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Hf Apex Wench

Discussion in 'Winches' started by 60CJ5, May 28, 2020.

  1. May 28, 2020
    60CJ5

    60CJ5 Member

    Alabama
    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2003
    Messages:
    166
    Let me state first that I normally avoid HF for anything that are not a “one and done” or simple use (tarps, straps,…) items.

    However, I just bought the HF Apex wench for my son’s JL. At $400 for a 12K wench, I had to take a chance. Before I bought it, I went online expecting a ton of negative reviews. To my shock, I couldn’t find much if any negative reviews on this wench and most are positive. This is not just on the HF site. I was not expecting this. I did see a lot of negative reviews on the prior HF 12K model. Most the negatives on new Apex were based on personal opinion and not real actual user issues (ie I have never seen or used but I don't like it because it is not a [insert brand name]....) .

    Does anyone here have any real-world experience with this wench? Not trying to start the USA quality vs HF Chinese quality is worth the price difference debate. Just want to know if anyone has or has used this wench and what you thought. I trust the people here more than random posts on the web.

    I don’t expect that it will get much use as he doesn’t really off-road. However, it will come in handy around the property, during hunting season, and will keep me from having to help dig him out when he gets stupid with friends by trying to drive across a field that was under water 2 days earlier. In the end, I don’t have $1K+ to put into his Jeep and it will be nice to have a wench (if it works)..
     
  2. May 28, 2020
    durangotang

    durangotang Member 2022 Sponsor

    Not Western CO
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2010
    Messages:
    501
    Haven't heard anything bad about them outside of the lack of waterproofing on the controls. First thing I would do is open up the control box and start putting silicone on things. Other than that, they are good winches.
     
  3. May 28, 2020
    rejeep

    rejeep Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Rochester, NY
    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2009
    Messages:
    1,691
    Winch... it’s a winch

    a 12k lb wench would crush even the best of us
     
    GeoffreyL, termin8ed, 47v6 and 6 others like this.
  4. May 29, 2020
    jeeper50

    jeeper50 jeeps 'till I die

    Spanish Fort. AL
    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2007
    Messages:
    844
    Have him go to Choccolocco OHV park(or his favorite park) and try it out and post his review here.
     
  5. May 29, 2020
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2005
    Messages:
    1,998
    For your use I think it would be perfectly fine. The times when people want a bit more confidence in the quality of a winch are when theres a chance of a) being stuck in the middle of nowhere or b) when a failure of the winch could result in harm. Based on your use, I think a failure would be inconvenient but not life-threatening. Go for it!
     
  6. Jun 1, 2020
    60CJ5

    60CJ5 Member

    Alabama
    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2003
    Messages:
    166
    FedEx should be dropping it off today. he will get it this weekend and with the aftermarket front bumper he got for Christmas it should not take long to install. Will need to pull out the rope and spool it tight before he can use it but that will be the first "test"
     
  7. Jun 3, 2020
    BadGoat

    BadGoat How High Can You Climb?

    Northern Virginia
    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2017
    Messages:
    326
    Lots of people run HF winches and have no problem with them. Some buy them and they break the first outing. The ones that I've worked with have been slow and noisy, but pull as hard as a name brand winch.

    There are a few simple things you can do to help it survive.

    In fact, this is something anyone can do with a new or old winch to help it run longer. All of this shouldn't take more then an hour to do.

    1. Pull both ends off, clean out the lithium based grease that it probably came with and re-grease with a moly based lubricant. Don't over grease it, but this also helps make sure the factory didn't under grease it.
    2. Run a bead of silicone around the edge of the end covers when you put them back on.
    3. Make sure all of the bolts/screws are securely in place. These can be siliconed or lock-tighted where appropriate.
    4. Check all the electrical connections to make sure they are secure and of decent quality.
    5. Use some dielectric grease on the controller plug and any other exposed electrical connections (like the motor bolts) to help resist corrosion.
    6. Check the power cables to make sure they are sized appropriately for the expected draw of the winch. I've seen even some better regarded name brands under size the cables on their entry level winches to save costs.


    Mike
     
  8. Jun 6, 2020
    Muzikp

    Muzikp Active Member

    Sacramento Ca.
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2016
    Messages:
    1,450
    I installed a wench... it was ok but made a lot of noise over 30mph :rofl:

    [​IMG]

    Just kidding, looking forward to hearing the HF Apex review (y)
     
    Tom_Hartz and fyrmn like this.
  9. Jun 11, 2020
    boopiejones

    boopiejones I can’t drive 55

    California east bay
    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2020
    Messages:
    545
    When I was in the market for a winch for my JK back in 2013, I found a winch shootout online from some major 4 wheeling magazine (can’t recall which one). They tested a wide price range of winches. They ended up rating warn the highest (primarily based on looks, lol) although the warn literally imploded when stressed beyond capacity. That right there would be a deal killer for me.

    I ended up going with the Engo, which was one of the cheapest in the test. When stressed to capacity, it simply stopped pulling. but then immediately started pulling again when the weight was reduced.

    my guess is that a lot of the cheap winches are probably made in the same factory or are more or less clones of each other. I’m sure you’ll be happy with the HF winch.
     
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