If I were you I would just stay out of the heavy stuff until you save up enough for a good winch. I thought I did my homework and researched all of the winches out there, ended up buying the gorilla 2500lb. winch in July 09 because it actually looked like it was a well made winch. However, when I received it there were two mounting nuts missing , I called them up and they said they would send the parts, no big deal I turn wrenches for a living. But after the peice of junk left me stranded in the woods, twice miles from anywhere I got a decided that maybe I should have spent a little more cash and got a better winch and use the Gorilla for an anchor on my canoe.

 

You hit the nail right on the head!!!

 

If the "Off brands" always pull you out, you may not be in very far.

 

My son had Warn winch on his old King Quad for 6 years... never an issue, and he used it hard. He's had a Warn on his Cat for 4 years... again used hard... no issues. I had a Warn on my Sportsman for two years and used it hard... no issues here either.

When I got my new quad... guess what winch I got.

 

I've talked to brother a little more about this and have convinced him to hold off and save up for the warn. If he's gonna be out in the nasty stuff and gets stuck I'll come to the rescue and laugh the whole time I'm pulling him out. Now with that said, the ding dong will probably go out sooner or later without me and screw himself. Then it'll cost him a case to come get'em.