New generation of cheap winches

[StuartO]

I have the Ironman delux commercial bar installed on a 16 model. Im now chasing a cheap winch as i will only use it rarely. If i had the cash i would go a Warn or at least a runva, but I'm struggling to justify that much until i will use it more.

So my options are the ridgeryder supercheap model. Its anywhere from $300 up on special but has wire cable. So another $100 or so for dyneema.

Then there is the infamous Tigerz11 grande mk3. The old models got bad reviews but is there any real world experience on these new models? They are $360 with dyneema rope.

Any other recommendations that are under $500?

Thanks for any input.

[Lundy]

From my personal experience when i need my next winch i wont even be thinking about warn. It will be a runva. Might be a bit more than the ridge ryder and tigerz one but lots of guys i know have runvas and they are a big step above the supercheap and tigers one for not all that much extra.

[davo94]

Runva are getting great reviews. I have a ridge rider fitted as it was a gift and it works well enough every time I need it. For the money I would get another one.

[john253a]

Dom8ter I think it's called
Mate has one from super centre and it's does well, and is good value for money

[fracturedranga]

Ive got a grande mk3. Its copped a heap of flat out abuse and its still going strong. I gave it a service a while back and everything still looked good. A bit of dirt in the grease but ive submersed it in mud a few times. I got it for $300 on special from 4wd superstore and id definitely get one again

[incman]

Here are some shootouts, not many recent ones. Wonder why the 4wd mags dont do some comparisons, they do everything else

https://wiki.ezvid.com/best-winches
http://www.4wdworld.com.au/4WD-Action-M ... rison.html
http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/129-1 ... -shootout/
http://www.mechanicalcaveman.com/best-w ... y-reviews/
http://twistim.com/KINGONE%20lier%20test.pdf

[TOYZX]

In my opinion if you can't afford a decent one yet then save a bit more. You may not want to use it often but when you do you'll want it to work and work well! Cos chances are your in the s#$t!

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[Senirb]

I agree with Toyzx
I've been with mates on so many recoveries when they get out their cheap winches
We usually end up with the below

1-It becomes a lengthy recovery generally waiting for the winch to cool down
2- the winch stops working
3- the winch does not work
Or
4-after experiencing many recoveries, the first point of call is the person with the warn winch

The Warn is far superior time and time again

Now I will wait for my commission from Warn
But they are overpriced- there goes my commission

[TOYZX]

They r over priced! Dont tell my boss i said that lol! I work for an arb store and I didn't even buy one! I have a smittybuilt and so far has been great.

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[StuartO]

I agree that i should be looking at at least the runva, and i am. But boy it is hard to overlook those cheapies. I'm seriously considering that domin8r. I could get 2 for the price of the runva.

But at least i know the runva should serve many years and it's supposed to be maintanence free.

[TOYZX]

Im spewin I didn't get a pic but I seen the result of a dodgy domin8a today. The guy recovered his mate then wrapped his synthetic rope around his intensity spotties for the drive home with the intent of washing the rope when he got home. Walked inside to get his cleaning stuff and came out to find his winch had shorted and had been running on its own pulling all the rope tight destroying his lights and the top plate section of his bar!

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[StuartO]

Any more info on this toyz? I have heard of this happening. Is this due to bad connections or the control box shorting out or the solenoid? I'm new to winches.

I'm guessing this wouldn't happen to a runva?

[davbar65]

I know from experience some of the cheap import winches with wireless remotes will self-run at seemingly random times. I believe he remote is picking up a signal from other nearby devices. Too risky so the wireless receiver was removed completely.

It doesn't happen with my Runva but did with a 3000lb import winch I use for pulling stuff up onto my tray.

Cheers.

[StuartO]

Here are some shootouts, not many recent ones. Wonder why the 4wd mags dont do some comparisons, they do everything else

https://wiki.ezvid.com/best-winches
http://www.4wdworld.com.au/4WD-Action-M ... rison.html
http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/129-1 ... -shootout/
http://www.mechanicalcaveman.com/best-w ... y-reviews/
http://twistim.com/KINGONE%20lier%20test.pdf

Some good reviews there. Interestingly the old tigerz11 was $1000 back then and didn't go too bad. I'm sure it has come along way since then and much cheaper.

As usual the warn was a standout on all reviews. I'd like to see a comparo on the runva and a new gen tigerz11.

[TOYZX]

We r pretty sure it had something to do with his wireless remote. Made a mess of his bar tho!

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[incman]

All smittybilt have Lifetime Mechanical Warrant

All X20 winches come with a Lifetime Mechanical Warranty and a 5-Year Electrical Warranty.
XRC winches come with a Lifetime Mechanical Warranty and a 3-Year Electrical Warranty.

http://www.smittybilt.com/downloads/SB_ ... tended.pdf

[TOYZX]

Correct incman, thats the main reason I got one better warranty that the warn!

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[Jamair]

I've a ridge Ryder 9500lb with dynema rope. $400 on sale at SCA. Used it to get my Lux plus a triton plus a ranger through several wheel-top deep bogs of grey clay porridge on the Cape. Still going strong.

Only modification I made was running it off the 2nd battery via a constant duty solenoid (the 2nd battery also isolated overall by another constant duty solenoid) after thinking about the possibilities of the control system shorting.

[john253a]

That's very common with any wireless remote, just more common with the cheaper as they use lower feq that more devices use, 27mhz rings a bell for some resion, witch is same as many radios
Everyone I know with them throw the wireless away and only use the hard remote or disconnect the wireless when finished using

In the end that's not the winches fault that the winch pickup a signal from other items, it's the users fault, for not removing wireless plug, if the winch shorted out and turned on that would be a different story,

[davbar65]

The cheapy that played up on me had the wireless receiver built into the solenoid housing so unplugging wasn't a simple option. Disassembly and complete removal of the receiver was the best answer for me. I'd rather the winch only operate when I want it to.
With the Runva the receiver is also built into the solenoid housing and has been faultless to date though I only power the winch when I need to use it just to be sure. If it shows any sign of operating wirelessly through a stray signal I'll remove it also.....perfectly happy to use a wired handpiece to control the winches.
The small benefit of wireless isn't worth the risk of damaging the vehicle, the winch or the wiring for what I do with them.