Thoughts on the Badlands winch

[TxJeeper75]

Has anyone used the Badlands winch from Harbor Freight? I like the price compared to similar models but am hesitant because of past experiences with some HF items. Should I spend the few hundred bucks extra on a more reputable brand? Or is it dependable enough. This is an important recovery item, but these days, I'm all about saving as many dollars as I can.

 

[JacksonRL]

Has anyone used the Badlands winch from Harbor Freight? I like the price compared to similar models but am hesitant because of past experiences with some HF items. Should I spend the few hundred bucks extra on a more reputable brand? Or is it dependable enough. This is an important recovery item, but these days, I'm all about saving as many dollars as I can.

Not personally, but my pop has one on his TJ (12k#) and it’s been working great.

 

[RJ Howell]

A friends one as well. He went with a 5K unit which I thought was rather small. He said "Still better than 6 guys pushing!" 2 years old and only used to pull down trees so far..

I personally don't have one. My tracboards have been all I've needed so far. If I did buy one, I do like my friend did and buy a smaller version.

 

[Speric]

I've had one for just over a year. I've used it several times and it's held up fine for my uses. It seems really well made and I really like the wireless remote.

 

[05EXCURSION]

Really good winches if you hard mount them and not use there reciver hitch mount mount bends way to easy under side load. Other wise winch is amazing

 

[Maul Crawler]

I have the Badlands 12k with synthetic rope on my JK. I love it! I used it most recently to pull out a 1/2 Chevy that was buried to the frame in mud, had to tie the jeep off to a tree, and it never hesitated.

 

[Walkers]

I have a 12k unit on my trailer. It works okay, the solenoid pack failed and I had to find a replacement. I wouldn’t use the wireless remote because it has a delay in it that I do not like.

 

[Ubiety]

Has anyone used the Badlands winch from Harbor Freight? I like the price compared to similar models but am hesitant because of past experiences with some HF items. Should I spend the few hundred bucks extra on a more reputable brand? Or is it dependable enough. This is an important recovery item, but these days, I'm all about saving as many dollars as I can.

HF does have some questionable stuff and does have some gems. I like the Utah based offroad recovery YouTube channels (Matt's, TrailMater, etc.) and they are all using the Badlands winches. To me that says something. Good luck with your decision!

 

[TxJeeper75]

Has anyone used the Badlands winch from Harbor Freight? I like the price compared to similar models but am hesitant because of past experiences with some HF items. Should I spend the few hundred bucks extra on a more reputable brand? Or is it dependable enough. This is an important recovery item, but these days, I'm all about saving as many dollars as I can.

HF does have some questionable stuff and does have some gems. I like the Utah based offroad recovery YouTube channels (Matt's, TrailMater, etc.) and they are all using the Badlands winches. To me that says something. Good luck with your decision!

I recently watched MORR latest video, and when I saw him putting one on the big wrecker, I said the same thing.

 

[Ubiety]

I recently watched MORR latest video, and when I saw him putting one on the big wrecker, I said the same thing.

I think Rory (TrailMater) is putting them on his new wrecker and Casey LaDelle out of Bend OR runs them as well. With the offroad recovery folks running them you know that they are not pure garbage.

 

[GunRunnersActual]

My buddy is running the Badlands Apex 12k on his GX. He’s used it several times with no issues. It had no problem pulling my Tundra from a mud hole where I had sank to my frame