Help me choose a winch!

[Hopeless Diamond]

Thanks again yarden. You have been very helpful. And, I hope you never have an issue with your radiator. The issue may have been fixed by 2010. Our mechanic said it was a bugger to install.

It's an ongoing problem, there's some belief the problem is caused by too much flexing and the mounts on the side of the radiator cause the plastic tanks to leak at the connection to the core. Still continues through the next model range..2011+. I had mine changed to a Mishimoto at ~49k (2012), my business partner had his changed (2013) via warranty at ~22k. Just be prepared for it to happen, get a Mishimoto and don't look back.

 

[yarden]

It's an ongoing problem, there's some belief the problem is caused by too much flexing and the mounts on the side of the radiator cause the plastic tanks to leak at the connection to the core. Still continues through the next model range..2011+. I had mine changed to a Mishimoto at ~49k (2012), my business partner had his changed (2013) via warranty at ~22k. Just be prepared for it to happen, get a Mishimoto and don't look back.

Will do, thanks for letting me know.

And seeNik, you are totally welcome!

By the way in regards to this thread... got my Ranch Hand and my Superwinch Talon installed yesterday. My build thread with pictures is in sig. Great winch!

 

[Box Rocket]

I got here late. You should have taken a close look at the ComeUp winches. For me I'd take the ComeUp over any winch from Superwinch, or anything else for that matter except for Warn. IMO Warn premium models and Comeup are the top tier in terms of winches right now. After that, the Warn VR series and Superwinch are at a lower tier. The bottom of the barrel are the Smittybuilt, Badlands, and Milemarkers. One guys opinion, but this is what I've found from my experience and research.

 

[MOguy]

A little late but here is my take on it: If you want to have the same winch for a while I would go Warn. Even though they have a series made in China and possible other parts in their other winches made in China, and who knows where else, and even a Warn Plant in Mexico that makes Warn product you should be able to count on the parts for their winches to continue to be available.

There are a few "brands" of Chinese winch that may work for a while but how available will the parts be 10 years from now? Even if they are still making them who knows what name they will be under and how possible it would be to track a part down even if it exist.

 

[yarden]

I got here late. You should have taken a close look at the ComeUp winches. For me I'd take the ComeUp over any winch from Superwinch, or anything else for that matter except for Warn. IMO Warn premium models and Comeup are the top tier in terms of winches right now. After that, the Warn VR series and Superwinch are at a lower tier. The bottom of the barrel are the Smittybuilt, Badlands, and Milemarkers. One guys opinion, but this is what I've found from my experience and research.

You cannot compare the WARN "VR series" to "Superwinch" as a whole. In fact, in all honesty, and yes, being subjective to what is out there, I don't think Superwinch even has a full size offroad model that is on that lower tier level of the VR when compared side by side. One would say it's supposed to be the Tigershark but compared to the VR, it's a night and day better unit. The VR is only marginally better than the "bottom of the barrel" models you mention.

Superwinch has been manufacturing winches since 1970 and the founders backgrounds are nothing to snuff at. I would say they are the most innovative winch manufacturer on the market today.

Anyway, I am not a rep for Superwinch, just an owner and user who has done a ton of research and tried to get my hands on as many as possible.

Comeup, higher-end Warn, and Superwinch are "where it's at". You won't go wrong with any of them.

 

[Box Rocket]

You cannot compare the WARN "VR series" to "Superwinch" as a whole. In fact, in all honesty, and yes, being subjective to what is out there, I don't think Superwinch even has a full size offroad model that is on that lower tier level of the VR when compared side by side. One would say it's supposed to be the Tigershark but compared to the VR, it's a night and day better unit. The VR is only marginally better than the lower tier models you mention.

Superwinch has been manufacturing winches since 1970 and the founders backgrounds are nothing to snuff at. I would say they are the most innovative winch manufacturer on the market today.

Anyway, I am not a rep for Superwinch, just an owner and user who has done a ton of research and tried to get my hands on as many as possible.

Comeup, higher-end Warn, and Superwinch are "where it's at". You won't go wrong with any of them.

