Finally getting around to buying a winch and I need some input.I'm not looking to put a ton of dough into a winch. im considering the 8.5 lb smittybilt $279 right now or the rugged ridge 8.5lbs that selling for $250. I'm not into rock crawling just mud trails in URE and on my property in northern PA. Any feedback on either would be appreciated. I plan on ordering it this week.

 

I got a smitty xrc8 only used it once to help a fellow jeep out. Worked good

 

I'm thinking you'll probably want more than 8.5 lbs of winching capability.

All kidding aside, I've heard some pretty good things about the Quadratec Q-series winches, though I don't have any firsthand experience with them.

 

Mud tends to hold on to your jeep when your stuck,, so you should want more pulling power for that application. When we use a winch for a rock crawl situation,, we are just pulling the jeep over a few feet of obstacle we cant clear. There is no deep, thick, sticky stuff holding on to the vehicle. For mud,, go bigger!!

 

Good rule of thumb is 8k for 2 door, 10k for 4. You can always use a snatch block and double your pull.

 

You may need more pull to get you out.

I'm running a 12,000lb winch on mine and never really had a problem.
(Except for the stock battery being due for replacement and kinda weak too.)

That being said you can get snatch blocks and winch extension straps that would allow for double and/or triple line pulls that will significantly reduce the strain on you winch while recovering your vehicle. Some extra rigging will be required but you're already stuck so there's plenty of time to do it right.

Also if you have a smaller winch you should definitely take resting it between pulls.
This will make recovery slower however your winch won't burn out so you won't be stuck permenantly.

Good luck with your purchase whichever way you go.

 

You'll be good with the 8500. Just pick up a snatch block. It doubles your pulling capacity. Effectively, for about $100 or less, you get a fast winch (8500#) or double the limit to 17k#.

 

I walked right into that one!! Haha. Thanks for all the suggestion. A buddy of mine gave me a bag full of recovery gear when he sold his jeep so I might stick with 8500 lb winch.

 

I have an Engo E9000. Partly based on shootout I read. Have not used yet. I also purchased Rugged Ridge recovery kit came with two 3/4 d-rings and a snatch block as well. Very happy with my purchase.

 

BRAND (and maybe price) matters here! The brands you have listed, while in your price range, are that price for a reason. Both have a reputation for poor reliability. I've witnessed on more than one occasion, a SB item fail at the worst possible moment. Might as well gamble with the HF model if it is cheaper.

I've always run the SW brand... but others are just as good or maybe better? I've never had issue with one of mine and our winches get exercised very regularly in scenarios that likely are much more taxing than the average winch sees.