Harbor Freight winch
#2992779
12/07/21 12:37 AM
12/07/21 12:37 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,249 fredericksburg,va
cudaman1969
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,249
fredericksburg,va
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Looking at their winch’s for my trailer, has anyone bought one and how reliable is it? I know Warn is top shelf but pricy. I looked at Tractor Supply but they don’t have a remote for the 5000 pound one but HF does. TS is 9000 and up for remote. Any input will help a lot.
Last edited by cudaman1969; 12/07/21 12:37 AM.
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Re: Harbor Freight winch
[Re: fastmark]
#2992803
12/07/21 08:44 AM
12/07/21 08:44 AM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,672 Wichita
GY3
master
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master
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,672
Wichita
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I bought the 12,000 lbs. one from HF about 6 years ago for my open trailer. I mounted it to a plate that lets me put it into a receiver hitch receptcle. I was all over the U.S. picking up cars for a couple of guys for about 3 years and used it at least a couple of times a week every week. It never failed. Not once and I put it through Hell! I pulled on cars with all 4 wheel locked and it got the job done! The best accessory you can buy with it is the wireless remote. It lets you be anywhere while pulling the car onto the trailer. I do keep it in my truck toolbox out of the weather when not in use so that helps with longevity. Needless to say, I'm a big fan.
'63 Dodge 330 11.19 @ 121 mph Pump gas, n/a, through the mufflers on street tires with 3.54's. 3,600 lbs. 10.01 @ 133mph with a 250 shot of nitrous an a splash of race gas. 1.36 60 ft. 3,700 lbs.
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Re: Harbor Freight winch
[Re: cudaman1969]
#2992837
12/07/21 11:25 AM
12/07/21 11:25 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,540 Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart
Rhinotruck
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Rhinotruck
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,540
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
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I have used several, have a 12K to pull cars up the ramp in my building, the brake is not very good and will let the vehicle roll back down the steep incline. The remotes are nice until you lose them, HF does not like to replace them and the winch is useless with out it. I have been using a Champion 4500 with remote for yeas now, works great!
The funny thing about science is that if you change one miniscule parameter you change the entire outcome to the way you want it.
JB Rhinehart, Realist
A-Body's RULE!
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Re: Harbor Freight winch
[Re: TC@HP2]
#2992908
12/07/21 02:54 PM
12/07/21 02:54 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,596 Shopping @ HoBo Fright
340SIX
Doc Flappergas's Evil Twin
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Doc Flappergas's Evil Twin
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,596
Shopping @ HoBo Fright
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I joined the site in 1997 when I bought my 1st computer. I asked the same thing. What winch to buy with remote Carl who was not at the time posted to get the one with big [censored]. I did buy a Super Winch and it is still fine.
Last edited by 340SIX; 12/07/21 02:55 PM.
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Re: Harbor Freight winch
[Re: 340SIX]
#2992929
12/07/21 04:09 PM
12/07/21 04:09 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,921 Richmond, Indiana
19swinger70
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,921
Richmond, Indiana
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I have the 9,000lb on my 18' car trailer. Works flawlessly. No complaints.
1970 340 swinger. sublime 1967 barracuda fastback BB 55 Plymouth Project
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Re: Harbor Freight winch
[Re: cudaman1969]
#2992968
12/07/21 06:16 PM
12/07/21 06:16 PM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,672 Wichita
GY3
master
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master
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,672
Wichita
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Great answers, I was looking at the rope type too, TS 12,000 is $600 The same HF is $400. I was going to use a trailer hitch to use in both trailer and hitch on truck or any other place I need it. Another question, do you use a separate battery or come off the trucks bat.? If separate Will it charge from the truck alternator? I always used a separate battery and attached marine style terminals to the ends of the cables on the winch for quick disconnect.
'63 Dodge 330 11.19 @ 121 mph Pump gas, n/a, through the mufflers on street tires with 3.54's. 3,600 lbs. 10.01 @ 133mph with a 250 shot of nitrous an a splash of race gas. 1.36 60 ft. 3,700 lbs.
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Re: Harbor Freight winch
[Re: GY3]
#2993037
12/07/21 09:00 PM
12/07/21 09:00 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,555 Freeport IL USA
poorboy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,555
Freeport IL USA
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Its been years, but the 1st winch I bought was a 3500lbs Superwinch. It worked great for around 10 years before one day it stripped the teeth off the planetary gears. The next winch was a 12,000 lbs warren electric winch. it was a brute, as long as it wasn't below freezing. It didn't work below 32 degrees very well at all. The last winch I bought was a 5,000lbs HF winch. It did not have the power the Superwinch 3500lbs winch had, but it was still working when I sold the trailer about 6 years later.
If I were buying now, I would get a bigger capacity winch then you ever expect to need.
Then at least keep it covered when not in use. If the power cord is at least 10' long, its workable, shorter then that can be a pain. be sure the plug in places on the winch housing are kept clean and dry, or problems occur in a few years. The remote switches seem to work pretty well if you keep track of them and protect them from the elements.
I have a friend that lets me borrow his trailer if I need one. He doesn't take care of his winch very well, and even though its only a few years old, every time you need the winch it doesn't seem to work very well. He keeps the trailer up just slightly little better then he takes care of the winch. I have to deal with trailer lights every time I want to borrow the trailer, which may be 1 time a year over the last 3-4 years. I'd rent a trailer rather then borrow his, if there was any place around here you could do that.
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