Superwinch or Warn which is better?

[mn_mxz]

I just picked up our 2012 Sportsman 500ho yesterday and I need to get a which for it. I'm debating on the Superwinch LT3000 or a Warn RT25. Does any one have any opinions on which one to get? I have a Warn on my 2001 Sportsman but, it has been about 11 years since I last looked at winches. Thanks.

[JimAndros]

You get what you pay for.....

As a Cat dealer, we only install OEM Cat (made by Warn) winches on Cats and Warn for aftermarket on other brands. I would rather loose a sale than sell something that will cause me long term customer dissatisfaction. If the customer doesn't want to pay for Warn quality, then he needs to shop elsewhere.

Jim

[Administrator]

I would do a Warn too. Unless you want to be looking at winches again in the near future. I went the cheap route for the winch to lift the blade on the ATV in the winter and the first one lasted 2 seasons, the next just one. The Warn is still going strong.

More expensive up front, but cheaper in the long run. Plus, a winch is not really something you want crapping out on you when you need it!

-John

[mn_mxz]

Thanks for the feedback. I was thinking that a Warn would be the way to go but I was not sure about Superwinch. I just saw on Cabela's website that they have a Cabelas branded Warn on sale for $200, it appears to be a RT25, so I may to that route.

-Scott

[srt20]

Dont just limit yourself to those 2 brands. Do some research. Warn winches arent as great as they used to be, but the price hasnt gone down to reflect that. Check into Motoalliance for winches. They are in MN, and use Viper brand winches. Viper winches are made in the same country that Warn is made. And it aint the USA. I have a Viper Max on my RZR, and Im not saying its the be all end all of winches, but its been good and the quality is about the same as a Warn. It is much less expensive than Warn. Plus the dealer is right there in MN if you were to have an issue.

[cuzzinolaf]

I'm toying with the idea of replacing my winch on my ATV just because. It is the stock Polaris 2500lb winch. Like Johns said, it isn't something I want failing on me when I need it. I have bought a lot of parts from a local (to me) ATV store who does a lot of online sales and the guy (Thor) is very honest and tests everything he sells.

Here are the winches on his website.

http://www.theatvsuperstore.com/ATV-Winch-s/6.htm

[Noodles]

The Viper winch has been good to me also.

[fatdaddy]

I also have the viper winch, and so does my co worker, I beleive it paid $175.00 for a 3000lb with steel cable, I might go with the newer graphite rope now. either way I've been happy

[Administrator]

I just came from the shop and saw that the box from one of the winches that crapped out on me was for a Viper, both were Vipers actually. The winch really gets a work out plowing. Up and down several dozen times per plow and in an average season, probably 3-4 times per week. So perhaps for less rigorous use, they are just fine as being reported, but can for sure say both of mine crapped out on me quickly, while the Warn is still going (knock on wood!).

I can also say that the Viper and the Warns were nearly identical looking from the outside, even the relay and toggle switch. The only difference I could see from the outside was the mechanism that lock or lets the spool run free. So looks like one is copying the other.

Oh, and both Vipers started to rust out in spots, while the Warn does not have any rust. Not trying to start any kind of argument, just reporting my experience. I did love the Vipers when they were working though! Just got fed up with them crapping out and leaving me without a way to lift my plow while in the middle of a snow clear.

-John

[boatingbent]

KFI Winches are great http://www.kfiproducts.com/?gclid=CP...FQVoKgod8yuNzg

[mn_mxz]

Well after looking at the winches, I ended up getting the Cabela's branded Warn RT25. I ordered a KFI mount and now I just need to get it installed. Thanks for all the feedback!

-Scott

[fatdaddy]

John,

I would agree with your statement, even though I have not had any problems with mine, i simply purchased it in case i needed it. Just like any tool, if your going to use it all the time spend the money, if you just need it for a few times you can get away with something less. you do have to be careful with that thinking as well, because you can overspend on a product that you might think is top notch only to find out products that are half the price are just as good. Most Sled/atv OEMs don't make a lot of their add on's like polaris or arctic, they buy winches from anothr source. They do however demand a high quality product that is tested and proven to work.