If you’re the proud owner of an off-road truck, you already know that the winch is one first accessory you should mount. It’s the tool helping you push your vehicle to the limit and taking you out (literarily) out of a puddle.

Even if you’re not going to use the winch regularly, you should take good care of it and use it properly for expanding its lifespan.

Why take care of the winch?

When you’re not using the winch regularly, it’s rather easy to forget that you have it on the truck bumper. You shouldn’t have to use the winch that often, but it’s natural to forget about it when you only use it now and then.

Taking care of the winch isn’t complicated, and you shouldn’t skip the routine. Always give it a good look before you go out on your trails; you may never know when you need it the most.

What are the steps to follow when maintaining the winch?

It’s easier to list the steps you should follow for taking good care of the winch:

• Unroll the cable and clean the winch and the cable. Use some soap and water for eliminating mud or grease. You need to dry the rope off so that you reduce the risk of rusting. Take a good look at the cable and see if there are any kinks, frays, or broken fibers (in case of polyethylene winch ropes). It’s better to replace a line if it’s damaged in any way.
• Check the handles, the electrical connections, and the roller when the cable is unspooled. Should you notice any issues, address the problems asap.
• When you’re done, spool the dry cable slowly back up, so that the roller mechanism runs smoothly. Once the cable is spooled back up, the winch should be ready to go.

Always stay safe when using the winch!

Improper winching is a thing, and it may happen to you, especially when you’re not using the winch regularly. You should practice the correct use of the winch so that you get the best out of it and eliminate the risk for injuries as well.

Here are some tips to remember when using the winch:

• Wear leather gloves for protecting your hands, starting with the cables/straps for pulling the weight of the vehicle.
• Hook the cable hook onto tow points on the vehicle that is winched, while avoiding the weak point
• Place the truck from the one you’re recovering as far back as you can.
• Put a heavy blanket/tarp over the middle of the cable during the winching so that it doesn’t whip back and break. Stand away from the vehicle recover and work slowly

Before you go shopping…

Winches are helpful for off-road trucking issues, but you need to select the right model for your vehicle, while always following the safety recommendations. There’s still a risk for accidents, so you should always pay attention when using the winch!

TOP 5 12000 Lb. Winches

   1. ELITE Electric Heavy Duty Recovery Winch – 12,000 lbs

Don’t let the low price of LD12-ELITE Electric Heavy Duty Recovery Winch – 12,000 lbs fool you since the winch is a solid choice, despite its price.

The unit comes with a reversible motor which has a power rating of 6.0hp, 4,300 watts.  The series-wound engine ensures constant power thanks to the duty cycle and doesn’t heat up as magnet motors. It’s a reversible motor that you can wound out or in.

The elements of the three-stage planetary gear system are very well made, sustaining a smooth operation, with a low chance of wear and slippage.

The wireless remote control allows smooth operation from a distance, whereas the automatic braking locks rope to eliminate the risk of free spooling and slacking. You can use the lever on top for engaging/disengaging from the drum. Should you disconnect, the drum is going to free spool so that you can pull the rope without the motor. If engaged, the sliding ring gear clutch maintains the drum secured to the engine.

The unit also features an automatic braking system which blocks the rope in place for holding the load if the power isn’t used.

The 3/8in wire rope is 87ft. long and abrasion-resistant, taking the heavy-duty jobs for a reasonable amount of time.  The roller fairleads come with washers and c-clips for securing the rollers, whereas dowel-pin bearings and composite bushings smooth out the operation at extreme angles as well.

The handheld wired remote control comes with a 12′ cord for the smooth operation of the line-out/line-in controls from a distance. You can also use the wireless controller from a 75′ range.

Mounting the unit isn’t complicated, and you get everything you need for installation.

Pros

• It has a reversible motor that is powerful and gives constant power
• It comes with abrasion-resistant and robust wire rope
• It includes both handheld wired remote control and wireless controller
• It’s sturdy, tough, and durable.

Cons

• Make sure you got a big battery since the unit drains the battery out fast
• There is no instruction for the electrical connections

Beggars cannot be choosers, but, in this case, the winch is far from being just an affordable option, since it’s primarily a reliable, dependable, and durable choice for many.

   2. Smittybilt XRC Winch – 12000 lb.

If you’re looking for a waterproof winch, the Smittybilt 97412 XRC Winch – 12000 lb. Load Capacity is a reliable unit to keep in mind.

The unit is powered by a 6.6HP amphibious motor which delivers impressive torque. The rated line pull is 12,000 pounds, and the winch takes the excess use. However, the winch ranges from 9,500 to 17,500 pound, helping you out in most challenging situations. It’s a three-stage planetary for the unit, with an automatic in-drum brake and sliding ring gear as a clutch.

The unit comes with an impressive 500AMP solenoid and is entirely waterproof. You get Lifetime Mechanical warranty and a 5-year electrical warranty.

The 0.375 diameters of the cable and the 79ft length allow use in various situations. The drum has a 2.5in diameter.

The remote switch eases out the operation, and the magnet in control handle is highly useful. It’s a four-way roller fairlead for the winch, with a strong hook and reliable performance.

Pros

• It features a strong 6.6HP Amphibious motor
• It’s entirely waterproof
• It comes with 500 AMP solenoid
• It’s easy to operate and reliable

Cons

• Some find it challenging to attach electrical cables
• The design of the connector assembly could be better

Regardless of the minor issues, the unit is a reliable, dependable, and long-lasting that you shouldn’t skip when buying.

