Buying 550 Touring - advice on winch/plow
 

Hi, I'm about to make a leap and upgrade the old Trailboss to a 550 Touring to enjoy with the kids. I want to plow with it so I wanted to get advice on a winch/plow.

First with the winch I am a little worried about getting a polaris winch as it is made in China. Also I am leaning Warn because of their warranty. Would the Warn XT25 be adequate for this machine? Looks like a beutiful winch, and I would think it would be powerful enough, especially if you use a block. The XT30 costs alot more than I would like to spend.

As far as plows go I know very little. The Glacier plows/mounts look nice. I see there is a new Glacier III out.

As always any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

The money you save on the cheaper model will do you no good once you're stuck and the cheaper winch can't handle the job.

No, I agree. That is why I want to make sure I get something that is adequate. So are you saying just not to get a Polaris winch, or that the Warn XT25 is not powerful enough?

Should be powerful enough. I had a Warn 2500 on a Sportsman X2 that is very similar weight-wise to the Touring. Only time I had to use a snatch block is when I slid off a groomed trail in the winter and the snow was 3-4 ft. deep. Winch would not budge it using single line pull but did fine with the snatch block pulley. I also recommend using synthetic rope rather than the steel cable. Much easier to work with and I haven't broken the synthetic yet where plowing I broke the wire two times.

No no on the Po winch. My 550 xp has the 3000 lb Warn and I've had it to the max to pull my 550 0ut (900 lbs wit Tracks).

You can't go wrong with a Warn winch. I always recommend you get one 3 times the weight of the ATV. That gives you enough power to get out of some pretty bad holes. As for the plow I don't know how good the Glacier 3 is. The Glacier 1 was a good plow that they replaced with the faster to mount but weaker Glacier 2. Hopefully the Glacier 3 is better than that. If not there are a lot of good plows out there.

WHEN you get stuck, you'd be happier KNOWING the winch will do the job rather than HOPING it will. But, the 3000 is def more $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Have fun either way!

Good points all. I'll stick with Warn then and get at least the 2500. Is the XT line the way to go? They have 4 lines of winches now so it gets a little confusing.

I'll have to look at reviews for the glacier III. Another question. If I put armor on the bottom of the atv I can only put A arm guards right? You can't put a plow mount and armor on the frame correct? Thanks again.

XT-RT both good products. Dont have a plow so no info 4U there/

I ended up ordering the Warn XT30. Great deal on Amazon for $400 and free shipping. Also Warn has a $50 rebate going right now. Can't beat that winch of $350!

I guess before next winter I'll have to figure out a plow setup. Question for now is I usually add Ricochet armor to my quads. Do any of you know if you can't use armor with a plow mount? I figure I can at least get the a-arm guards as those shouldn't get in the way.