I have owned many different winches that have been abused in the alaska wilderness for the last 16 years. Places where you are 50 miles out from the road and still have another 200 miles to get back to town.
I think all electric winches are junk. All, I said it. I have owned a milemarker, many warn, ramsey, and a super winch. Every one of them has failed. Some not so bad, some leaving me stranded by myself having to walk back to the truck and taking over 30 hours to do so.
So far, the warranty on the warn has been the best. the latest one on my polaris ranger was fixed for no cost and it broke the case. It has a lifetime warranty on the case but not electric motor which usually fails over time. It still took two months to fix and to authorize. But still it was fixed at no cost.
I now always carry a come along. Just in case. Not fast at all, but I know it works.
Synthetic line is superior except in two situations. One of them was already posted which is the rocks. They will eat the rope. It will fray and will go bad over time. Key is to protect it. Number two is when pulling hard, that rope gets sucked so tight in between the strands on the drum, it is almost impossible to free spool the winch when pulling out. Thats downside. There are many more pros than cons.
If they ever made a hydraulic winch for an atv i would buy it in a heartbeat. Dont care if it weighed 30lbs more. They never fail.
I have three trucks with them on. One is over 15 years old and has always worked. Always. Never failed me once. No battery draw, no duty cycle to worry about, just have to have the motor running and people always tell me about this river crossing that they saw and truck was not running stuff. Never had that issue. Thats the excuse I always hear.
For electric winch on quad, look at the best warranty. It will fail you. You may be stranded too. But what will you have to pay to replace. more money isnt always better.
Hi, alaskakubota.
Thank you very much for a so good post, one of the best I ever read on these forums. I'll keep in mind your advices.