So where's the best place to get a winch
 

I need a winch and bracket. Anyone see any good deals on a Warn, out there lately? What size is recommended for a 550?

I just bought a Superwinch 3000 for my pops 550 from Amazon.com. UNDER 250$$!!!!!

For a mount I have bought KFI units, free shipping and fast service.

CW

Warn is offering a $50 rebate right now on RT25 which would be an appropriate size for your 550. If you google RT25 there are places online selling them as low as $285, but you have to watch out for shipping costs. I just bought mine off Amazon for $303 and free shipping. As long as you buy before Dec.31 you can mail in rebate information and get $50 back.

A 2500 lb winch should be fine for your quad, unless you might get stuck in mud or bogs. A 3000 lb or 3500 lb might be better in that case. Remember, just because they are rated at "X" lbs, doesn't mean they will pull that much. Sportsman's are heavy... doesn't hurt to have a little bigger winch.

You really have to hunt around for the best deals. Check out any place you can Google the one you want. Check for discount codes... etc. I got my Warn XT 30 at Gander when I found a 20% discount off their already "sale" price with free shipping. Ended up paying around $350 shipped on a $500 winch

The mount should cost you around $50 to $60 dollars. KFI makes a good one. They even make one if you have a Glacier Plow.

The ratings are with one rap on the drum so you need to have about 40 ft of cable out for it to be pulling with its rated force. I always try to use a snatch block it helps alot.

3000 lb for XP550 is best as it is a heavy machine. Check "Montana Jacks" online. Usually have good deals.

ebay has good deals sometimes if you shop for it.

i bought a warn 30xt(red) with synthetic rope from Atvdirect.com, a couple years ago for $310 shipped. The 3,000lb winches are or were sealed,not sure about the smaller ones.

edit: just checked the site. The 3000mt with rope is $400. It is sealed and a mount is $70

Well, I'm leaning towards getting the Warn XT25 for $327 with free shipping, and another $50 off with the rebate. I think this winch is all I need for the riding I do, no big mud holes.

However,I am wondering what is the big difference between the RT25, XT25 and the 2500MT?

I know I will need a mounting plate, will I need anything else like cables??

they are all basically all the same but here ya go...

Extreme Terrain Winch Series

THE WARN XT EXTREME TERRAIN WINCH SERIES IS FOR THE EXTREME RIDER WHO TAKES THE TRAIL LESS TRAVELED AND RIDES ON THE EDGE. WITH A TON OF STANDARD FEATURES INCLUDING LIGHTWEIGHT, EASY-TO-HANDLE SYNTHETIC ROPE AND AN AVAILABLE WIRELESS CONTROL SYSTEM, THE XT WINCHES HAVE THE FEATURES THE MOST DEMANDING RIDERS WANT.

THE RT RUGGED TERRAIN SERIES OF WINCHES ARE MADE FOR THE PERSON WHO USES THEIR POWERSPORTS VEHICLE AS A TOOL TO GET A JOB DONE. FROM CLEARING A DOWNED TREE ON THE TRAIL OR MOVING A HEAVY LOAD ON THE FARM; PULLING THAT PRIZE DEER OUT OF THE FIELD OR GETTING TO A PRIME HUNTING SPOT - THE RT SERIES WINCHES ARE GOING TO HELP YOU GET THE JOB DONE RIGHT.

The 2500mt i think is just the plain 'ol 2500lb winch with steel cable. You can order synthetic rope with any of them i think, but the XT comes with it already on it. If youy want to get rope try looking at amsteel rope. sometimes cheaper than warns rope but the same thing,only i think its blue.

also,where are you buying it from? friend is looking as well.