Winchcraft: The Dark Art

[Silverback]

So this came up in some recommended feed bullshit..

Amazon.com: WARN 62132 Power Interrupt Kit with Battery Lead, Hardware, Solenoid, Switch and Wiring: Automotive

Buy WARN 62132 Power Interrupt Kit with Battery Lead, Hardware, Solenoid, Switch and Wiring: Battery Chargers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Looks ok, but the solenoid seems a bit on the small side (after having my Oasis compressor melt 200 amp breakers I have a healthy respect for a winch motor). Anyhow, I like the idea and I have an open space in my SPOD which I could use as the on/off for it.

Found this solenoid, 500 amps continuous, 700 surge. Gonna put this on my "wish list" and when I get some other shit done I might do it.

https://www.amazon.com/PAC-PAC-500-500-Amp-Battery-Isolator/dp/B001YIPXR2

 

[tx_shooter]

Ironic this thread popped up today. I had a one sided discussion on FB about why I would rather do controlled winching vs full throttle sliding pulls in mud. It seems the common sense and logic to recovery methods is a lost art.

 

[Oswego]

Most people didn't grow up with winches "back in my day" so still allot of oldschool "mash the skinny pedal" guys are still around.

I've never had one on a truck or atv, but if I had one I'd have allot less "guy almost died" campfire recovery stories to tell

 

[tx_shooter]

I guess growing up with large tractors and such the idea of "controlled" and "safe" was a big deal. There was a rancher that I did summer work for that had lost part of an arm in an accident. He was quick to tell people to not get in a hurry and then hold up his partial arm as reason why. So I have always stopped and thought through a couple options before just jumping into a "mash the pedal" solution. At the end of they day everyone needs to go home safely.

 

[Oswego]

I was just a drunk and dumb kid. Rigged our crane at the marina for years so I knew better but after a few beers... I'd take that 30k strap and beat my trucks like a tard

 

[Anathollo]

Interesting...

 

[Silverback]

Interesting...
View attachment 39570

A lot like the Warn Pullzall I have that raises and lowers the slot car track.

 

[Anathollo]

A lot like the Warn Pullzall I have that raises and lowers the slot car track.

Yeah that's what I was thinking as well but you don't need 110V power for this so it'll be really useful out in the field or on a trailer that you don't want to have to mount a battery and winch too.

 

[Silverback]

They sell a battery powered version as well. But 700 lbs would be nice for clearing trails or hanging up a deer.

 

[TacoXpo]

They sell a battery powered version as well. But 700 lbs would be nice for clearing trails or hanging up a deer.

Or pulling a rolled up, blood stained carpet from a bedroom late at night.

 

[Silverback]

Or pulling a rolled up, blood stained carpet from a bedroom late at night.

It does have it's usages.

 

[CowboyTaco]

I didn't see another thread specific to winches. Is the WARN VR EVO series worth the extra money over the Smittybilt?

I'm strongly considering the Warn VR EVO 10-S, but that's a lot of money for something that I likely won't use very often. (The comparable Gen2 Smittybilt is about $200 less. The gen3 Smitty 9500 is $140 less.) That said, knowing that it isn't going to get used "often" I still want it to "work" when I need it. I figure a winch is a buy once cry once sort of purchase.

I've also read that the VR EVO is the Chinese made entry level winch from Warn. I really don't want to get it and find out that I should have bought a "real" warn. I want a synthetic cable for the weight saving, but for cost comparison, I could buy two of the steel cable smittybilt winches for less than the cost of the single Warn winch.

 

[Silverback]

What about these other brands? Come Up and some others that are getting good reviews. Hell that HF BadLands is what a bunch of YouTubers are using and not complaining. I never had an issue with my Warn M8000 though.

Edit.. cancel that HF recommendation.

But there are a shitload of winch comparison vids.

 

[CowboyTaco]

I've looked at others as well.

ComeUp is proud of their stuff and the price shows. They are comparable (at least in price) to the "real" warn.

I've considered the Badlands winch. They only offer the synthetic in a 12k and it is more expensive than the Gen3 Smittybilt. I wouldn't mind a 12k, but even a 10k is more winch than I need. Per the Warn website, the 10k would be ideal for an F150, F250 Super Duty, etc. So even if I were to get a full size truck in the future, the 10k will meet my needs. Back on topic of the Badlands, when it isn't on sale, it's pricey. I think it was down sub $400 for Black Friday, but I missed that deal and it is up to $600 right now.

This will be the first winch I've ever purchased and hope that it will be my last.

Also, any issues fitting a synthetic into the ARB bumper? I think I remember @Taco Loco saying something about the recess in the bumper requiring a different fairlead. I don't want to have to purchase a bunch of other stuff to make it work. I want the most complete out-of-the box setup I can get. I do know that I will have to clock the winch to get it to sit in the ARB right. So far, I have not come across any winches that don't have that capability.

 

[Silverback]

My buddy has a 2017 Taco with an ARB and a Smittybuilt. I'll ping him.

 

[CowboyTaco]

Rough Country is one that I looked at last year. They have gone up 25% in cost from $400 to $500 over the last 12 months. For that price, I'd get the Smitty and get one that at least has a reputation.

 

[Silverback]

He said he got a Smitty 9.5k (not sure on model). Said the winch bolts right up but it says you need a kit to mount the solenoids. He modified the insert and bolted the solenoids to that.

 

[CowboyTaco]

Yeah, the Warn has a relocation kit as well. I've seen people just drill the bumper to make it fit, but the kit comes with longer wires.

 

[tx_shooter]

I have used my Smitty a number of times and have been completely happy with it.

 

[CowboyTaco]

I have used my Smitty a number of times and have been completely happy with it.

How long have you had it?