Looking For Winch Suggestions.

[jw_334]

So now that my winch mount conundrum is over, I am looking for a new winch. Not wanting to spend more that like $200. Any suggestions fellas? Was looking at the Superatv Black Ops winch. Anybody have experience with Superatv winches?

[airshot]

I got a KFI winch, great reviews, no problems in 3 yrs I have had it. Repair parts readily availiable if needed. Decent price for the quality. Just stay away from off brands that are real cheap...there is a reason they are.

[jw_334]

Thanks Airshot. What size winch do you have? I know rule of thumb says to go 1.5 X your listed vehicle weight for minimum rated line pull on a winch. Well that would put me at just over 1600 lbs. So like a 2000 lb winch. I was looking at a 3500 lb winch. My thought being more line pull would be better. Or is that just overkill?

[CROSSBOLT]

My wife gifted me a 2500# winch from Harbor Freight with a wireless control. Bolt holes required a little Dremel work but has been used occasionally for 3 years with great satisfaction and utility. It is noisy but it works. You guys that really go places and do things (like firewood) probably would be better for throwing down more than 85 bucks for a winch to get better reliability the higher price implies.

[airshot]

Mine is a 2500# plenty of power. Also keep in mind that on real heavy pulls you can use a stationary object like a tree and double your pulling load. So my 2500 becomes a 5000. Also keep in mind that higher rates winches pull slower due to gear ratio. You have to determine what uses it will have.

[randyo]

get one with synthetic rope rather than wire rope,  wire rope is known for metal slivers if you're not wearing gloves

[airshot]

get one with synthetic rope rather than wire rope,  wire rope is known for metal slivers if you're not wearing gloves

Good point, I replaced my cable with syn rope soon after install. I kept the roller fairlead, dont like the idea of polished alum for my rope to ride over. Had it on for 3 years with no problems, the syn rope is a plus whether you get the winch with it or add it after. I keep the old cable for added length in case I need to make a long pull.

[randyo]

The only thing wire is better for is abrasion and UV, wire isn't as strong, stores more energy, so if it breaks, it flys around more, wire gets kinks, weakening it quicker, it's heavier, rusts unless you keep it soaked with WD,  and then there's the damn splinters that make it harder to handle,

synthetic also floats instead of sinking to the bottom of the mud pit

[jw_334]

Thanks for all of your insight guys. It is much appreciated.

[airshot]

Even us old dogs learn something new every day....I knew of the features of syn rope but did not know it floats!!  I do know for operating the plow blade it is much nicer. Cable kinked way to easy!!

[Heck]

So, my 700i LE came with a NuJet winch- I cannot find any info on line as to specifications etc  (the winch brake does not hold the plow up in the air- you raise the plow and it just slowly drops..).  The info from Kymco says it is a 3000# winch. it uses 3/16 cable. The cable is junk- frays quickly then breaks. I've had to repair it twice now this snow season. Like everyone, I dont want to sink a ton of money into a winch, but am willing to spend enough that I dont have the problems that I have been having up to this point. Anyone have Specs on the Nujet? Apples for apples.........

[airshot]

Never heard of them, sounds like a cheap import.  I would tell your dealer to keep it as it doesnt work right anyway.  My dealer recomended the KFI winch, he sells alot of them over the years with no complaints

[jw_334]

Just pulled the trigger on a Viper Elite 4500. MotoAlliance usually sells them for $439. They are on sale right now for $329. That right there is a great deal. But I also had an Ebay coupon code for 15% off. Plus free shipping. So to the door was $280. If this winch is as good as the reviews claim then it was a screaming deal.

[airshot]

Not familiar with them but there are many that I am not familiar with. My KFI was 250 on sale (reg 300)  from qhat I have saw, good winches are not cheap. I assume it came with everything you need to hook it up?  Take your time and do a good install, tie up all wiring good, it sucks to have a probllem when you need it most!

[Heck]

Airshot- What size KFI winch do you have?  Also which machine is it mounted on?