I am planning on picking up a new 800 in the next couple of weeks and I can't decide what size winch to get. Do you think the 2500 pound is enough or since the machine is so large should I just go ahead and get the 3000 pound version? I am putting the brush guard, front rack extender and rear bumper on as well and thought the smaller winch, being lighter, may be the better choice. I would not want to be in a situation where I needed the extra power of the 3000 and not have it though.... Any thoughts will be appreciated.

 

get the 3000 ... i have the 2500 warn and never had a problem ... but when riding with another 500HO last weekend with the 3000 ... WOW it's alot faster pulling when under load.

 

I would go with the 3000lb also the 800 will have no problem with the weight. I have a 2500lb and its worked great so far.

 

I've got the 3000 on my '05 700 EFI, nice winch....I think the rule of thumb since you went with the 800 is 'GO BIG'....

 

I was the one 20045SP500HO rode with the 3000lb warn. I personally couldnt tell a diffrence since I had never used a winch really before. For me the price diffrence was $50. So I check out the specs on both the 2.5CI and the 3.0CI. I figured alot of times I would never get it out to the 1st Layer and would do the majority of the pulling on the 3&4th layer, which is 300lb's more on the 3.0. That is my reasoning. Plus you get a hand held remote with the 3.0.

2.5CI
1 Layer=2500
2 Layer=2200
3 Layer=1930
4 Layer=1700

3.0CI
1 Layer=3000
2 Layer=2640
3 Layer=2320
4 Layer=2040

 

I have a warn 2.5ci and have only had a winch cable break on it. if I had to do it over again I would go with the 3000lb winch but would go with the Ramsey due them having a limited lifetime warranty. neither warranties there cables but the Ramsey has the LLT warranty and is cheaper. Lesteratv.com has them on sale pretty cheap right now.