by Malcolm Woods
If you are planning to go on an overseas trip, one of the tools you must have at hand is a winch. You have to make sure that you get a good quality one and not just a cheap copy.
But there are so many models and brands available that it leaves the consumers confused about which model to buy. As the demand for good quality winches increases, more and more models and upgrades keep flooding the market, further increasing consumer confusion.
But of course, with a little research and expert advice, you find yourself making informed decisions and conscious choices about which type and model of the product (in these winches) to spend your cash on.
Two brands that dominate the market scene involving winches are Superwinch and Warn. Here we take a look at some of their products and compare them so that you could have a better idea of each brand and what each has to offer.
Contents
Down below, you will see the detailed head to head overview of multiple models or versions (whatever you like to call it) of the Superwinch and Warn winch.
| Superwinch LT3000ATV Winch | Warn Vantage 3000 Winch |
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Of the first pair of winches, we are comparing the Warn Vantage 3000 Winch and the Superwinch LT3000ATV. Both of these models offer very little regarding working power. Despite that, they are both high-quality winches whose current popularity made them worth mentioning here.
The Warn Vantage is a reliable workhorse equipped with cutting-edge technology that is guaranteed to get you out of those tight spots.
It offers top quality winching features that make it surprising how affordable it is. It is dependable, powerful for a winch of its class, lightweight, and very solid, both in look and in design.
The Warn Vantage comes equipped with a very powerful permanent magnet motor. You also get a corded remote, full sealing, a smooth planetary gear train, and an aircraft-grade wire rope.
With the Vantage-3000-S model, you get a lightweight synthetic rope. A 3000-pound pull rating makes it just the right one for a Side x Side ATV, and it has a corrosion-resistant finish. Additionally, you get a mechanical spring brake that makes it easier to control and thus more ergonomic.
The Superwinch LT3000ATV has a 3000-pound pull rating and is also used with ATVs. It is quiet and compact and is durable and versatile enough for all of your ATV applications. It comes equipped with a low amp permanent motor with a circuit breaker for protection.
The Superwinch LT3000ATV has a full-metal and rugged 3-stage planetary gear train, and a wire rope that is 50 feet long and durable.
The Warn M8000-S Winch and Superwinch LP8500 are both ideal for applications involving SUVs and lightweight trucks.
They are both very similar, but the Warn M8000-S has a higher horsepower capping at 4.8 but less pull rating at 8000 pounds. It has a 3-stage planetary gear train that can finish tasks very quickly thanks to the high pulling power.
The Warn M8000-S contains a 100-foot 5/16 inches wire rope, a free-spooling clutch, and a wired remote. Also included are a remote-control mount box, 72-inch leads that are color coated, and a weather-resistant pistol-grip remote control handle with a rubberized ergonomic design.
Both are suitable for 4×4 vehicles; the Superwinch LP8500 can also be used with RVs, trailers, and other similar sized vehicles. It is a great utility winch and is very easy to use.
Compared to the M8000-S, it has a higher pull raring, at 8000 pounds, although its motor is less power at 4.5 hp and its wire length also comes up short at 94 feet.
The similarities between the two winches include a 3-stage planetary gear strain a free-spooling clutch. You also get a 15-inch rubber handheld remote for use from a safe distance.
A heavy-duty latched hook with a thimble, a weather-sealed solenoid, and a mechanical load holding brake are a few features that functionally differentiate the Superwinch LP8500 from the Warn M8000-S.
Although the Superwinch LP8500 offers a higher pull power of 500 pounds, the other features that Warn M8000-S offer against what you get from the LP8500 make Warn model a better choice to have.
In our next comparison, we are looking at the Warn VR8000 Whinch with Superwinch LP8500, which we previously compared with the Warn M8000-S.
Like the previous Warn model, the Warn M8000-S, the Warn VR8000 also comes with a pull rating of 8000 pounds, which also makes it capable of working with trucks, SUVs, and in any 4WD vehicle in general.
What makes this one special is that it is the first of its kind, to be geared towards beginner level consumers who want the reliability you get with the Warn brand.
Smooth and reliable, the Warn VR8000 contains a 3-stage planetary gear train. It also includes a control pack and a unique brake design that gives you fantastic control.
The series motor gives you lots of power and speed, and you also get a 12 foot lead remote control and a 94 feet, 5/16" diameter wire rope.
This model has an alternative, the VR8000-S, which gives you the option of synthetic rope instead of the wire rope you get with the regular version.
All the features of the Superwinch LP8500 have been mentioned in the previous section, so not much needs to be elaborated here. As mentioned before, it is suitable for use with almost any 4WD vehicle, RVs, trailers, etc.
Its pull rating of 8500 stands firmly against the 8000 of the Warn VR8000, while the length of its steel wire rope is identical, clocking at 94 meters.
The Superwinch LP8500 is very feature-heavy with a free-spooling clutch, a circuit breaker, a heavy-duty latched hook with a thimble, a weather-sealed solenoid and a 15-foot rubber handheld remote that gives you the option of controlling the winch from a safe distance.
