I'm winch shopping. The Warn X8000i seems to be a good match, and I've seen it as low as $657, within buget.

I had been considering a 9500 version....but was wondering if I was just thinking in terms of the biggest that would fit, rather than what I actually need.

I searched for "Winch"....got about 75 hits...none addressed the question of adequate pulling power.

Has anyone been unable to free a stuck X with their winch due to a lack of power?

- Thanks!

I got mine XD9000i for around $500 used. I've also been stuck before where my winch did nothing but smoke. I'd go as big as you can fit.

A rule of thumb is 1.5 times the vehicle weight, which is 6k pounds. That's for a flat pull (level ground) though and one rarely gets stuck on level ground. Like Steve said, the biggest you can fit and afford.

Aren't some of the aftermarket bumpers such as Calmini and ARB only rated up to a 9000 pound winch (or something in that range)?

I have the M8000 so I wasn't too concerned about the limit when I bought mine.

And remember that a snatch block is your friend.

1.5 times the loaded vehicle weight, so 6000 mighty not be enough hence the M-8000. There are a lot of other factors such as how much cable is on the drum. A snatch block helps in this situation two fold. First it multiplies the pulling power you provide, and second it forces you to pay out more cable thus increasing the power you start with.

I believe the ARB is maxed out at 9000, Calmini at 9500, and I'm not sure on the Schrock.

Keep in mind that mods drive the weight up. I've actually weighed my truck will a normal load for offroading and camping. 5400lbs x 1.5 gives me 8100 lbs. I don't consider the 8000lb winches sufficient.

While not a hoist...I think an 8K winch could pick an X straight up, let alone pull it along flat ground.

I am more concerned with the drag created by tire sucking mud making it harder to pull along the flat ground than to even lift it straight up, or a steep ledge acting as a giant wheel chock, etc.

I am also concerned about the giant sucking sound created when I pay for the stupid thing, and the gas to push it around the 50 -60 K a year I drive...



So - Only one smoking failure?

I've made several very "heavy pulls" hard enough to start to bend the ARB, and have never felt the need for anymore power than my Warn 8000lb.

Does this mean you could get a lighter winch and just remember to always use a snatch block?
That way you could save on gas and weight while still having enough power with the snatch block to get out of trouble...or is this the wrong way to think about it?

Now I'm thinking about the Warn 9.5XP - Its a hair slower than the X8000i, only a bit heavier, and seems relatively indestructible. It will be on a Shrockworks bumper...so it should be OK.



I was considering the Mile Markers too, but all that plumbing work seemed like it would be one of those projects where it takes forever to get around to doing it.

The best price I saw for the 9.5XP was about $811, not that much more than the last best for the X8000i...So going bigger won't hurt so bad.

A snatch block halves your winch speed and halves the length of your cable. Speed is something you can survive without, but there may come a time that the only thing you can hook the winch too is more than half the cable length away and the snatch block won't be an option.

Wrong way to think about it......In a situation where line speed is not crucial and line length is accommodating, a snatchblock should be used to reduce the strain on the winch and to effectively increase your pulling capability with regards to pulley equations.

That being said....I would never recommend anything less than an 8000 lb. winch for an Xterra, and if a 9000 lb. or 9500 lb. winch is within your budget and works within your winch capable bumper configuration....or perhaps multi-mount, hitch receiver set-up....then go with one of those.

Brads right. There is a write up in this months 4wheeler magazine about this very thing. I know I plan to get one this year. Even if I have to wait a couple extra months I'll do it to get the 9500.
You never know when you'll have to winch a bigger vehicle up the hill just to clear the path.Brad can elaborate on that one.

jason

Extension lines are helpful in this case. I carry 100' extension and 80' on the drum. I also have a 30' yanker...Tree protector+shackle+yanker+shackle+extension+snatch block+drum= ~170lf. I hope like hell I don't have to do anything like that (again...), but it's good to have a couple hundred feet of line if you need it.

That'll be great having another winch on our runs.

After shopping around, I can get the Warn 9.5XP delivered to me for $810....I was able to get the Warn X8000i delivered for about $659...so, I'll save up the other buck-n-a half and suck it up.

The concensus is that the 8000 lb unit was probably OK for me alone, but, I might need to haul out a land rover or Jeep too.

This comes with 125' of line...I already have another 90' or so of straps...so I should be loaded for bear.

Any body think the above winch is a good choice?

Now you need to get Warn's accesory kit. It's got alot of good additions for the winch for a good price. And read up on winch operation and safe use. Winches are REALLY dangerous if you underestimate them. The first time you reel the line back in you'll realize how the winch won't even pause if it sucks your fingers into the fairlead.

Let's hope he DOESN'T realize that on the first run!

It won't be the first winch I've used...the first one was back in 1977 or so. Wasn't mine though, it was on a company rig used to get equipment out to the boonies and back.

So - I'll try to keep my finger count consistant, probably even read the manual.

and don't pull the line ALL the way out, leave about 2-3 wraps on the drum. right brad

Yep......

Im sure the more power the better, but I have only had a problem with my 9000 lb Warn winch once. I was basically stuck in quicksand like clay and was pulling myself out at a very awkward angle. Just today I helped this big ass loaded down f250 out of some deep sand he had really dug himself into. If you dont want to save up for the 9.5 id say go for the 9000

Too late.

I already started hiding my lunch money...

Another good and simetimes necessary use for a snatch block (I live to say snatch block) is to redirect your cable when pulling from a bad angle. For myself, with a wish list a mile long...locker, winch, bullbar, rear bumper, skids, lift, steering upgrade...the M8000 will have to fit the bill as it will be the only bill I can afford.