Harbor freight winch?
- Thread starter JCW6
- Start date
Traveler I
My buddy has the 12k and its done great for him. It is really slow tho, but if that doesn't matter it's all good.
Member III
I’ve had a harbor freight 8k on my car trailer for about 7 years and never had a problem with it , also have a engo winch , it’s kinda slow and sounds like it’s gargling rocks around in it but has never stalled , my next winch will be a used 8274 warn
Enthusiast II
My Engo failed me without one use. I was testing it before a trip and spooled the line out. As it was reeling back in it got slower and slower and hotter and hotter until it was barely moving. Best we can figure after some disassembly was moisture intrusion. Guess they aren’t rain proof as it was never submerged.
How long ago was this? Was it a winch with the old style solenoids or the newer ones with the albright contactors?
Member III
S
ure you have good ground contact? You can never have to many ground connections . How’s your battery ? Electric motors overheating quickly are a lot of times cause from to much amperage draw and a bad ground can usually be the cause
Enthusiast II
I bought the winch two years ago. It was in the spring when I found the issue. Not sure about the contactors. The solenoid inside almost looks like a Ford starter solenoid.
I’ll double check the grounds. We pulled the motor off and cleaned all the rust/corrosion inside in hopes that was issue. I fully believe its a high amp draw causing the issue but not sure where? I did relocate the power box next to the winch due to it neing in the way with the hood closing. But it worked great originally.
Y’all if you are looking for inexpensive winches, look at the Superwinch Tiger Shark. It’s slow, but you will be hard pressed to find a story of one failing. Superwinch is endorsed by Bill Burke, basically everyone in the International 4Wheel Drive Trainers Association (“I4WDTA”), and Overland Experts.
https://superwinch.com/collections/superwinch-truck-jeep-and-suv-winches/products/superwinch-tiger-shark-series
Email with Black Friday deals takes another $110 off down to $249. I may buy one just to resell to noobs who bought Harbor Freight and Sh*ttyBuilt junk and are stuck on the trails.
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https://superwinch.com/collections/superwinch-truck-jeep-and-suv-winches/products/superwinch-tiger-shark-series
Email with Black Friday deals takes another $110 off down to $249. I may buy one just to resell to noobs who bought Harbor Freight and Sh*ttyBuilt junk and are stuck on the trails.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Member III
I have both a HF 12k, and a Warn Zeon 10s. The HF came with a Jeep I bought. So, far it works fine. I see lately you can pick it up for $200. My thoughts on a winch? If you are wheeling alone, better have the best winch you can afford. If you have other wheelers with you, you can go with a cheaper winch. Just remember, it cost a lot more than the price of a good winch if you break down along ways out, don't have help and have to get a tow truck to get your rig home, when a winch that did not quit working would have saved you! The synthetic line models are much easier and safer to use. You don't have the same kinetic energy with synthetic line as you do with steel cable, which if it breaks can really do some damage. Benz.
Then you have the older style. The Engo I got a couple of months ago has the Albright contactor style and the solenoid housing is actualy moisture resistant rated.
Benefactor
I'm a firm believer that any recovery gear purchased should be of the best quality.
For winches, my advice to anyone who has limited funds is to check craigslist for a used Warn. You may need to service the gears, or cleanup and paint the drum, but for the money, you're getting a much higher quality piece of kit. Get a couple gaskets and pull those gears apart. You'll have a better understanding of the inner workings of your gear, and know the state it's in.
The winch should be rated to 1.5x the GVWR of the vehicle. A solid mounting location with properly rated hardware (Grade 8) is a must. I'm also not sold on wireless controllers. That's just more stuff to drive up the cost of the winch, and to fail out in the field. If you go that route, you should still carry the wired controller anyway.
The most important aspect of owning a winch, is knowing how to properly and safely use it. Remember to engage your brain before the clutch!
For winches, my advice to anyone who has limited funds is to check craigslist for a used Warn. You may need to service the gears, or cleanup and paint the drum, but for the money, you're getting a much higher quality piece of kit. Get a couple gaskets and pull those gears apart. You'll have a better understanding of the inner workings of your gear, and know the state it's in.
The winch should be rated to 1.5x the GVWR of the vehicle. A solid mounting location with properly rated hardware (Grade 8) is a must. I'm also not sold on wireless controllers. That's just more stuff to drive up the cost of the winch, and to fail out in the field. If you go that route, you should still carry the wired controller anyway.
The most important aspect of owning a winch, is knowing how to properly and safely use it. Remember to engage your brain before the clutch!
Enthusiast I
I went the cheap route once back in 2001. I bought a Milemarker 9000lb. Never again!
I saved up and saved up and saved up and purchased Warn after that experiment. But I'm going to be honest and say my winches are a very expensive "feel good" device rather than something that gets used often but when it does get used...it better work, be safe and withstand the elements.
I saved up and saved up and saved up and purchased Warn after that experiment. But I'm going to be honest and say my winches are a very expensive "feel good" device rather than something that gets used often but when it does get used...it better work, be safe and withstand the elements.
Shameless plug I am selling a 2 year old Warn ZEON 8-S for $600. [emoji57]
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I have a Chicago Electric 8k with synthetic line on my Jeep that came from the previous owner. Does exactly what I ask of it, but kind of slowly. Love having multiple wireless remotes to run it.
Enthusiast III
Been using one for two years with no issues. Most of the recoveries have been of a 73 hp Kubota tractor I use for my bushhogging service. Ive also long-pulled my H2 out of a mudhole and probably exceeded the recommended duty cycle on that one. Still works great. For the price, I have no complaints.
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Builder II
- 6,283
- First Name
- Christopher
- Last Name
- Berkenbile
- Member #
-
3141
- Service Branch
- USMC
I will probably be purchasing a ComeUp winch for my needs, big, strong, nasty winches I hear. Going to check them out.
