I'd go with a 2,500 or 3,000 pound winch too. For snow plows I really like the Polaris Glacier plow I have. I don't know how the new ones attach but mine is really easy and you barely lose any ground clearance with the plow off.

 

X4 Go with the 2500 for a minimum. 3000 if you can swing it.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I'll probably check into that Warn Vantage 3000.

 

This is a great winch at a great price. Superwinch LT2500 ATV Winch : Cabela's

 

That is a great deal, its half the price of the Warn winch. Superwinch makes a good product. Looks like add another $59.99 for the mount and you're looking at $180 total price. Might have to look into that one myself.

 

Looks like a sweet deal. Amazon has the Superwinch LT3000 for $126 and free prime shipping. Does anyone have experience with these?

 

Couple friends had the Cabela's winch that was made by Superwinch at the time. Never had any problems with them.

 

Im a fan of Champion power equipment
Made in USA
I have a 12,000# and a couple of their 4500#
excellent winches, smooth fast and quiet

https://www.amazon.com/Champion-Powe...champion+winch

The Superwinch above is also good
Champion Badlands and Superwinch have proven themselves very reliable for the $$$
we do alot of winching

 

Do I just need the brand specific winch bracket? No wire harness or anything and is the installation something an amateur can do?

 

Yes most small winches share the same bolt pattern(s)
so your model specific mounting plate will work with any of these small winches

The Champion winches are the EASIEST to install since the winch relays are wired into the hand controller. So two wires to battery, two to winch
Order it with the hand held remote and the wireless remote kit and you are all set.
Best winch for the $$$ IMO

Costco was selling the Champion 12,000# with cradle for a smoking deal so I bought one...it has saved our butts and other peoples butts (like a furniture delivery truck that slid of my moms driveway 4 times due to some snow) so then I bought their 4500# for our Rzr xp1000...they work awesome! Used them to un stuck our Xp1000's in the snow on snow tracks (XP4 on tracks is size of suburban)
Very happy with Champion
plus USA built

I use my ATV and rzr for snow plowing (we live 9000') the Viper, and a couple other "ebay" winches last one season if you are lucky
Had to remove the viper 4000# from the machine twice one winter to get it working again (rebuild) that is a serious PITA during a blizzard
The Harbor freight Badlands winches and Champion hold up MUCH BETTER believe it or not
I know Viper brand or Black MAx or whatever makes good winches these days but its too late for me.......
Warn = too much $$$
Superwinch = great bargain tough as nails
for trucks I like Milemarker