cheap winches?to be or not to be......

[bbarkz]

Hi Guys & Gals,
Just wondering if anyone has had any experience with those "cheaper winches" on ebay,Aldi etc ? They seem to be to be pretty cheap,maybe too cheap!Reliability from what ive been told could be an issue,also parts as well.If serviced regulary and used properly i cant see to many probs,especially if it is only going to be used on the odd occassion to retrieve a stuck Toyota or Patrol! Any info you guys could pass on would be really helpfull.
Cheers,bbarkz:confused:

[vnx205]

Have a look here
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-chat/104635-aldi-4wd-gear-any-good.html#post1247771
and several other threads on this topic.

[d2dave]

This is a topic that brings up a lot of controversy. My experience with cheap Chinese copies is this. You can be lucky. You might get something that lasts, the next person that buys the same thing gets a dud.

If you buy a cheap winch and have problems you might be lucky that it happens in warranty. This does not help if you are stuck in the bush badly bogged.

Now some people will say that they only use it occasionally so it should last but here is an experience I encounted a while ago. I had been wanting a nine inch grinder for a long time and then Bunnings had a GMC(complete rubbish) one on special for $150.

I thought that seeing as I won't use it that often it should be ok. I had it for three years and it had not had much use. It almost looked new when I was doing a small job of trimming some concrete when it sort of jamed and vibrated badly. It no longer worked and was beyond repair.

$150 down the drain.

Each to their own, but me personally I would not touch a Chinese winch.

Dave.

[THE BOOGER]

Strangly they sell 1000,s of these each time they have a sale so if sombody who bought one has had a bad experience we all want to know what happened some people who have bought them in the past have said they are ok we need to hear from those that bought and used them please:D

[Tank]

Strangly they sell 1000,s of these each time they have a sale so if sombody who bought one has had a bad experience we all want to know what happened some people who have bought them in the past have said they are ok we need to hear from those that bought and used them please:D
I bought one back in 2006 (256:1 ratio, 11mm cable), have only used it once in anger (see pics Pork Chop Hill) to stop myself from rolling over while I drove out of a hole that was turning me side on to the slope.
Every 3 months or so I runout the full length of cable and pull the Disco up a slope to keep it lubed up. Only modification was to weld in the collar that the gear change lever fits in and change the crappy chinese grease (more like wax) with a good quality grease (marine grade). I have had no problems and it works first time every time, I know it hasn't done much work, but if you intend using your winch a few times every time you go bush, then I would advise that you spend a couple of grand and purchase a Name brand.
But for occasional use I see no problem buying an Aldi (Chinese) winch, for around $400 you're way in front, Regards Frank.
P.S. Booger when you coming down this way again mate, Regards Frank.

[THE BOOGER]

asked the wife last night about a couple of days down there see doc next week will know more then but hopefully 2 or 3 weeks at the most:D

[Tank]

asked the wife last night about a couple of days down there see doc next week will know more then but hopefully 2 or 3 weeks at the most:D
See you then, Regards Frank.

[d2dave]

Have just finished reading a story in the Herald Sun's Cars Guide on the Great Wall Ute.

The story finishes with and I quote "Great wall already proves with its utes that plenty of people will gamble if the price is good enough"

The operative word here is GAMBLE. To me this is what you are doing when buying a cheap winch.

Dave.

[Didge]

Spose you could always go with a cheapy backed up with a Tirfor; hard work but it's slow and it'll get ya out of trouble unless the tides turning and your're right next to it :)

[Albert]

My work mate uses one, off ebay. He is happy with it for the odd use and says when it dies he will just buy another.
The only time I have used my winch is when I have NEEDED too! if it failed then I would be in deep trouble. If I only went out with mates it would be fine but if you go alone...... can you take the gamble?

[DT-P38]

I reckon its hard to get feedback on these things becase like most winches/recovery gear, sane people are aiming NOT to use them!!!

And I reckon most of the lucky few who will use them regularly will stay clear of these because they are reluctant to put themselves in a risk situation where they need it and its "out to lunch".

I just wish that Aldi would increase the warranty (to say 3 years) to cover whatever % of failures occur and make more people more inclined to have a go on these.

I am going to see if I can find one right now!!! Hope I haven't left it too late... and I hope it stays with me for lunch breaks if I do manage to get one!

[chunk]

Have just finished reading a story in the Herald Sun's Cars Guide on the Great Wall Ute.

The story finishes with and I quote "Great wall already proves with its utes that plenty of people will gamble if the price is good enough"

The operative word here is GAMBLE. To me this is what you are doing when buying a cheap winch.

Dave.

But isn't that what they say about Land rovers (buying one's a gamble) most things today are made in China even brand name products. I personally can't see the point of sticking a $4,000 winch on a bull bar to have sit there and only used once or twice a year. If I had a winch bar I would have bought an Aldi winch.

I have bought a lot of Aldi products, only ever had one problem and that was a dead pixal on a lcd tv took it back and exchanged no questions asked try doing that at hardly normal and watch roll out the 4 pixel rule.

[Hall]

Well I have a cheap ebay winch KEW is the letters on it.Had it for about 5 years now.Have used it a fair bit too and with some hard winching.Has been fine.Slow but fine.Only minor problem that would not get you stuck anywhere was the solenoids would stick once in a while.Had to press the control a few times to get it to winch.So got a decent solenoid set up and all is good now.Have witnessed a Aldi winch put through a heavy winching session.Pulled a well stuck 100 series Land cruiser out with out a issue.Sounded a bit growly and like mine a tad slow but did the job.
Cheers Hall

[DT-P38]

Well its all moot now for me anyway...

Went to 2 local(ish) stores and no stock. At the 2nd whilst enquiring bumped into what appeared to be a supervisor/area manager and she said they sold out state wide Friday or perhaps yesterday. Her opinion was that they would definetly be coming on again and to watch the Aldi web site (sounds like a good Aldi awareness booster!) if you want one. Which now I sought of do.

Although, the Tigerz11 one I have been looking at for around $800 has:

- 12,000lb capacity;
- Dyneema rope;
- Stated to be waterproof;
- Forward & reverse winching (winch down was something I wish I had on a recent trip);
- Is hoist rated (does this really mean anything?);
- has usual on winch controls, corded and wireless remote;
- at the moment includes a FREE tree trunk protector;
- Comes with a 3 year warranty.

Ultimately its double the cost, but seeing as I want to use it on detachable (haymen reece style) receiver mounts at front, rear and perhaps sides of both our families 4wd's I think its probably the go.

Sorry to hijack this thread (perhaps I should start another) but does anyone know anything about tigerz11 winch capability/reliabilty?

Any feedback appreciated.

Dave & the pig

[Signal1]

...Sorry to hijack this thread (perhaps I should start another) but does anyone know anything about tigerz11 winch capability/reliabilty? Any feedback appreciated.
Dave & the pig

Haven't had experience with a Tigerz winch but it rated very well in a recent 4WD Action torture test and Patrolapart in Lilydale sell them and sing their praises. Google some reviews and have a read. There are a few videos online as well.

Peter Phillips

[B92 8NW]

I have the Tigerz11. Bloody brilliant. Got it at Patrolapart in Lilydale and judging by their display stock, seriously modded Patrols and photos they perform well.

It's good in the way a Hyundai is good. It does what it needs to do perfectly well and reliably, but it lacks the feel and performance of a Mercedes. In this case, it sounds a bit noisy and whiney c/w my old Ramsey and when the controller is released, it sort of rolls to a stop rather a nice instant braking action...

The money I saved has been put away for my next 4x4...