Warn winch vs Smittybilt

I have 2009 crew cab 4x4 taco and I cant decide which winch to buy.


Either the
Warn VR8-S GEN II 8000lb Winch - 96805
https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/warn-vr8-s-gen-ii-8000lb-winch-96805/_/R-BCSQ-96805
or the
Smittybilt XRC 9.5K Gen2 9500lb Winch Synthetic Rope with Aluminum Fairlead - 98495 https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/smitt...e-with-aluminum-fairlead-98495/_/R-DSBP-98495.

If anyone could help.....

 

Imagine Harbor freight vs Snap on. There's a reason one is more expensive than the other. Smittybilt has a 20% duty cycle where Warn has 100% duty cycle.

 

The Warn doesn't look like the solenoid pack comes off so keep that in mind when getting a bumper or mount.

 

Warn


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When it comes to recovery gear, cheaper is NEVER better. Spend the extra money. It's a hit up front but when your recovery gear is literally your life line, you will be glad you spent the extra dough for quality equipment.

 

Solenoid can be remotely mounted, or directly to the winch on the M8000 models.

 

Yea, but that's not the winch he posted.

 

I have the VR8, the solenoid can be removed.

 

no experience, but have heard Comeup winches are good too.

 

Warn. They have a good reputation for a reason. Looking to mount my m8000 on my Tacoma soon, it lived on my jeep for 4 years and got lots of use.

 

I would buy based on how much you'll use it. No point in paying that much for a ornament to have hid in your bumper.

I have the xrc 9.5, worked every time I've used it. Granted that's only about 6 times now, wasnt paying that much for something that will get used 4 times a year

 

I have warn winches and smitty’s .
Neither one has failed, nor any mishaps

 

Yes it does. Done so on mine.

 

I'm using VR12S. Solenoid pack relocated to driver's side of winch, on Pelfreybilt plate bumper. Fits perfect.

 

Warn and Smittybilt have great warranties. Smittybilt has a higher failure rate, albeit repairs can be made via warranty. Nothing mechanical is fail proof. I know a dozen people with Smittybilt winches. All but one has made a warranty claim of some nature. That speaks to the quality of the product more so than the quality of the warranty in my eyes. I've had 5 (own 2 now) Warn winches. Had ONE claim, a solenoid on one of the old school 8000lb models in the late '70's....

If you use a winch once a year, you want a good one that doesn't leak/rust/corrode. If you use one 500 times a year you want one that's going to hold up. I won't run the risk of a bargain winch failing me when I need it. Remember, they don't break while you're parked in your driveway.....They break when you're hanging on the edge of a mountain....

In just over a year, I've made 16 pulls with the VR12S. 3 of them were hard sustained pulls. All I saw was great performance, reliability, and dependability. I'll go with that.

I have a Warn VR12S and a Warn VR10S now. No future plans to go cheaper.

 

Warn all the way! They are tough and reliable.

 

If you have the money I know you will be happy spending the extra and going with warn

 

I am going with the Warn 10s Platinum due to duty cycle and line speed. I'm hoping the tech is reliable. But the solenoid relocation in a 3rd gen with GP 31 battery and ARB Twin is going to be a pain as far as I can tell (parts not yet in hand).

 

Both are great budget friendly winches, I was also debating which one to get. Both made in China, and for the money I believe they will do their jobs. I eventually went with the Warn Zeon 10k because the housing, serviceability, and the Zeon and M lines are made right here in the good old USA.

 

I had a warn on my CJ5, and I have a smitty on my Tacoma. Both worked as designed and have never failed me. Both get use about 20 times annually if I had to guess...

 

I have one of each on 2 different vehicles. Both are fine. The Warn is faster, but I have never stalled either.

Make sure your battery is up to the task.