Seriously, I wouldn't go with less than an 8000# winch for any full bodied vehicle. As for length of line, I have had 100' of cable AND 2 20' straps out on 4-5 occasions to make the necessary pulls.

A Samurai can get away with a 6000# winch. Other than that go big.

Just make sure and watch the tempature on long/heavy pulls. harbor freight and other knock offs can lead a long, purposful life if you watch the temps closely.

-Rob

Which temp do you mean? Does the actual engine temp rise while you winch? Or does the temp of the winch itself rise? If so is there another way besides touch to know how hot it is getting?

Lucas

nope, talking about the temp of the winch's electric motor... electric motors generate heat the harder they work, heat is their #1 killer.

basically the only way to tell is by touching the motor. it will get hot! too hot to touch on a heavy pull. best thing you can do is be aware of the heat buildup and stop in between hard pulls to allow some heat to dissipate. this especially applies if you're using syn. rope instead of wire cable as the cable is actually acts as a heat sink drawing heat off the drum and away from the motor.

some of the new warn winchs have thermometric indicators for these reasons.

-Rob

You know the old saying, you get what you pay for. just my 2 cents, good luck on your choice. Don

thanks for the tip. I will keep that in mind when I get to use it.
thanks
Lucas

I decided to go with the mile marker got it for $399 from summit Costco with tax and shipping came to $400 and change. summit was free shipping. The Mile marker seems pretty good not a Warn but good.

Like Rob said,heat is the killer.

Biggest thing with the HF,Milemarker,ramsey etc..(the ones that look alike-they all come in the same box---the cheaper versions of all of them are made in the same factory in china.I got a milemarker, and a HF for same price and they are 99% identical.)

If the winches Do Not brag about having bearings,they will have bronze bushings that support the armature for the electric motor.When these get hot,they "cook" the lube out of these bushings,with repeated
cycles they can "lock up".Most people think the motor is bad so these winches get a bad name.

Every year i recommend taking the motor apart and cleaning,lubing these bushings(check for gaulding(?)
and smooth out the shaft with fine sand paper etc.

If you use the winch alot this may be needed more often,
this also applies to water/salt etc. damage,salt will corrode the aluminum in the housings(something that could of been fixed at the design table with a simple anodizing process)

Just a little info

Bansil

Alright I will make sure to keep it well lubed. For the price I can afford to take a little extra time to make sure it lasts.
thanks

Lucas