whats your thoughts on winches like superwinch and mile marker? I know they are cheap but will they get the job done?

 

I think for most of us a second tier winch would do the job....Ive heard alot of good things about SuperWinch. If your using all day, every day.....then the Warn and like would probably be the best bet.

 

I have been looking at the Gorilla/Promark winches. They seem to be held in pretty high regard by people who have them. They have an ebay store where you can get them for a pretty good price.

 

I have recently installed a 2000 lb. Superwinch in my Bayou and it seems pretty good. The only thing that I do not like with it is the contactor unit is not really a 'contactor'. It is a box with 2 80 amp relays wired together to accomodate reversing the motor with the thumb switch. Just recently I bought a 'real' contactor assembly off ebay to keep as a spare just in case these relays burn up. I can see it happening at just the perfect moment...! I wonder if the larger Superwinches have the relays or a contactor?

 

I just received my delivery of my new Viper Winch. I bought the 3000lb winch which was about half the price of a Warn. I have not installed it yet but will let you know how I make out. I have read nothing but great things about Viper and for the price I could buy 2 for the price of 1 Warn.

 

OK, maybe a bit OT, but how is a 'contactor' different then two relays? Still new to winches, so forgive the noob question!

 

A contactor is a sealed assembly with large lugs to connect the winch to contactor wiring and the battery to contactor wiring. (1st pic) It is a better way to switch the direction of the motor (to run the winch cable in and out) vs. the relay way. The relays that the superwinch use are similar to the ones in this picture (2nd pic) and there are two wired together to reverse the motor. The contactor was 27.99 bucks shipped on ebay. Hope this answers your question...if not, someone else better chime in cuz that's all I know!

 

Thanks, Matstang!

 

iv had good luck with the superwinch 1500lb one i had. i used it for plowing. never had a problem with it. had it for 3yrs then sold the wheeler.

 

Go with Warn or Ramsey or regret it!!!! Nothing worse than having to hike out of the back 40 to get help with a stuck atv!!!!