which winch?

Hi everyone,
I've decided to get a winch-on a budget.
I had pretty much setteld on a harbor frieght/ central electric 8000# winch that is on sale at the store in Toledo for $249.99. I even stopped in and looked one over on monday as had taken my wife shopping in Toledo . It looked very much lie a Mile Marker winch right down to the controller. It looks to be worth the money.
So I,m telling my friend about this winch at work last night and he says that he knows a guy how has a winch that he may sell. Turns out that I know also this guy . I checked out his winch this morning.
Its a Ramsey 6000# , has a roller fairlead,controller and cover.
It is weathered as it was on his jeep 3 years and has been in his garage for the past 4 years. It works ok.He wants 300.00 for it,which seems fair but I,m wondering if a 6000# winch is big enough for my 3000# jeep? :?
Can you guys give me a heads up.
Thanks Ken

 

Standard is 1 1/2 times the loaded weight of you vehicle, so the 6,000# should be fine. I'd choose the Ramsey over the Harbour Freight model any day, as long as in good workable shape. With the roller fair lead, cover, etc. that is a very good deal IMHO. Nickmil.

 

Nick's probably right about choosing the Ramsey. I have the Harbor Freight winch and have not had any problems with it so far.

 

I'd go for the Ramsey over the harbor any day.

I have a 9000 lbs Ramsey one on my CJ-7 and I love it. But I have 35" tires on it and it weiighs much more than my little 5 does. even then the 9000 is more than I really need.

The 6000 lbs is more than enough for the CJ-5. If you need more pull you can always get a sntach block to double the line giving you 12000 pounds of pull. Besides I doubt your going to need it very often. I've only used my winch to pull other people out. Never myself. It sure does look cool on the front of the jeep!

I noticed Harbor is making a 6000 lbs winch now too. Tehy seem to be copies of the ramseys or mile marker winches.

Those of you who have the harbor 8000 how do you like it so far? And does it come with the mounting channel? I'm thinking of getting one to put on my girlfriends XJ.

 

I've been told, but haven't confirmed it, that the HF winch is the same as a Mile Marker.

When faced with this decision though, I went with a used WARN Belleview. You might also consider the 8000 lb Thor that is in our for sale section. Good deal for $150 IIRC.

Warn also makes a "value line" winch called the Magnum. Seems to be reasonably priced. If I had to do this again, that would have been my choice.

 

I can't seem to find that Thor winch in the 4-sale section. :?

 

got mine @ www.ramsey.com in the "reconditioned" section.

 

Bruce,

I looked for it too. I think it got autopruned.

 

Me I would not buy a H/F winch.
The guys that went to Windrock a few months back will know why.
One of the 5s that was with us smoked his the 1st time. The cable also came off the spool, seems like it wasn't fatened at all.
Buy the Ramsey.

 

My dilemma is either a used winch (Warn 8724 from Herm) or new tires (BFG 32X11.50) or a MIG (Lincoln 3200) with all the trimmings or a BDS suspension or new receiver (onkyo <400W) for the house or a bigger TV (15" way too small) for the garage or new cranks for the bike (new Shimano Saints) or textbooks for next year or something for the wife (Salsa Caballero frame.)
What were you guys talking about? Oh yeah winches. Go with the used Ramsey.
I better get back to studying.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...ory=6763&item=7924906050&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

 

If I ever feel the need for a winch (I'm sure it will happen) then I will either find a used Warn 8274 or buy a Magnum.

 

I've got the 5000# Ramsey REP.

It was on sale years ago at either Norther Hydraulics or Harbor Freight.

Based on what everyone else uses you wouldn't think a 5000# winch would be big enough.

However, I've had no problems. Even with a single line it will pull way more than I've ever needed. The hardest pulls have always been pulling out the other rigs - they're usually much heavier. Pulled a 15 passenger van out of a mud hole (long story) one time.

Get the pulley for side pulls and if you ever need to double up.

 

Thor went and got sold Saturday sorry.
Jeff

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=40764

Look at the H.P. and line speed of the Harbor freight. Good reasons not to get it.

Now look at the diff. with what Joel posted:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...ory=6763&item=7924906050&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

I would want a fast no load line speed for sure. But just the H.P. difference alone sheesh

 

I have a Pierce 8000 on mine. It works fine, but I think it poops out at 6000 or so. I have heard negative comments on the HF winches. Made in china.... price is right, but for something like that, I would go wit Warn, or the Ramsey.

 

Wow, thanks for all the input.
I picked up the Ramsey winch this morning. It's not shinny and new but hopfully it dosn't let me down. It has to be an improvement over the log chain and come a long that I have been useing!
I was going to wait until winter to build new bumpers but may have to step that up now cause I'm really wanting this winch mounted on the jeep.(did I mention I' also building a new garage and its also harvest season) I may have to hold off awhile.
Winter Jeep projects
body mounts, saginaw steering, front powerlock, f&r gears, bumpers&nerf bars&tire carrier. Come on winter!