A winch is a beneficial equipment to have in your vehicle compartment. Because as a driver, you will never be able to tell when accidents or emergencies can happen.
That is why it is very important to know that your winch is installed correctly and in case of emergencies, it will be ready to use. You can entrust it to the professional, but you can also do it yourself by following a detailed how-to guide for winch installation, which will explain each step in order to make sure that the installation is made correctly and securely.
That is even more important for off-road vehicles such as a Jeep. Stick around as we review the best winch for a jeep!
Last update on 2024-04-30 at 05:19 PST - Details
My Top 5 Picks Of Best Winch For Jeep
First on my list would be my pick for the best winch for jeeps. Smittybilt’s 9,500-pound winch certainly fits the bill, mostly thanks to its strength and reputation. For over 50 years, Smittybilt has been a reliable brand for jeep accessories to customers. This reputation certainly shows in their XRC winch.
One of the first things to focus on this heavy duty equipment is its horsepower. Built not only for jeeps, the 6.6 HP of this machine can take in all kinds of amphibious automobiles.
That means no matter how cumbersome or light your jeep is, this winch can get the job done without any glaring problem. It’s also completely waterproof, which is a standard for most winches to accommodate amphibians.
Installation is also one of the things it excels. Smittybilt recommends supplied wiring for their product. The great thing here is that all of the cables and requirements are in the kit. You’ll get convenience and power in one awesome winch!
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Superwinch’s LT3000ATV could’ve been atop our list as the best winch. After all, hundreds of reviews online have nothing but praises for this winch. So, how did the Smittybilt edge this powerhouse of a winch? Simply put, it’s just a matter of power in recovery.
Superwinch will have been the Editor’s pick if we’re talking about pulling non-Jeep vehicles such as lighter SUVs and ATVs. That’s because the Superwinch LT3000ATV is specifically designed to draw the largest ATVs and other light off-road vehicles.
While that may be the case, the LT3000ATV has surprisingly exceeded expectations. How so? Well, it’s safe to say that this “ATV winch” can pull Jeeps as well. Although not as quick and powerful as the Smittybilt, it gets the job done nonetheless.
The only case here is to check the model of your Jeep. If your Jeep rates around the 4,000-pound weight, it’s best to use a Smittybilt. However, Jeeps that weigh below that mark can be hauled by this efficient winch!
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Liteway enters my list as the budget pick because of its super affordable price that’s guaranteed to attract your wallet. Liteway’s 12 VDC winch is capable of pulling lighter Jeeps efficiently, for no more than 199 US dollars. The prices vary, but you can expect that this won’t go higher than that.
Despite its lower price, it does not disappoint regarding mechanism and strength. For one, Liteway boasts a 4-way roller fairlead that’s designed to bring the rope towards the drum carefully. Moreover, it also has a feature where you can control winching more efficiently through the brake layout.
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Smittybilt makes a second appearance on our list with its X20 waterproof winch. It’s my update pick because of its high-quality specs that go along with its hefty price. The price of the Smittybilt X20 ranges anywhere between 500 US dollars and above.
While that might seem pricey, it nonetheless retains the XRC’s capabilities. However, it’s a lot more powerful and has a longer shelf life. It’s perfect if you’re engaging in a lot of free driving with massive automobiles. Which means that this equipment is best suited for professionals or hobbyists that needs a lot of winching every week!
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Warn’s Vantage winch is my niche product for this list because it’s a specialist for pulling ATVs, light Jeeps, and SUVs in harsh terrains. Some of the products I reviewed here are excellent winches all-around. However, most of the winches are suitable for straight-line pulling.
Meaning, when the going gets tough, those winches can have a hard time recovering vehicles from awkward angles. Not to mention, a few others are not as easy to transport and setup. That is where Warn Vantage comes in. It’s the best winch for ultimate outdoor recovery.
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Mini Buying Guide: Things To Consider When Buying A Winch
Just as we mentioned earlier, the best winch for your vehicle must not only be good for one use. An excellent winch can withstand multiple uses and rough terrains. To find this miracle of a winch for you, here are some things you might want to consider when finding one:
Winch motor type
The first thing you might want to look into when buying a winch is its engine type. For winches, there are three main types of vehicle-mounted motors. These are the series wound, the permanent magnet and the hydraulic.
The series wound type of winch motor is usually ideal for heavy duty usage. If you need a winch motor that can withstand extreme weather conditions as well as frequent usages, then this type might be what you need.
On the other hand, the permanent magnet is only suitable for light to average usage. It is ideal for ATV winches. Also, this winch motor type is also generally cheaper compared to other types such as the series wound.
And lastly, is the hydraulic winch motor. Among the three categories, this might even pass as the heaviest duty. It is enough to withstand usages as long as a whole day. This type is usually the winch motor used for towing trucks and factory work.
Size
Another factor to look out for would be the size of the winch. It might be tempting to buy a big and powerful one, but then, is it going to fit in your vehicle compartment? Is the weight still within the capacity of your vehicle?
And, if you are in need of a winch that is easily portable, then this factor might also play an important part. That is the case if most of your work and usages will be outside the comforts of your office or home.
Rope used
If you’ve already been familiar with winches already before, you would know that there is always that difficult choice between opting for a steel cable or synthetic rope. It is important that you know how to weigh the pros and cons for both.
For quite a while now, steel cable has always been usual for winches. It is heavy duty and can do more than just tow a vehicle. It can even be used to move away from tree stumps, say for example, after a storm.
Also, you won’t have to worry about exposing it to the sun’s heat all the day since it is quite UV resistant. However, it is also much heavier than synthetic rope. With its texture, you’ll have to wear gloves on while using to avoid getting cut when it snaps.
And given its steel nature, it is prone to rust and corrosion due to time or when it wears and tear. So it is also important to check it and have it maintained now and then. On the other hand, the synthetic rope is the much lighter alternative.
That makes it a better option to store in your vehicle’s compartment. It can be a little less dangerous compared to steel cable when snapped. And it doesn’t keep that much energy compared to steel cables.
However, it needs a lot of maintenance and cleaning after usage. It can be damaged over time when exposed to UV rays and abrasions from sand, dirt, and other gritty particles as well as chemicals. You can get more information about winch by visiting winchmania.
Mounting and anchoring capacity
The last factor would be the anchoring function. Make sure to take note first of the weight capacity of the winch you're planning to buy. Is it enough for what you will be using the tool?
The mounting capacity is also something that you should consider. Winches with solenoid mounting have reduced footprint sizing while at the same time maintaining their pulling capacity.
However, note that there are two main types of solenoid mounting: the integrated and the kind of remote. Among the two, the mixed type is open more suited for extreme weather conditions and rugged terrains due to its mounting.
You can compare this to the control type which is just externally mounted.
Although these might not be everything you need to consider as there is still the warranty, the price, and other winch specifications, these are just some of the basics.
The Verdict
So that completes my list of the best winches for your Jeep. Remember, these are five different products that cater to different needs and preferences. The winner here will be none other than the Smittybilt XRC. However, you can always check the others depending on your circumstance.
For instance, if you’re not willing to go the extra mile, then the Liteway winch is a good alternative. That’s the case especially if you don’t use winches that much. If you found my article informative, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below! Thanks for reading and good luck!
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