Any winch ideas???

buster634 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-29-2010, 11:02 AM

I'm sure there are lots of opinions out there about what is the best winch. I have a 2009 Sportsman 500 EFI, and am looking for a winch. I would love to hear the pros & cons of different brands. I am looking at the Viper VX2500, and does anyone know anything about Runva winches? Any info would be great!! Not sure I want to shell out the big bucks for the Warn.

rRandel · #2 (**permalink**) 01-29-2010, 12:50 PM

i have only had warn winches and 4 of them total and have one break one time send it in and they fixed it for free and only charged shipping and the customer service was great, but i use my winch alot for plowing and lifting things using pulleies and they just come in handy for other things than pulling yourself out. i have never heard of those other brands i guess but if it was me id spend the money and get the best if you plan on using it alot just my$.02

**blueline15** · #3 (**permalink**) 01-29-2010, 01:02 PM

i dont really now anything about the other brand winches, all i have experience with is the warns as well. my take is when you need a winch to work, you really need it to work. sorry i cant offer more help

SNW629 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-30-2010, 05:30 AM

stay away from the ones made in china. my warn has never let me down. you get what you pay for when it comes to winches.

pondfishr · #5 (**permalink**) 01-30-2010, 10:01 PM

Gander Mountain has a great online deal for the Warn XT30 right now.

mnfatboy · #6 (**permalink**) 01-30-2010, 10:07 PM

If you enter gander15 in the promo code you can get an extra 15%. I just bought a XT25 for about $250 out the door.

pondfishr · #7 (**permalink**) 01-30-2010, 11:07 PM

I just priced the XT30 with the promo code came up at $339.00. I just paid $389.00 for the 3000MT 2 weeks ago and it included the warn tree strap, shackle, and the wired remote was thrown in for free. I believe the 3000MT includes the same winch and seals as the XT30 but does anyone know for sure? I should have waited but the 3000MT should be a good winch too. The wireless reliability of the XT30 could be an issue. I can see me getting ready to use a wireless remote in the ffield and the battery is dead or the transmitter / reciever has an issue.

mnfatboy · #8 (**permalink**) 01-30-2010, 11:33 PM

This is what I have been told by a couple different shops... The MT/RT/XT are all the same winch. The differences are in the packaging. The MT and RT are both spooled with steel cables; MT is a better buy as it comes with the tree kit. The XT is spooled with a synthetic rope and comes with a wireless remote. Hope this helps.

buster634 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-31-2010, 06:24 AM

Thanks Guys, it looks like the Gander Mountain Warn is the way to go!!

pondfishr · #10 (**permalink**) 01-31-2010, 07:19 AM

My MT came with the synthetic rope and not the wire cable I believe that is how they all are packaged. The MT does not normally come with any remote at all but it does include the tree kit and the mini rocker handlebar mount switch. I am glad to hear that I got the same core winch as the XT. There is a cosmetic difference in the color of the spool control endcap the XT is red and the MT is black. The seller that sold me mine told me up front the MT came with the wired remote and when it didn't he supplied one free of charge. Gander adds sales tax so you have to keep that in mind. I bought my MT from allterrainonline.com. No tax and free shiping. Robin was great to work with and he stood behind his commitment and product. It sounds like the decision is do you want the tree kit or the wireless remote control, the difference between the MT and XT models.