I wasn't implying that they are equal, but the Superwinch and Warn VRs along with a few others are still on a tier below Warn premium and COMEUP in my opinion. There is a range within that lower tier so yes Superwinch Tigershark may be at the upper end of that range while the VR is at the lower end.
.
I would love to do more side by side comparisons for myself but alas, I don't have the resources to do that with a number of different brands.

 

[MOguy]

I wasn't implying that they are equal, but the Superwinch and Warn VRs along with a few others are still on a tier below Warn premium and COMEUP in my opinion. There is a range within that lower tier so yes Superwinch Tigershark may be at the upper end of that range while the VR is at the lower end.
.
I would love to do more side by side comparisons for myself but alas, I don't have the resources to do that with a number of different brands.

Buying a Warn, I would assume Super Winch, maybe Ramsey I would feel more confident that years down the line if my winch needs parts they are more likely to be available then if you bought one of the new to market brands.

 

[Box Rocket]

Buying a Warn, I would assume Super Winch, maybe Ramsey I would feel more confident that years down the line if my winch needs parts they are more likely to be available then if you bought one of the new to market brands.

It's hard to argue that point, but at the same time would contend that Superwinch and Ramsey could be risky as well when it comes to long term support in the future. What I can say about the COMEUP is that I was in Moab during the Jeep Safari a couple weeks ago manning the vendor display for Tepui Tents. While I was there, Ben Huang the president/CEO of COMEUP came over to chat with me since he'd heard I'd just ordered a new COMEUP winch. I was able to talk with him for a good 45 min or so and I came away feeling very confident that COMEUP will be around for a long time. So I feel confident that support down the road will be there. The quality of the COMEUP winches is clear when you see them and the ability to completely submerse them and run them underwater if needed speaks to the quality of the seals etc. Personally I'm not planning to need to run my winch underwater much but when you look at the quality of winches, many of the issues with certain brands comes from issues resulting from water ingress and contacts and other parts becoming corroded from moisture. The quality seals in the COMEUP winches should result in a winch that will have excellent durability and longevity to begin with and not require a lot of support for parts etc down the road.
.
The other piece to that puzzle beyond keeping moisture out is quality internal components. COMEUP is providing that too so I anticipate excellent reliability which IMO is paramount when buying a winch.

 

[MOguy]

It's hard to argue that point, but at the same time would contend that Superwinch and Ramsey could be risky as well when it comes to long term support in the future. What I can say about the COMEUP is that I was in Moab during the Jeep Safari a couple weeks ago manning the vendor display for Tepui Tents. While I was there, Ben Huang the president/CEO of COMEUP came over to chat with me since he'd heard I'd just ordered a new COMEUP winch. I was able to talk with him for a good 45 min or so and I came away feeling very confident that COMEUP will be around for a long time. So I feel confident that support down the road will be there. The quality of the COMEUP winches is clear when you see them and the ability to completely submerse them and run them underwater if needed speaks to the quality of the seals etc. Personally I'm not planning to need to run my winch underwater much but when you look at the quality of winches, many of the issues with certain brands comes from issues resulting from water ingress and contacts and other parts becoming corroded from moisture. The quality seals in the COMEUP winches should result in a winch that will have excellent durability and longevity to begin with and not require a lot of support for parts etc down the road.
.
The other piece to that puzzle beyond keeping moisture out is quality internal components. COMEUP is providing that too so I anticipate excellent reliability which IMO is paramount when buying a winch.

I work in testing and development for new equipment. There nothing that could satisfy me about a product or company that could happen in 45 minutes.

 

[Box Rocket]

I work in testing and development for new equipment. There nothing that could satisfy me about a product or company that could happen in 45 minutes.

Haha. Ok. I'm not here to satisfy you. You clearly have your mind made up regarding the products you're willing to run. I have no problem with that. However, there are others who may be looking at this thread who are considering options other than Warn, Superwinch or Ramsey. Obviously it is impossible for me to come away from a 45 min conversation with iron-clad proof of anything. But I still consider myself a pretty good judge of character and of quality and that can happen in less than 45 min. All I said was that I came away from the conversation feeling very confident that COMEUP is doing things the right way and are determined to provide the best winches on the market and confident in my decision to use a COMEUP winch on my own stuff. That doesn't mean it's the one and only right decision for every single person.

