If you drive a jeep, the possibility of finding yourself in situations where you need to pull vehicles or heavy loads is high. In these situations, a winch remains your best option. Winches make it easier to pull heavy loads and vehicles, without damaging your jeep or causing an accident.
However, it is not enough to have just any truck winch. You need a winch that works perfectly with your vehicle and handles your needs at all times. This is why you need to choose the best winch for Jeep specifically.
This guide reviews the best winch for a jeep, touching on its importance and the factors to consider before buying one.
You may also be interested in checking out my article on the best off road winch out there.
Here’s What We Cover
Why Would I Need A Winch On My Jeep?
There are many reasons why you might need a winch for your Jeep, especially if you are an offroader. Some of these reasons involve off-road uses, while others have to do with towing and pulling heavy objects. We explore some of these reasons in detail below;
✅ Help You Out of Sticky Situations
If you drive a Jeep, there is a high possibility that you will explore off-road terrains with the vehicle, and it is only a matter of time before you find yourself in sticky situations. In fact, there is a saying that an off-roader that does not get stuck is probably not doing it right.
When you get stuck with your jeep while off-roading, the winch is your best chance at getting your vehicle out without damaging it. The winch provides you with enough pulling capacity to drag your jeep out of the sticky situation, with or without the help of another vehicle.
✅ It is Safer
Recall we mentioned that the winch is your best option for getting out of a sticky situation. This is because it is not the only option. You can also use a tow strap to pull your vehicle out. The problem is that the tow strap yanks at the vehicle in the process of pulling it out. This is a violent process that involves lots of throttle and multiple pulls. It can cause damage to the jeep as well as the people around it in the event that it snaps.
With the winch, you get a controlled and measured pulling movement. This is safer and better suited for sticky situations than tow straps.
✅ Helps you Maneuver Hardcore Situations
You don’t only need a winch to pull you over in sticky situations. You can also use the winch to negotiate rocky parts and terrains such as huge climbs, drop-offs, big ledges, and stair steps when your gearing and suspension prove unhelpful.
The joy of off-roading is pushing your vehicle to new limits, overcoming obstacles, and negotiating difficult terrains. But there are situations where you find an obstacle too big to maneuver, and trying too hard may damage your jeep or cause an accident. In these situations, it helps to have a winch, as you will be able to pull through these obstacles without having to rely on your driving skills solely.
Having understood the need and importance of a Jeep winch, let us examine the factors to consider before choosing one.
Factors to Consider When Choosing The Best Winch For Jeep
Choosing the best winch for your jeep can be challenging, given the wide varieties and options you can choose from. This is why you need to look out for certain features and factors when making your choice. The following are some of the factors to consider when buying the best winch for a Jeep;
Weight Capacity
A jeep winch’s capacity refers to the load the winch can pull without breaking. This feature is the most important factor to consider when buying a winch for your jeep, as it determines how well the winch can carry out its function of pulling you out of sticky situations.
What size winch is best for Jeep? As a general rule, the higher the weight capacity of a winch, the better it is for pulling heavy objects. You should also bear in mind that the higher the winch capacity, the more expensive it is.
Cable Type
The cable or rope is an important winch component as it connects the winch to the vehicle or objects you need to pull. There are two types of winch cables: synthetic and steel.
The synthetic cable is made from synthetic materials, which makes it light and flexible. It is also durable and safer to use. On the other hand, the steel cable is made from steel, and this confers an impressive strength on the cable type. However, it is susceptible to rust and can cause serious injury if it snaps during use.
The ideal cable type for your winch depends on your preference, the conditions where you use the winch, as well as the type of load you pull. If you use your winch in wet conditions, you are better off with a synthetic cable, while a steel cable works well for heavy-duty purposes.
Motor Power
The power of a winch motor determines the ability of the winch to pull heavy loads comfortably. The higher the motor power, the higher the capacity of the winch. You can identify the winch’s motor power by checking the horsepower ratings.
You can also check the gear types to deduce the motor power. For instance, high-gear winches have high power and speed, while low-gear winches are the opposite.
Rope Length
As a general rule, the longer the winch cable, the better. Winches with long ropes or cables allow you to pull jeeps easily as long as the winch is equally powerful. Having said that, you should know that long winch cables increase the possibility of winch jamming. Thus, a rope length of about 100 feet is long enough for a good cable.
Winch Mounting Location
Based on mounting locations, there are usually two types of winches; the front mounted winches and rear-mounted winches. As the names suggest, the front-mounted winches are mounted in front of the vehicle, while the other types go behind the vehicle.
The factor is essential because it determines how well the winch works with the Jeep.
With this knowledge in mind, check out the best five winches and see how they work perfectly with your Jeep and meet your winching needs.
Best Winch for Jeep – The Top 5
To get the best out of your winch, you must choose one specifically built for jeeps. This is because winches for jeeps come with certain features and specifications that allow them to provide excellent performance when used with a jeep. Below are five of the best winches for jeeps;
1. Warn 87800 M8000-S Series Electric 12V Winch
Verdict: 🏆 Overall Best Winch for a Jeep
Going by brand names, WARN is arguably the most popular brand in manufacturing winches. The company holds a reputation for building high-quality winches that offer excellent performance. One of these winches is the Warn 87800 M8000-S Series Electric, 12V Winch.
