Off-roading is second nature to the Jeep. These robust SUVs (even the smallest and the largest ones) can manage to tackle bad or no road better than a lot of rivals. But what happens when you go just an inch too far - and you get stuck? Of course, you can't just press the reset button in this game. You have to find a way to get out. A friend with a tow rope might sound like a great idea but what if their Jeep/SUV/truck can't even reach you? You then need a winch. It can be self-powered or use your Jeep for power. It can pull you out of that difficult situation. That is why it's considered to be a blessing for off-roaders and adventurers. And we look at some highly popular choices to help you select the best winch for Jeep.
Equipped with a 26-meter-long synthetic cable, the X-BULL winch is for the more serious off-road/recovery users. It comes with a maximum load capacity of 13000 lb. The winch has a waterproof IP67 rating, is backed by a one-year limited warranty and lifetime tech support, and most importantly, gets a wireless remote.
It has a 500-ampere solenoid, automatic load-holding, a three-stage planetary gear system, and a free-spooling clutch. The wireless remote makes operating the winch even safer and easier. The winch also boasts a power in and out motor for positive load control. The synthetic cable is another of its strong points. It has a breaking strength of almost 24,000 lb - nearly double of what it's supposed to pull at max with the winch.
The X-BULL winch is a solid product for the price it retails at. Users are generally satisfied with its performance and installation. Some users have mentioned that the synthetic cable might not fare as well in the long run. But it's easy to operate and has a solid load capacity.
This is a bundle that contains two items: a Smittybilt XRC Gen-2 winch and a Smittybilt cradle for the same. The winch is rated to pull up to 9500 lb whereas the cradle is suitable for applications of up to 12,000 lb. This makes the combination perfect for off-road enthusiasts, especially if you aren't looking at throwing a wad of cash for this.
The winch is powered by a 6.6 hp amphibious motor backed by a 3-stage planetary gear system. It has a 500-ampere solenoid, is claimed to be water-proof (with an IP67 certification), comes with all the necessary hardware and wiring, and is backed by a 5-year or 100,000-mile warranty. It's operated with the help of a corded remote.
The winch cradle can be mounted at either the front or the rear. It works with any 2-inch receiver hitch and also includes a mounting plate for roller fairlead. The battery terminal for it is sold separately, though.
As a decent entry-level winch, the Smittybilt Winch and Cradle combo work well. The load-bearing capacity isn't the highest, but the price isn't that high, either. Alternatively, if you're interested in the brand, you can also spec it with a higher load capacity of up to 17500 lb. As far as this product is concerned, users are happy with its performance at the given price.
Some users have mentioned that the winch isn't waterproof and the quality can be improved. On the other hand, a lot of users who had to contact the customer support were happy with how their problems were dealt with. Check with the seller about a warranty (after the 3rd year, Smittybilt mentions that up to 50 percent of the replacement costs/original price is covered).
The Superwinch LP10000 is a single-line pull winch with roller fairhead and a handheld remote. Its 12-volt weather-sealed motor produces 5.1 hp and has a pull rating of 10,000 lb. It's backed by a weather-sealed solenoid and circuit breaker. It has a planetary gear train, and a wire steel wire rope (3/8" x 85'). A heavy-duty latched hook with thimble is also included.
Entry-level but feature-rich
It's an entry-level winch, but it doesn't skimp on features. For instance, it has a remote with a 12-foot cable for safe operation. It also has a free spooling clutch that allows manual drawing of rope. To further the safety, it comes equipped with automatic load-holding and mechanical braking to ensure there's no slippage in the case of a power failure. Both the solenoid and motor are weather-resistant, and the entire setup is backed by a 2-year limited warranty.
As an entry-level solution, the Superwinch offers a good amount of features without a heavy increase in prices. Users are happy with the way it works, but like in the case of other entry-level ones, some have experienced quality issues.
The Rough Country Electric winch comes with a load capacity of 9500 lb, has a synthetic cable, a 12-feet wired remote, and is backed by a reassuring warranty (1 year for the electrical components and 2 years for the mechanical ones). It's also IP67 rated, which gives it a good amount of resistance for both dust and water.
Automatic in-drum braking
The winch is powered by a 5.5 hp motor that has a 3-stage planetary gear. It also comes with features like automatic in-drum braking and sliding-gear riding clutch. The wired remote has a 12-feet-long cable. And the actual synthetic cable attached to the winch is 3/8-inch x 85 feet. Also included in the package are Clevis Hook and Hawse Fairlead.
This is a solid winch, with comparable features (with others in the price range), overall good quality, and a synthetic cable. The installation isn't difficult, and users have also appreciated what it offers for pricing that's very similar to some steel-cable winches.
You may wonder why someone would get this winch when you can pick up any three of the winches on our list for a fraction of the Warn's price. But there's a reason why every person who's had experience in driving off-road vehicles and using winches will recommend a certain brand called Warn. But don't worry, it's not only the brand name that you're paying for. The Warn winches are so good and reliable that you wouldn't mind paying a little extra.
The model we have here is the Zeon 10-S, which means it can hold up to 10,000 lbs and comes equipped with a synthetic cable. It's also got an aluminum hawse fairlead, large aluminum winch drum, and a convertible control pack. The latter allows for various winch mounting options. The winch is also IP68 rated, comes with a planetary gear train and a 12-feet wired remote. The winch is backed by a limited lifetime warranty and has a wide service network as well.
If you're looking at buying a winch and using it regularly in the long run, it's hard to go wrong with a brand like Warn. The users like the way it performs and looks, and even the ease of installation - placing the synthetic rope can be slightly difficult, mentions a user.
What is the best winch for Jeep?
There are a few things that you need to keep in mind while selecting a winch. The mounting point has to be strong, so you'll need either an aftermarket bumper or one that supports the winch. Since we've covered battery-driven winches, you'll also need to check if the onboard battery can handle powering the winch.
If you keep the price aside, it's hard to look beyond the . It's got the right features, backed by a big brand name, and even an IP68 dust and weather resistance rating. But it's nearly three times as expensive as some of the other models. Keeping the price in mind, the is a solid choice - it gets a wireless remote and synthetic cable as well. The Rough Country isn't too far behind, either. The Superwinch brings features like auto-hold and in-drum braking whereas the Smittybilt combo proves to be another cost-effective choice. These two, bear in mind, have steel ropes.