 

[MOguy]

Haha. Ok. I'm not here to satisfy you. You clearly have your mind made up regarding the products you're willing to run. I have no problem with that. However, there are others who may be looking at this thread who are considering options other than Warn, Superwinch or Ramsey. Obviously it is impossible for me to come away from a 45 min conversation with iron-clad proof of anything. But I still consider myself a pretty good judge of character and of quality and that can happen in less than 45 min. All I said was that I came away from the conversation feeling very confident that COMEUP is doing things the right way and are determined to provide the best winches on the market and confident in my decision to use a COMEUP winch on my own stuff. That doesn't mean it's the one and only right decision for every single person.

I agree with you. I would consider price point or reputation, The comeup winch don't fit into either category. I maybe a great winch.

 

[Box Rocket]

In terms of price point....The COMEUP is in line with quality Warns. Makes sense since they are each others primary competition. Reputation.....can't say much at this point. Warn has been around a long time, they have that going for them. COMEUP is a relatively new company so there's no way they will have the long-term reputation that Warn will. Doesn't mean they should be disregarded. I know you're not interested in a COMEUP but even if it's just curiosity, do a little poking around and see what you can find about the reputation of COMEUP from people with actual experience with them. You'll find it's pretty universally excellent. For a young company, the reputation is trending the right direction. That reputation will only grow as more people become aware of them and start using them.

 

[MOguy]

In terms of price point....The COMEUP is in line with quality Warns. Makes sense since they are each others primary competition. Reputation.....can't say much at this point. Warn has been around a long time, they have that going for them. COMEUP is a relatively new company so there's no way they will have the long-term reputation that Warn will. Doesn't mean they should be disregarded. I know you're not interested in a COMEUP but even if it's just curiosity, do a little poking around and see what you can find about the reputation of COMEUP from people with actual experience with them. You'll find it's pretty universally excellent. For a young company, the reputation is trending the right direction. That reputation will only grow as more people become aware of them and start using them.

A Tundra weighs about 4K. Warn has an 8000lb winch for $400, If that is enough of a winch I would think that winch is on price and teh Warn reputation.
http://www.warn.com/blog/2011/04/17/the_new_warn_winches_starting_at_399_after_rebate.shtml

 

[Box Rocket]

ok, not exactly what I'd call a "premium" warn, and that price is AFTER a rebate. The 8274-50 is more what I'm comparing to in that load capacity which is in line price-wise. Regardless, we're splitting hairs now, and like I said, I know your mind is already made up. Not worth the argument.
.
Also, you must have that rare balsa-wood Tundra if it weighs 4k pounds. The real numbers are 5,500 for a regular cab and 6,600 for double cab. but who's counting?

 

[MOguy]

ok, not exactly what I'd call a "premium" warn, and that price is AFTER a rebate. The 8274-50 is more what I'm comparing to in that load capacity which is in line price-wise. Regardless, we're splitting hairs now, and like I said, I know your mind is already made up. Not worth the argument.
.
Also, you must have that rare balsa-wood Tundra if it weighs 4k pounds. The real numbers are 5,500 for a regular cab and 6,600 for double cab. but who's counting?

The Warn VR is a Chinese made lower cost product. I am not saying it is a top performer but it comes in on the price point side of thing with the Warn warrantee. Form what I can read Comeup is form Taiwan for a reputable winch manufacture that has been around for 37 years and has repair facilities in the US. I can't get their web page to work so I can't find out what their warranty is.


Hopefully they are a great winch and give Warn a run for the money. Competition is good. I am just a cautious person when it comes to this sort of thing. Years back I had an issue with Warn, sent them the bad part they sent me back a new one within a couple days, no charge and no questions asked. I like that. Things go down, to include Warn winches. Warn seems quick to fix problems.


If Warn keeps that up with their lower end series that will be good for somebody looking for a lower end winch. If Comeup winches are better than Warn that will only push Warn to make a better one and vice versa, either way the consumer wins.


I got the tundra weight info from Weikapedia.