry tow straps.If I were equipped with a Winch that wk end,we could of kept going.

So here's the question fellows?What type of Winch is best for me?I want one that is VERY waterproof,I ride alot of mud and water.How many ft of cable do I need?I will still carry my 20ft tow rope to.How much and where to order it from?Thanks,===BILL

 

Waran 2000. If you have the money buy a Rule winch. Check out the Highlifter page and look at the Rule winches.

 

Would those go good on a Sportsman? I was thinking that if i get out alone or with my girlfriend and we get stuck. Her and I or just me, if i was alone would be walking home. I ride with mostly two wheel drive buggies, but i figure 3 or four guys would be able to get me out.

 

Bill,
There is a specific formula for determining proper winch size... Ready?...
Quad weight+Rider weight + Cooler Weight=====

Purchase the largest capacity winch that your checkbook and your Visa card can stand..!!!!
I don't have much of a use for winches either.. but when they ARE needed... You WANT IT TO WORK!!.
As for Rule winches... now, to date, I know 3 people that use Rule winches.. Two have NO complaints AT ALL.. LOVE to pull trucks, trees etc... One has been nothing but trouble... The motor shorted out first time it was used, then second time, it broke something in the gearbox..
Its fixed now... and has been used several times since with no problems.. but for the $$$ spent, you wouldn't expect something like that to happen.
To put in on the new 2000 Sportsmans, you have to buy the polaris brushguard and there are some mods that also have to be made..
You REALLY won't be satisfied with anything below 2500 lbs.. but go with the largest capacity that you can afford..
I think only the RULE is actually WATERPROOF... and if you go with a Superwinch.. go ahead and buy the Warn switch.. the Superwinch rocker switch is JUNK!!...
Just my two cents... Some say I dont have any sense...

 

Bill
I installed a Warn 2000 lb winch on my 98 Magnum 4x4 last year. I bought it primarily for the snowplow. It does great raising and lowering it. The snowplow thing was also a good way to convince my wife that I needed it. Since installing it, I have had no trouble with it. I too ride in heavy mud and water and it is very waterproof. I have used it several times to pull my buddies (non polaris) atv's out of mud, but never my own. I haven't found a mudhole deep enough yet to get a Polaris stuck. LOL. Anyhow, the 2000 lb has been adequate to this point. I would definitely price the Warn 2500 and if it is not much more I would go for that one, but would not hesitate to get the 2000 lb. I would stick with Warn as the Superwinch has had rocker switch problems. I definitely think 50 ft of cable is a minimum. The installation is not that hard to do, but time consuming as there is a lot of wire to run up through the steering column. I ordered mine from Shadetree. (1-888-shadetree). Give them a call. They will take care of you. Remember, the one time that winch prevents you from walking 20 miles, it will be worth its weight in gold.

Remember, register to vote, I have too much money in these damn atv's to take up a new hobby.

 

I have the warn 2000 pound winch on my 400 exlorer. I have had it completyl under water for at least 5 to 10 minutes before I have had no problems with the winch. My opinion is the 2500 pound wich is useless with up grades to your electrical system the 4 wheeler runs out of power way before the winch does on mine. I also have 3 buddies that have 2000 pound warns and none of them have given any problems. I am not sure about the rule but have herd bad things about the superwinch. Good luck

 

Bill, buy the Warn it's all you will ever need.I've even used mine while submerged without any problems. I had a 2000 on my Sportsman also and it never failed me in 4500 miles of muddin! I would suggest mounting the switch on the top of the left front fender. That way the switch is both easy to access and not in the way other accessories. Route the wires through the radiator's grill so there protected and out of the way.

 

Bill-I have owned Warn winches since 1977. I have never had a single malfunction or failure. I had an 8274 and my A2000 completely submerged and they worked fine. I have still have the 8274 that was bought in '77! I have an X8000i on a 97 Z71 and an M12,000 on a '98 Hummer. If you can , go ahead and get the A2500, as it has the handheld remote control, like the big winches do. You can leave it in the handlebar mounted cradle and activate it or remove it and stand to the side. It comes with a roller fairlead, and the A2000 does not.
The 2500 comes with 50 feet of 3/16" line. I would get another 50-100 feet from NorthernTool.com for less than $30 (If I recall right). Get a ****** block from them or PrincessAuto.com for $20 and double the pulling ability. You can get a auto brake for the winch for around $65 that will hold line tension when you let off the power. Without it, you only have 150 pounds of holding ability.
I don't think anyone can do better than Warn when it comes to quality and factory support for standing behind a product.
Whatever you get: If the line stalls, get off the power. If the winch is too hot to touch, let it cool (all of these winches are made for intermittent pulls and overheating the motor can permanently damage it). Don't use it like a tow strap to be pulled or to pull someone else as you can damage the gears, the same goes for using it as a tiedown when travelling.
Warn, Rule, SuperWinch and Ramsey all make good products or they would not stay in business.
PS-Check Ebay for some good buys-they had an A2500 for $200 new in the box and a scratched up A2000 for $70 which was not new and needed a switch.

 

Well i would say get the warn 2000 and get it from a polaris dealer. This way you get the mounting kit all the wiring and a roller fairlead It is all made to fit a polaris and it is an excellent winch. I personally don,t use the stock wireing i put on heaver wires 6awg. According to Warn this actually yurns a 2000 lb into a 2500 lb winch just without the remote. And yes get a recovery kit they come in handy warn makes a real nice setup .

 

Thanks for all the help fellows,im really green when it comes to winches.Im leaning in the direction of the Warn 2500 winch.TXDoc likes the remote hand held switch,so do I .Money plays no role in my decision,I want one that will not overheat and give me problems down the rode.I also have a CC plow.Do the winches operate the plow really slow?If so,I think I'll just use the plow manually.Thanks again to all,===BILL