Does anyone have any experience with any of these winches. I'm thinking about buying a winch for my 400 soon and was looking at some of these winches on a budget. It says they are waterproof and come with universal mounting plates as well. Any help is appreciated, thanks.



Viper classic 3000lb:

3000lb NEW ATV Winch VIPER MAX 3000 lb Roller Fairlead - eBay (item 370464452951 end time Dec-12-10 16:20:13 PST)


Superwinch 2000lb:

Superwinch Utility Electric Winch ? 2000-Lb. Capacity - eBay (item 380245876485 end time Dec-21-10 16:55:20 PST)


Promark Offroad 3000lb with synthetic rope:

3000LB PROMARK ATV Winch 3000 LB Synthetic Rope Pkg MQ - eBay (item 400141134685 end time Dec-30-10 08:10:38 PST)

 

I purchased a Gorilla Winch last year ($120). It worked for one trip and that was it. My wife ordered it for me for Christmas, so she ordered in November. In Ohio our trails don't open until April. By the time I went out the second time riding and found that the "sealed" winch wasn't actually sealed and no longer worked, the 6 month warranty was out. Gorilla wouldn't stand behind it even though it had only been used once. Rather than put the money into it to fix it, I tore it off and spent the money for a Warn. It has been the best money I have spent. We ride w/ 4 guys and we all have Warn winches. None of them have given us trouble. A winch is something that when you need it, you truly need it. Having a winch that doesn't work right all the time isn't an option. There are other people on here who I am sure have had great luck with the winches you mentioned, but in my opinion, you get what you pay for. Also, if you purchase by Dec. 31, Warn is giving a $50 rebate (can get form on their website) on the RT25. If you search around online, you can find the RT25 shipped to your door for around $280 w/ a $50 rebate. $230 for a high quality winch beats spending $100+ on something of questionable quality and durability.

 

I have had a gorilla 2500lb winch on my 700 sportsman for the last two years. Many of times I have pulled pretty hard with it to the point I thought some thing was going to brake. The drum broke a chunk out of the side from a hard side pull and they replaced it free, other than that I am pleased with it.

I have read both ways were people talk up there brand but I figure there all going to break usually at a not so good time.

 

Warn also come with a limited lifetime warranty,the others might too but ive used my warranty once. all i had to pay was the shipping which was $20. Then i found out it wasnt even the winch,it was the way i had it wired on my atv. They replaced a part but apparently didnt need it in the 1st place. Warn is a sealed winch(may only be certain models so id check into that to be certain). i have the 3.0 and have always had warn. If you spend $5-$8,000 on an atv,whats another $250 on a tool thats going to save your back,legs,arms,ect...when you try to get your atv out and saves a whole lotta trouble/headaches. On another note, anything electric CAN break or fail,its your call though.

 

i've got a chicago electric 3k lb winch from harbor freight, made my own control box for it though, the one that comes with them are junk, but it was a x-mas present last year and so far "knock on wood" its done me good, use it bout every time i take it out and its never failed

 

I just had to replace the control box & switch on the 1 year old (hardly used) viper 2.5 winch.
I took apart the control box to inspect it- the contacts were so corroded & burnt, it's would not pass the electricity.
The upgrade kit was only $30 on ebay so no big deal really- and the winch works well, just pulled a new SP 500 out of the mud with it 2 weeks ago

 

I understand, im just trying to find a decent one on a budget. After the $3000 I bought mine for, then the $650 for wheels and tires, i'm not really into putting another $300 mod on there for the warn winch. We don't ride very often, just looking at a decent cheaper one if I even decide to buy one.

 

I would truly feel less confident riding in the new england trails without a winch- has saved my *** and other's asses more times then I can remember!

You can find decent winches on ebay for under $200. Anything under 2500 lbs is no good IMHO- but any winch is a good winch when you've been sucked into a new england swamp!
plus it's a lot cheaper then paying a wrecker to tow you out (if they can even reach you)

 

point blank-warn is the best! I have probably had 10 differnt winches on my rock crawler and the all break down eventually.super winch is a strong one for the money and also summit has some that they label but are name brand winches.The key to 90% of the winches failing is proper install and keep the relays as dry as you can and check your connections frequently because they pull so much amps that a loose wire will burn up in a second.You can also get by with a cheaper winch just upgrade the soliniods with better ones from an auto parts store.ther pretty cheap.good luck