   3. Smittybilt X2O Waterproof Synthetic Rope Winch

If we would have to describe Smittybilt (98512) X2O Waterproof Synthetic Rope Winch with a couple of words, “amazing value for the price” would be it.

The unit comes with an entirely waterproof and impressive 500AMP solenoid. It’s powered by a 6.6HP amphibious motor and includes a three-stage Planetary gear system for consistent power.

The rated pull line is 12,000 lbs, and the gear ratio is 265:1. The synthetic rope is robust, whereas the wireless remote eases out the operation from a distance. We also need to notice the Dynamic Braking System, which is going to lower the drum temperature by 66%, which recommends it for use for all sorts of synthetic ropes.

The automatic out-of-drum brake gives you control over the power, whereas the sliding ring gear works excellent as a clutch.

The remote control has a soft rubber texture, feeling comfortable and beautiful in hand. The unit gives excellent speed and works even in freezing rain.

Once again, we should highlight that the unit is an excellent value for the money you’re paying.

Pros

• It features 500AMP solenoid
• The 6.6HP amphibious motor is strong
• The unit gives high and consistent power
• The synthetic rope is sturdy, and the remote is easy to operate

Cons

• The solenoid mount could be improved
• Should you ever lose the remote control, take a deep breath as it’s quite pricey

The winch ticks most boxes in terms of power, reliability, rugged, build, and price, so we see no reasons for which you shouldn’t give it a go.

   4. WARN 97035 VR12-S Winch

The WARN 97035 VR12-S Winch isn’t going to let you down as it boasts impressive power and durability, taking the excess use.

The unit features an original waterproof Albright contractor who replaces the solenoid, winning in terms of durability, reliability, and control. A reliable and effective series-wound motor powers it. The VR8 is going to provide quickest no-load line speed, with the VR8 coming with Warn warranty. You get a 7-year warranty for the electrical elements and lifetime warranty on the mechanical. The 12,000 lb. capacity recommends the winch for a three-quarter-ton and one-ton pickups and more massive rigs.

The convertible control pack may work as part of the winch for an upright profile, but you can also place it for in-bumper situations. Due to its low profile, the winch is going to fit and look great on most Jeeps, trucks, and SUVs. It has a one-piece tie plate which replaces tie rods for more power and rigidity.

You get fantastic control thanks to the great load-holding cone brake. The clutch lever has a new design, easing out the operation. Turning is a breeze, and the lever is easy to handle even when wearing gloves.

The build is sturdy, and the cast iron brace plate eliminated the tie rods from the current VR series, winning on structural rigidity, quiet operation, and appearance.

The winch gives zero failures, and it’s easy to install.

Pros

• It comes with a waterproof Albright contractor
• It includes a robust series-wound motor
• It runs smooth and quiet
• It’s always reliable and has a low profile

Cons

• It’s not the lightest winch out there
• The connector cables aren’t hidden

No matter the cons, for the incredible power, reliable performance, and overall value, the winch is always a wise buy.

   5. WARN 95960 ZEON Platinum 12-S

The more you’re willing to pay for your winch, the more you should expect in terms of performance and durability. The WARN 95960 ZEON Platinum 12-S comes with a price that may throw some off, but it sure deserves every single penny.

There’s a high-speed motor on the winch, with strong gears and heat-treated ring gear which ensures 20% faster line speed, durability, and performance.

The advanced wireless remote lets you control the winch-in/winch-out, and the free spool operations, without needing a manual clutch. The new remove ensures feedback on the vehicle battery charger and motor temperature.

The unit is entirely waterproof has an IP68 waterproof grade, keeping water and elements out.

The Spydura synthetic rope is sturdy and durable, and so it is the aluminum hawse fairlead. The large diameter drum lowers the risk for rope wear and dissipates the brake heat efficiently. The one-of-a-kind rope anchor system gives it more strength.

You obtain fantastic control while winching thanks to the automatic mechanical cone brake. The unit has a durable build with a robust aluminum structure and flat black powder-coated finish. The stainless steel fasteners expand the life span, and the winch presents corrosion resistance. It’s rated to 408 hours in reliable salt-spray tests.

The versatility is excellent with the convertible control pack allowing both upright and low-profile mounting.

Pros

• It’s twice as durable as previous models
• It’s waterproof and takes a beat
• It features 80ft. of Spydura Pro Synthetic Rope
• It’s very well made, reliable, and strong

Cons

• It’s not cheap
• It doesn’t come with instruction on the spooling

Regardless of the minor problems, the winch is one beast you shouldn’t miss out on when looking for a long-lasting and robust winch for your vehicle.

FAQs on 12,000 winches

Q: How do winches get the rating number?

A: Let’s take a winch rater at 6,000lbs. The manufacturer used a static load with one layer of wire rope around the drum. Every time you wrap a layer, you’re going to lose somewhere between 13 and 25% of the capacity of the winch. The more rope you have on the drum, the less pulling power you obtain. The précising of the winch capacity rating is essential too. You need to identify the curb weight of your vehicle (check the manual) and to add the importance of the gear. The GVW you obtain has to be multiplied by 1.5, rending you the minimum capacity you need for the winch.

Q: When can you use a 12,000 winch?

A: You can use a 12,000 winch on any vehicle below the 12,000lbs mark. It can be a trailer boat, as long as it matches all the other conditions.

Q: Do you need a warranty for your 12,000 winches?

A: Warranty states that the manufacturer stands by its product. Look for the respected manufacturers that provide warranty for the electrical elements (five-year warranty is a good option), and a lifetime warranty for the mechanical components. You may never know when you need to use the warranty.