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Having a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) brings fun and adventure to your life. But, sometimes these vehicles get stuck off-road, and you need to pull them out.
This is where a UTV winch enters the picture as it helps you pull your vehicle over the hurdles.
So, let’s see what a UTV winch is all about and how to choose one for you.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for UTV Winches
- OUR TOP PICK: Superwinch 1130220 LT3000ATV
- RUNNER-UP: Sinoking 8542122602
- BEST UTV WINCH FOR THE MONEY: ORCISH B07MPXZ32J
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Comparison Chart of the Best UTV Winches
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Why Do I Need a Winch on My UTV?
A UTV winch goes a long way in making things easier for you if you love off-road driving. It serves many other purposes as well. Here are some of the major perks that you enjoy getting a new winch for your UTV.
Overcoming Hurdles
While driving in rough terrain, UTVs can get stuck in muddy paths. They are sometimes also hard to drive over rocky surfaces, particularly when a big rock obstructs your way. And it is just impossible to push your UTV yourself over the obstacles no matter how much you sweat over it.
Having a winch on your UTV helps you anchor it on a sturdy surface and then climb over the hurdles.
Pulling Heavy Objects
Now, pulling heavy objects is something that you cannot do manually, especially if long-distance is involved. People in the timbre and furniture business need to drag heavy wood logs to places. A winch on their UTV can make it easier for them to transport these without having to spend extra energy.
Towing Other Vehicles
If you have a towing business, even then, you need a winch on your UTV. Having one will help you drag along dilapidated cars and that too, without any hassle.
What Makes a Winch Great For a UTV?
In order to make the most out of a UTV winch, you need to buy the right one. We understand that, so we have enlisted some of the aspects that every great winch has.
Load Tolerance
The foremost thing to see in a winch for UTV is the amount of load that it can bear without breakage. Since you are dealing with heavy UTV vehicles, you need something that can tolerate your vehicle's weight. However, if you are using it for dragging purposes, you can go for winches with lesser load capacity.
Mounting Plate
Another feature of great winches is a reliable mounting plate, as it has to support all of the load. The mounting plate should be able to withstand daily wear and weather damage well. It should also be such that it does not damage the front of your UTV. The best way about it is to choose a universal plate that goes with all the sizes and shapes of UTVs.
Type of Rope
The type of rope also affects the kind of experience that you have with a UTV winch. Metallic ropes are good for some UTVs, but synthetic ropes are generally preferred. They add less kinetic load to the vehicle, keeping things under control.
Installation Kit
An installation kit is also important as it makes it easy for the buyers to install a UTV winch. It should be simple and thoroughly equipped to help you set up the winch without any professional help.
Review of the Best UTV Winches
The market is swarming with UTV winches claiming to be the best ones. However, not all of them are reliable, so we have reviewed our favorite UTV winches for you.
Best Overall:
Superwinch 1130220 LT3000ATV
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers of this UTV winch came up with very positive feedback about its usage. They liked how it has an attached mounting plate that reduces the time used in assembling the components.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us with its handheld remote control, which helps in controlling the winch. It helps in spooling and unspooling the unit without having to manually exert an effort. But, you can do it manually as well if you feel the need.
Moreover, the winch has both mechanical and dynamic brakes that you can use according to your ease. There is also a four-inch fairlead roller, which is great for heavy-duty usage.
Also, it has a low amperage permanent magnet that does not drain your vehicle’s battery unnecessarily.
Bottom Line
All in all, it is an amazing winch for UTV, which goes perfectly for all modern users. It has both a dynamic and mechanical brake system, which helps in keeping things easy for the drivers. So, go for it and have fun on your off-road driving ventures.
Runner-up:
Sinoking 8542122602
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
People have taken quite fondly to this UTV winch by Sinoking. It has an aircraft-grade rope that they found to be very reliable. They liked both the strength of the rope and its size, which served them well. Buyers also appreciate this winch for its smooth surface, which does not damage their vehicle’s front at all.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It has gained our approval with its IP67 waterproof rating, which goes a long way when avoiding water damage. It protects the rope and makes sure there is no need to replace it frequently.
Furthermore, the winch can drag along a weight of 1361 kg, which is more than adequate for average users. Its planetary gear train has a three-stage operation that has simple controls and impressive functioning.
Also, there is an independent braking system that drivers can control from a distance too. It adds to the safety of the brakes and vehicle both.
Bottom Line
Keeping all this in view, this is a fully functional winch which serves its purpose well. The braking system and the three-stage planetary gear system are its major attractions. The price is quite affordable as well, so what else are you waiting for?
Best UTV Winch for the Money:
ORCISH B07MPXZ32J
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This UTV winch has left its mark on people with its multi-purpose construction. Buyers found it equally good for small and large vehicles as well as boats. They also like its sturdy frame, which does not give way when it is dealing with heavy loads.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It has stood out to us with the stainless steel hardware, which makes it highly durable. The stainless steel does not rust easily and has an inherent strength that winch users look for.
Moreover, there is a sealed permanent magnet in its motor that operates on a very low current. This helps UTV batteries to stay charged for a long while.
In addition, it has two remote control units, which means that you will have back-up even if you lose one. It can also be great for those who have to share a truck for their towing business.
Bottom Line
The bottom line on this winch is that it is surprisingly low priced for all the astounding features that it offers. Its lifetime technical support is a huge plus, too, and helps people trust the company more. So, it can be a great purchase both for its quality and price.
Best Warn UTV Winch:
WARN 96815 VR10-S
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
People are quite fond of this UTV winch by Warn as it has an effective braking system. It uses a cone brake that not only provides greater safety but also has a better fitting. The overall reviews were positive, and users recommended others to invest in it too.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The one-piece tie plate of this winch assembly makes it one of our favorites. It is a much safer option than two or multi-piece tie plates that can become loose easily. Since it has a single-piece tie plate, there is no need for tie rods or other accessories.