The free-spooling clutch comes with a function that allows you to disengage the motor instantly and pull out as much rope as you want.
Considering all the extra features on top of the extra 500 pounds of pulling power, the Superwinch LP8500 comes out on top when pitted against the Warn VR8000.
Finally, we look at the Warn ZEON 10-S Winch and the Superwinch Tiger Shark. These powerful winches are capable of handling almost any kind of situation and are suitable for overland rigs based on vehicles such as the Toyota 4Runner or Jeep Wrangler.
The Warn ZEON is a strong winch that is equipped with distinguishable features that make it stand as one of the next generation models of winches.
It features a durable satin-black finish made of cast aluminum, a muck-busting sealing, and a convertible pack that gives you the option to choose how you want to mount it.
It has an efficient 3-stage planetary gear train that will last for years and a powerful series-wound motor. An amazing pull rating of 10,000 pounds and contains a synthetic rope and roller fairlead. The aluminum winch drum is large yet lightweight, and it is designed to reduce the effects of rope wear.
The Superwinch Tiger Shark has also gained hype for its affordable price range and the amazing features you get for that price. It has a pull rating of 9500, which despite being lower than Warn ZEON, is still remarkable.
Some of its other notable features include durable aluminum housing, synthetic rope, weather-sealed solenoid, automatic brake design, and stainless-steel hardware.
It also houses a 3-stage planetary gear train like the Warn ZEON and a durable severe-duty exterior. Its weather-sealed motor of 5.2 horsepower provides protection from dust, snow, and rain, a feature not found in the Warn ZEON.
Another feature not found in the Warn ZEON is the free-spool lever attached to the motor that prevents debris from kick-starting your winch while you enjoy off-road adventures. Additionally, you also get a 12-inch rubber hand-held remote.
Taking all the factors and features into consideration, it is clear that the Warn ZEON comes out on top as it is more feature-heavy and has greater pulling capacity.
Before we dive into the product comparisons, let us look at the defining factors and features that you would consider and evaluate before you consider buying a winch.
It should be mentioned that you should also take into consideration your specific needs, i.e., the type of activities you would be participating in, and the situations you will keep finding yourself in.
Knowing the kinds is more than a must. Else, chances are high you won't even know which one you bought and whether it will serve your purpose or not. Below, you have the available types explained in brief.
These gears feature fast line speeds and are very reliable. A major drawback to these gears is their stability, or lack thereof, which makes them incapable of holding heavy loads that require a strong and functional brake system.
The worm gears are slower compared to the other gear types and are mostly used for industrial work. Despite that, they excel at moving loads vertically.
These are a hybrid, combining the features of the previous two types. They are lightweight and compact, and also come at an affordable price. Their only drawback is that they accumulate heat very easily.
The winch drum is the part of the winch that the cable wraps around. Pulling power is evaluated at the winch drum, with a bigger working diameter resulting in a lower pull rating.
This inverse relationship is because the pulling power is rated at the bottom layer of the cable where it wraps around the drum and not the top where the pull starts.
Remote-controlled winches have become common nowadays. It provides ease and convenience that you cannot get with a hand crank. Plus, it is safer as you are operating the winch from a distance.
If your winch does not come with remote control, you can simply choose to buy a universal remote that is compatible with it.
Which one should you pick? Cable or rope? If you choose cable, it will benefit you by giving you more durability, and it will last longer. Plus, the cable allows heat to be dissipated out of the internal brake drum, preventing overheating and is also more affordable.
On the flip side, cable is high maintenance, heavier and prone to developing kinks, rusts, and barbs. It is also harder to fix in the field.
Synthetic rope is made of polypropylene materials and is harder to break. Despite being similar in size to cable, it is stronger, lighter, and has lower maintenance requirements.
Additionally, it is prone to rust and easier to fix in the field. On the flipside, ropes don't dissipate heat and are prone to freezing or getting damaged by debris sunlight or UV rays. Extra protection is required for rope.
Related Article: Our Reviews of Top Quality Penetrating Oils
The Warn M8000-S Winch - Walmart, Etsy, Ebay
the Warn VR8000 Whinch - Walmart, Etsy, eBay
the Warn ZEON 10-S Winch - Walmart, Etsy, Ebay
the Superwinch Tiger Shark - Walmart, Etsy, eBay
When comparing two such heavyweights, it is hard to decide which one is better. Overall Warn does edge out, although by a thin margin.
They get the win based on their brand value and also the quality and consistency they have maintained over the years. Despite that, Superwinch didn't lose by a significant margin.
The variety in their products is top drawer, and it all comes at very consumer-friendly prices.
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About Malcolm Woods
Malcolm Woods is a blogger who enjoys writing about technology and solar power. He has a passion for learning new things, and loves to share his knowledge with others. Malcolm is also an advocate for sustainable living, and believes that everyone has a responsibility to do their part in preserving our planet.
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