T-max winches.

[Alra]

Hi all,

I'm in the market for a winch to go on my new 110 wagon. I have been pointed in the direction of a T-max 9000 with the synthetic rope.

It is not my intention to ever drive into a situation knowing that I am going to need a winch to get out. Actually, quite the opposite. I'll be stoked if I never have to pull it out except for a bit of maintenance to make sure it is still runs.

The purpose of the winch will be a safety net for when the family and I are on a single vehicle trip and get into a spot of bother. The roads up here in north west Qld can sometimes be a bit lonely.

I realise that a Warn xd9000 is optimal, but trying to be a bit scroogey, plus the weight saving in the synthetic rope is appealing.

Cheers,

Danial.

[Loubrey]

Danial,

The T-Max's had very good write ups in the UK as "occasional" winches. The main thing would be maintenance and an "often enough" runout and wind in to ensure all's good. Cabling (electrics) might need some UV protection.

Just remember that synthetic rope fits on Warn winches as well...
(just joking... understand the budget would be the bigger consideration and the inclusion of the rope does make for a good buy)

Cheers,

Lou

[Alra]

Thanks Lou,

I'm not totally off the idea of an xd9000. I have one on my work car and have had to use it a few times. The peace of mind it gives is comforting. Will wait and see what the finances are like at the time of purchase. Hopefully the Minister for War and Finance is in a good mood that day.

Cheers,

Danial.

[Tombie]

Check out Mako.... Excellent quality winch...

And when you need a winch, you really want it to work...


Having said that, the worst winch I had was a 9500XP Warn, Failed and motor full of rust - had been fitted to car for 5 days and rained on only when the rust was spotted (we stripped it down for a Winch Test article a mate wrote)

Had a Tmax 12000 integrated - great winch, solid and powerful.

Now have a Premier, which is same manufacturer as Mako...
Tough reliable winch, better pull than the Warn - even though rated the same... And good sealing, has been dunked a few times and still looks clean when pulled down for servicing.

They are the most neglected item you will fit, make sure its a good one

[clubagreenie]

Not all warns (or all winches for that matter) are rated for use with synthetic due to the location of the brake. Yet I still see them being sold with it.

[Alra]

Hi Guys,

I have been doing a bit more research on the winches available out there. One concern about winches that seems universal across all brands is sealing them for when they get dunked.

What is the story with trying to seal a winch against mud, water etc? My work car is fitted with a Warn winch but I have no idea if it has had some after market sealing to assist with maintenance.

I'm starting to lean towards spending the extra coin and getting a Warn purely for past proven ability.

In my experience, giving the car a bit a dip every now and again is unavoidable when exploring this beautiful land. I don't go looking for water to cross. Sometimes it just has to be done to get where you want to go.

Is it a case of stripping the winch after every times it gets wet or muddy? Or slapping some silicone sealant around the control box?

Cheers,

Danial.

[Tombie]

More to it unfortunately!!!

My winches used to have breathers fitted!

[Alra]

Are you able to elaborate any further?

Danial.

[redrovertdi]

In my opinion only- save your money for the warn, i picked up a used xd9000 for $450 or $500, stripped it right down just to be sure befor fitting about 3 years ago, to many horror stories with the cheapie chinese copies and i watched my mates "ridge ryder" go bang on its 2nd ever pull[destroyed its gear set]. This isnt to say that warns dont have problems but its normally down to a poor earth rather than gear failure. The ridge ryder was replaced with an xd9000. With out starting an arguement- "this is just my opinion!"
Richard

[Tombie]

In my opinion only- save your money for the warn, i picked up a used xd9000 for $450 or $500, stripped it right down just to be sure befor fitting about 3 years ago, to many horror stories with the cheapie chinese copies and i watched my mates "ridge ryder" go bang on its 2nd ever pull[destroyed its gear set]. This isnt to say that warns dont have problems but its normally down to a poor earth rather than gear failure. The ridge ryder was replaced with an xd9000. With out starting an arguement- "this is just my opinion!"
Richard

Mako and Premier arent copies or knock offs...

External Brake design, can safely spool synthetic rope in and out (no heat issues) and easier and more positive spool lock.

XD9000 vs Premier = Premier any day... And I own both...

Premier is the stronger, more powerful unit as well, even though its rated the same... Pulls quicker and harder.

Agree the el cheapo units are questionable, both metalurgically and electrically - but the Mako and Prem are solid units and well engineered.

Warn sell based on reputation more than capability - Kinda like Toyota