Champion Winch

[after6queers]

I am looking at getting a winch this winter...I was looking at the Champion winch that they sell at Costco for less then $500.. Has anyone got one any issues? I am wondering if saving myself +$500 is worth the headache if there are any issues. A winch is only something you use once in awhile (hopefully ;P) so I do not want it to be broken when I actually need to use it.
Thanks for any and all advice.

[specialk]

I bought one 2 years back and blew out the clutch this year.  Mine always had a problem with the free spool clutch from day one.  Was very hard to turn the handle.  It did pull me out a number of times and I bought it on the premise that I would us it until it died, then buy a new one. (which I did but not another Champion). 

I believe Brink is bringing in some winches.  http://forum.calgaryjeep.com/index.php?topic=14442.0
I would go this route for the same price range.  I would also go with the synethic line. It is a real treat after a big day of winching.

[Bnine]

On average a warn will pay the difference in cost versus a champion or other knock brands within a few trail runs.

I've never seen an off brand winch make it more then a couple years if its used. I've seen them go as quickly as their first or second run.

Call northridge and put a m8 on your jeep for the 700$ they cost and forget about it. Down the road you can re sell it for close to what a champion cost new.

[AMCJeep]

I got 2 pulls out of my Champion 10K winch before it cratered. Lots of guys have good luck with them, however I was not one of them. I took it back to Costco and went over to Canadian Tire and bought a Superwinch LP8500 for $399 and never looked back. I've pulled its guts out and made it swim in mud, pulled a fullsize for 15 min straight and its still perfect a year later. Best $400 I ever spent. 

[w squared]

On average a warn will pay the difference in cost versus a champion or other knock brands within a few trail runs.

I've never seen an off brand winch make it more then a couple years if its used. I've seen them go as quickly as their first or second run.

Call northridge and put a m8 on your jeep for the 700$ they cost and forget about it. Down the road you can re sell it for close to what a champion cost new.

Or if you don't need it tomorrow, wait around a little bit and get a used Warn that's in reasonable shape for anywhere between 400 and 800 dollars, depending on model.

[JackstandJohnny]

the champion on my old ZJ had 5 pulls....... i dont' think it had another in it when i sold it................. (otherwise i'd have kept it)

[after6queers]

That is what I figured and I was leaning to spending the couple bucks extra and getting a Warn but I wanted to ask first...again thanks for all the help.
HI HO HI HO off too Northridge I go!!!

[Rodjock]

I really hesitate to say I'm on three years with mine, as lots of people have had such bad luck with them, but I have managed to use mine more than what everyone else on this thread seems to have gotten. I will say though, it's bloody slow. So I prefer to get tugged out when I can.

[tubby]

There are plenty of write-ups on Champion winches on different forums that are pages long. Some things to consider:

-How often do you need a winch? Are you that hardcore; that you need one one every trail run? People usually wheel in a group and there is always someone around to give you a tug with a strap(which is easier than spooling out a winch anyway)

-Maintenance. People forget that the winch is there and don't clean the connections or leave their winch packed with mud all the time. Get a cover on it so the elements don't rust it out.

I personally have not owned one; but there are people that swear by them, and try to destroy them on purpose. It's not the best one on the market; but it  suits the needs of the occasional wheeler just fine.

[hps4evr]

if you have time just keep an eye on the sales that come up. princess auto sells warn winches, and they throw them on sale every now and then. the m8000 is a wicked deal. ive seen them in action and they work great. i have the xd9000, its worked great for me. only a couple pulls, but its worked everytime ive needed it. the best part is you can get rebuild parts for your warn. not so much with others out there.

[BlackYJ]

I really hesitate to say I'm on three years with mine, as lots of people have had such bad luck with them, but I have managed to use mine more than what everyone else on this thread seems to have gotten. I will say though, it's bloody slow. So I prefer to get tugged out when I can.

I know a guy that has had his Champion winches for 4+ years and it gets used hard and is still going.  I am really happy with my Warn.  I have never heard of anyone complain about their Warn winches.  It seems with the lower end winches that it is a 50/50 gamble.

As stated above, for the price you can not beat the warn m8000.  It has been around for years and is still a fantastic winch

[Eagle Jeeper]

In my opinion it goes to the saying you get what you pay for like all tools.  Buy cheap and be prepared for it to crater one day or buy name brand and feel some security in the fact they are tried and tested.  I personally run two old 8274's from Warn both bought used not sure on age but both still run strong and fast.  I have seen a Champion in action and it is painfully slow.  Just my 2 cents.

[Eagle Jeeper]

Heres a M8 in Edmonton 600
http://www.edmontonjeep.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=8144

[calltrex]

They should be outlawed.

but they are the Champions of being slow!

[The Machinist]

They should be outlawed.

but they are the Champions of being slow!

As long as it pulls me out I don't care how fast it is.  Mine works like a champ!