Moreover, the winch has a compact size at 25.5 x 13.75 x 8 inches only. It also has a better fitting on all kinds of UTVs because of its sleek design.
Lastly, it generates more power on consuming lesser current because of the series motor in it.
Bottom Line
Our final word on it is that it is a spectacular winch for UTV, which promises an easier braking experience. It does not take much time to spool or unspool, so it does not get stuck while you need it. Hence, it can be a great choice for those who are looking for a new winch.
Best Smittybilt UTV Winch:
Smittybilt 98510Y X2O Gen2
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Those who bought this winch for their UTVs lately found it to be quite useful. They loved its synthetic rope, which does not have any fall-outs. Customers recommend it also because of the high waterproof ratings that this winch has.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This winch grabs our attention with its 98.5-foot long rope that helps most UTV drivers. The rope has a synthetic base that minimizes any chance of splintering as it is tightly knit. Its motor is also great as it has 6.6-horsepower.
Besides, there is a line rating of 10,000 pounds, which is beyond the load requirements of average UTV owners. This winch also has a heavy-duty fairlead roller that helps in performing dragging tasks well.
So, it is a winch suitable for almost everyone who owns a UTV and needs winch support.
Bottom Line
To conclude, this is a remarkable UTV winch that is going to stay on your vehicle for a long time. The synthetic rope does not accumulate any kinetic load and is safe from all kinds of corrosion. So, if you invest in this winch once, you will not need any replacements of the rope for years.
Best Polaris UTV Winch:
Superwinch 1135220 Terra 35
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Superwinch has been a favorite of people for many years now. This UTV winch got the same response that most other winches by this company get. People loved both its frame and working, which is quite reliable.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It has succeeded in impressing us with its ergonomic design. It has a practical design that can work well in even rocky terrain. It also has machined-in bronze bearings that keep its frame small yet efficient.
To add to this, there is circuit breaker protection on the solenoid along with waterproofing. This prevents electrical circuits from most internal and external threats. Moreover, this winch weighs only 20 pounds, so there is no extra load on the front or back of your UTV. It is also easier to carry and install because of its small size and low weight.
Along with all this, there is a limited lifetime warranty on the winch, so there are the least possible chances of damage to it.
Bottom Line
To sum up, this is a powerful UTV winch that supports most vehicles and other loads. The lightweight construction helps in carrying it along easily. Its price is also quite amazing when you consider all the features. So, you can invest in it without any hesitation about the quality or ease of use.
Best Viper UTV Winch:
MotoAlliance VIPER MX4500-BK
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This UTV winch got a positive response from the masses with its all-metal construction. They found it heavy-duty with its superior construction. They also reported having a great time in dragging things along with this winch. The size also impressed the buyers.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It distinguishes itself from us with its zinc-plated hook, which protects it from rust. The hook is one of the most important components of a UTV winch after the mounting plate. So, if it stays protected, it will keep a firm grip on the carrying loads.
Moreover, there is a high waterproof rating that helps in keeping the solenoid and electrical circuits safe. Its motor is also a permanent magnet that runs on the energy of one horsepower only. The lifetime warranty on the winch and the six-month warranty on the rope makes it trustworthy too.
Bottom Line
Considering all the features, it is safe to say that it is the perfect UTV winch for people who have small UTVs. It has a load capacity of 2500 pounds, which works for small to medium loads. Thus, you should choose this one if you do not have heavy loads to be dragged. It will help you save both on money and space as it has a compact construction.
Best 4500 Lb. UTV Winch:
Champion 14560
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The Champion winch impressed quite a lot of customers with its design and working. It has a limited warranty of two years which the buyers love. They found its installation and spooling to be as well.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Simply put, this unit has primarily made it to our list of the best winches because of its load capacity of 4500 pounds. It is great for heavy-duty usage where larger loads are involved. The DC motor of this winch is also wonderful, with the requirement of 12 volts only.
Moreover, it has a 38-foot long galvanized cable, which avoids splintering your hands. The cable has aircraft-grade construction, making it a quick-to-spool and safe-to-use cable.
Other than this, it has a complete installation kit that does not leave you hurrying around for any tools.
Bottom Line
In our expert opinion, this is an incredible winch for UTV users today. It can withstand a load of 4500 pounds without any additional support. So, it would be quite fruitful if you choose to spend some money on this UTV winch.
What Size of Winch is Best For a UTV?
The size of a UTV winch makes a lot of difference when it comes to using it. It affects not only the performance of the winch but also the safety of your vehicle. This is why you have to be mindful of the size, weight, and load capacity of a winch for your UTV.
One of the best techniques to determine the right size is to multiply the weight of your UTV with 1.5. This will give you an estimate of the minimum load capacity that a winch needs to have. You can go for a bigger unit depending on your needs once you know the baseline size.
How to Install a Winch on a UTV
The installation of a winch on your UTV can be time-taking, but it is quite easy if you know the right steps. Here is the detailed installation procedure to make sure you do not make any mistakes while setting one up.
- Begin by laying out all the components of the installation kit and the winch.
- Then assemble the winch and fix it onto the mounting plate.
- Now position the winch on the UTV and secure the bolts in place.
- After this, connect it with the contacts of the UTVs battery to ensure an automatic spooling.
- Fix the contractor at the side and tighten all the screws in it.
- In the end, fix the circuit breaker inside the covering box and close the lid.
Here is a complete video of how to install a winch on UTV to help you even more.
Conclusion
Summing it all up, a UTV winch is a must for off-road drivers and towing business workers. It can help in dragging heavy objects and overcoming hurdles in your way. So, you should get a functional yet affordable winch to help you have better UTV usage.
