WARN 86245 VR8000 Winch Review

| Last Updated: October 20, 2022

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WARN has won worldwide recognition thanks to their winches for the SUVs, trucks and other vehicles. Their VR line will satisfy a wide range of requirements, for both amateurs and professional users. And in this article, we will review model VR8000 Winch.

WARN winches to undergo various rigorous tests in different international competitions, where their reliability and quality of production is confirmed.

This brand uses latest and most powerful technology to provide you with the best devices for affordable prices.

With winches from Warn you are always prepared for the unexpected situation on the roads, sand, mud and other terrains and surfaces.

WARN 86245 VR8000 8,000 lb Winch

PROS

  • Affordable
  • Quality details
  • Durable and Reliable
  • Easy to install and care of
  • Suit most of the trucks and SUVs
  • Will help you in the most difficult situations

CONS

  • Slow

Specifications

Brand: Warn

Name: VR8000 Winch

Motor: 12V DC, Series Wound

Electrical Controls: Solenoid

Remote Control: Remote switch, 12" (3.7m) Lead

Rated Line Pull: 8000 lbs. (3629 kgs)

Clutch (freespooling): Sliding Ring Gear

Brake: Automatic Direct Drive Cone

Geartrain: 3-Stage Planetary

Winch Dimensions: 20.80"L x 6.3"D x 6.97"H (528mm L x 160mm D x 177mm H)

Drum Diameter: 2.5"/9.0" (6.73cm/23cm)

Weight: 71.25 lbs. (32.3 kgs); Net product: 65.16 lbs. (29.5 kgs)

Rope: Steel - 94', 5/16" diameter (24.38m, 8mm diam.)

Recommended Battery: 650 CCA minimum for winching

Battery leads: 2 gauge, 72" (1.83m)

Gear ratio: 216:1

Fairlead: Roller

Other Features: Durable, smooth and reliable three-stage planetary geartrain / Removable control pack / 12 feet remote control / Will fit most trucks and SUVs.

What Cars Will WARN VR8000 Work With?

Among VR line produced by Warn, model VR8000 is the most affordable and will work for a wide range of trucks and SUVs.

Though the manufacturer claims that this winch can easily pull 8000 lbs., we still recommend choosing winch for the car that can carry the weight twice more than your car weighs.

So your vehicle should be lighter than 8000 pounds to experience all advantages of this equipment.

Attractive Features

Quality and Durability

As we have mentioned, winches from Warn are famous for their durability, reliability and quality materials. All details are developed and made by professionals. Many of the customers are satisfied with their purchase and recommend this device for people who decide which winch to buy.

Remote Control

This remote control features latest technologies to provide you with the convenient usage of the winch. It includes a rubberized handle that lies very comfortably in the hand. It will stand out any adventures as this remote control is water-, mud- and weather resistant.

Control Pack

The control pack is fully removable, so you can place it wherever it will suit to your car. The winch is controlled by 3-stage planetary gearing with line speeds up to 29′ per minute.

Steel Rope

This model is stuffed by steel rope that is proved to be easy in use and unpretentious in comparison with synthetic rope. So this variant is more suitable for beginners because such rope is really easy to clean after usage from mud, dust or whatever you have faced with. And steel rope makes this model more affordable because this material is cheaper and than a synthetic one. You only have to oil it with special machine oil for long service.


But such rope has one disadvantage because over time the steel fibers are damaged and steel burrs will appear and will cause at least discomfort when you are using the winch and such rope can injure your hands. To prevent this you’ll have to use special gloves.

User Experience

Pros: Cost, Warranty

Cons: Controller Connection

Recommended? Yes

"I got this winch for Christmas and promptly put it on my TJ. I pulled myself up a hill attached to the back of a truck to get the winch line nice and tight. Everything worked great, it's not the fastest winch out there, but it gets the job done. I winched for a little bit then gave it a rest, thinking that the motor would be hot. It was not hot in the slightest.

I recently gave this winch a real workout and it worked great. Wheeling in Gore VA in the snow was fun, but required a lot of winching. Probably pulled myself 10-12 times over the two days. 

Only time will tell if this winch will hold up as well as the rest of the Warn line."

Warn VR8000 Testing

Warn VR8000 on Dodge Dakota

Conclusion

So, in general, we can say that WARN VR8000 winch is a great purchase for beginners as well as for professional users. It has an affordable price, staffed with quality details and really easy to use and install in your car. This model is powerful enough to get you out from any kind of obstacles and you can safely continue your trip. Warn has proved its excellent reputation once again.

I used to work in construction and landscaping, so I've seen my fair share of ratchet straps, winches, and similar rigging gear. I started Winch Central because I've seen some nasty accidents due to crappy rigging or poor practice. I wanted to be able to recommend good equipment that's SAFE and also provide resources for how its used. I handle the research side of things here as well as product selection for gear reviews.