Built for jeeps and other off-road vehicles, the Warn 87800 M8000-S Series Electric 12V Winch delivers up to 8000 lbs in pulling capacity, which is a lot for a jeep winch.
The winch is a battery-powered winch rated 12V and uses a synthetic cable that measures 100 feet. It also uses a series-wound high-speed motor that gives the winch strong pulls and fast line speeds.
- Pros:
- It uses a wireless remote control
- It works well in muddy conditions
- It uses a 3-stage planetary gear train to ensure its pulling functions are done as quickly and quietly as possible.
- Cons:
- It is a bit heavy as it weighs 55 lbs
2. Smittybilt 97495 XRC Gen2 Winch
Verdict: 🏆 Best Budget Winch for a Jeep
If you are on a budget and want the best Jeep winch possible, the Smittybilt 97495 XRC Gen2 Winch is the ideal option. The winch comes from a reputable brand and delivers the crucial features you expect from Smittybilt.
The Smittybilt 97495 XRC Gen2 Winch delivers 9500 lbs in pulling capacity and a 6.6 horsepower rating, which gives an idea of the winch’s power. It comes with a steel cable that measures 94 feet in length and a waterproof casing that makes it possible to use the winch in wet or muddy conditions.
- Pros:
- It is easy to use and install
- It is affordable
- It is waterproof
- Cons:
- It has no mounting plate
3. Warn Zeon 12 Platinum Winch
Verdict: 🏆 Best Winch for Jeep Wrangler and for Load Capacity
Sometimes, you need to go all out with your winch capacity, especially when you drive big jeep models such as the Jeep Wrangler. With this jeep model, you need more pulling capacity, which is precisely what the Warn Zeon 12 Platinum Winch provides.
With a pulling capacity of about 12000 lbs and a 4.6 hp motor power, the winch has enough juice to comfortably pull the Jeep Wrangler and other heavier jeep models like the Cherokee Jeep. It uses an automatic mechanical brake mechanism to ensure that its loads are firmly secured and pulled, no matter how heavy.
- Pros:
- It comes with a wireless remote control
- Provides an impressive heavy-duty pulling capacity
- It comes with a lifetime warranty
- Cons:
- It is very heavy
4. Smittybilt X20 GEN2
Verdict: 🏆 Best for Wet Conditions
If you live in a temperate region or the off-road terrains around you are usually wet, you are better off with a jeep winch that works excellently in wet conditions. Thus, we present to you the Smittybilt X20 GEN2.
This winch was explicitly built for jeep drivers that explore wet and muddy off-road terrains. It comes with a 15500 pulling capacity and a 6.6 HP amphibious motor. An amphibious motor is one that works perfectly in water without needing to worry about decay, rust, or mechanical fault. While it uses a steel cable, the winch comes with a rope sleeve that protects the winch cable from water and other factors that can cause rust. Most importantly, it has an IP68 rating, one of the highest ratings for waterproof equipment.
- Pros:
- It is waterproof
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- Uses a wireless remote control
- Cons:
- Its wireless remote control has a short operating range
5. Superwinch 1510200 LP10000 Winch
Verdict: 🏆 Honorable Mention
The fact that this winch is quite affordable and comes with essential features earned it a place on this list. The Superwinch 1510200 LP10000 Winch is an electric winch that fits perfectly for jeeps and other mid-sized off-road vehicles. Its pulling capacity is 10000 lbs, and it works with a 5.1 HP series-wound motor. It uses a steel cable that measures 85 feet in length and ⅜ inches in diameter.
Its handheld wired remote control allows you to operate the winch from a 12 feet distance. You also enjoy an automatic mechanical braking mechanism that ensures impressive load holding and pulling.
- Pros:
- It is lightweight and easy to use
- The motor is full-sealed, which is a form of protection for the winch
- Cons:
- Its remote controller is not wireless
How to Install a Winch On Your Jeep
Now that you have selected the best winch for Jeep, it is time to install it on your Jeep. Regardless of the size of your winch, the mounting process is simple and remains the same. Below are the simple steps involved in installing a winch on your Jeep;
- Get safety gear like gloves to protect your hands from injuries during installation. Check out our winch safety precautions guide for more information.
- Get a mounting plate, as the winch needs one to remain fixed to your jeep. There are different types of mounting plates for different jeep models, so you should choose an appropriate one for your jeep.
- Attach the mounting plate to your vehicle by bolting it to the location of the jeep where you want your winch installed.
- Bolt the winch onto the mounting plate through the available holes
- If the winch is battery-powered, wire it to the truck’s battery to start using it.
- Ensure you have a suitable winch bumper for your Jeep.
Check out this video for a more detailed explanation of how to mount a Jeep winch.
So What Is The Best Winch For Jeep?
You may not get the best out of your Jeep without the right winch. To choose the best winch for Jeep, consider the pulling capacity, motor power, cable type, mounting position, and cable length.
The winches reviewed in this article incorporated these features and are ranked the best winches for a Jeep. However, of these five, the Warn 87800 M8000-S Series Electric 12V Winch remains the best winch for Jeep.