Best Winch For UTV

Finding the best winch for UTV is easy and important. You can get into a jam no matter how big or powerful your UTV or side-by-side is. Whether you’re on rocky terrain or stuck in the mud, a high-quality winch will always come in handy.

There are many options on the market with many different features, from compact machines, remotely operated winches, to those that come with blankets.

A good winch could spell the difference between a pleasurable ride in the country and a difficult or even deadly one. In this article, we go over some of the best UTV winch options in terms of their usefulness and safety.

Best Winch for Side by Side  (Our Review) 

When choosing the best winch for your UTV, there are a few essential factors you need to consider. You’ll want to ensure that the winch has enough power to safely move your UTV, even in the toughest of terrains or situations. You’ll also want a winch that is durable, reliable, and easy to use.

As outdoor enthusiasts, we understand the value of the right equipment, whether it’s a robust UTV winch or a quality fishing hat for your fishing trips.

Here are our selections for the best UTV winches on the market today.

1. Superwinch 1135220 Terra 35

The Terra 35 Superwinch 1135220 is an electric winch with high efficiency and performance. It’s capable of retrieving a wide range of vehicle kinds from any sort of pickle.

The Terra 35 winch comes with a mounting plate, roller fairlead, a handheld remote, and handlebar mount toggle. You can use the steel drum with either synthetic or cable rope.

This economical winch, with 1.6HP of pulling power, is great for vehicle recovery, freight hauling, and pulling game. It meets industry regulations for hauling a UTV, with a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.

This winch is perfect for high-performance UTV/ ATVs and the most difficult terrains. It works with a variety of UTV winch mount kits with a four-bolt layout.

The 1.6HP motor is run by a permanent magnet, which keeps the power draw for the machine lower than electro-magnet alternatives. It’s fueled through a simple, long-term connection to your vehicle’s battery.

The 3-stage planetary train is heavy-duty and provides the Terra 35 with power and reliability. This planetary gear, unlike conventional planetary gears, has a durable all-steel gear that is twice as broad.

You can instantly disengage the motor using the ergonomic cam action-free spooling clutch as well as handlebar-mounted switch. This allows you to pull out as much winch rope as you need, whenever you need it. The four-way roller fairlead mounting plate is offered separately.

The winch combines mechanical load retention and dynamic braking to reduce the risk of the wire rope slipping. This can happen if there’s a power outage and the safety feature will stop the drum swiftly.

The power supply is safe and reliable thanks to the sealing solenoid and circuit breaker safety. When recovering your vehicle, you won’t have to be concerned about the weather. Even if it rains, the waterproof winch will function fine.

Safe distances are possible thanks to a remote switch made from rubber with a 10-foot extension cord. This also aids positioning between the operator and the winch when used off-road.

 Pros 

  • Sealed 1.6HP permanent magnet motor
  • Low power draw
  • Dynamic brake
  • Suitable for wire and synthetic rope.

Cons

  • No warranty on cables
  • Mounting bolts for fairlead too short

2. Quadboss 5000lb Winch

This winch has a single line rated pull of 5,000 pounds. It can readily handle practically any work you throw at it, thanks to a heavy-duty 3.8 HP electric motor that befits its size.

It includes a universal three-stage gear mechanism, as expected from a heavy-duty winch, which allows for faster line speed. It has a line speed of 10.5 ft/m with a pulling load of 4,000 lbs and drawing as little as 190 A motor current.

This winch also comes with 50 feet of wiring cable that’s resistant to abrasions and a roller fairlead for appropriate cable guidance. It also comes with a 50 feet synthetic rope which is 15 times stronger than steel.

It has an automated load retaining self-locking brake that keeps the weight in place and prevents accidents. For user convenience, this winch has a free spooling clutch and a power in/power out feature.

Another benefit of this winch is that it is dust and water-resistant, with an IP67 designation that protects it from harm from dirt and water. Both corded and cordless remote controls are included in the kit.

Pros

  • Minimal power consumption
  • Dust and water-resistant
  • Wired and wireless remote
  • Fast line speed

Cons

  • Cables are too short

3. Viper 13000 lb Winch

The Viper 13000 has an 85-foot long galvanized steel wire which gives it great pulling power.

The Viper 13000 lb winch is one of the most powerful winches on the market. It can easily tow vehicles, ATVs, SUVs, and UTVs. For tow trucks and jeeps, the Viper Winch is a must-have. 

Its 5½ HP engine can tow up to 13,000 pounds, which is about as much as the average elephant. The user interface is simple, allowing for use in a variety of settings.

The possibility to switch to synthetic wire is one of the nicest features. If you want to use synthetic cable, you’ll need to use a hawse fairlead mechanism, however, the galvanized steel cable works perfectly with the standard roller fairlead system.

The wireless control works fine within a 20-foot range, but the reception isn’t great once you go beyond that. 

A sliding ring gear serves as the onboard clutch. This design allows the winch drum to revolve freely, resulting in more efficient winching. The clutch can be controlled with the provided remote. As a result, there is no need to perform any manual tasks.

It’s a plus if you’re someone who has to relocate the solenoid regularly. The winch’s cover isn’t completely waterproof, but it does keep water damage and other intrusions to a minimum.

A damper blanket is included to prevent harmful recoiling and breaking under load.

Furthermore, the 245 A motor draw ensures efficiency throughout the winching process.

Pros

  • Waterproof cover
  • Automatic braking system
  • Wireless and cabled remote
  • Three-stage planetary gear system

 Cons

  • Replacement parts difficult to find
  • Manual is difficult to understand

4. Champion 3000-lb. ATV/UTV Winch Kit

The Champion ATV UTV Winch is a 3000 lb winch kit that combines a 3.2-inch drum and a sturdy roller fairlead to prepare your UTV for a highly abrasive and demanding terrain.

Everything you need to get started is included in the kit. The pack comes with the winch itself, a strap and hook, roller fairlead, a mounting channel, and remote control. There’s nothing worse than getting a new toy delivered and having to find the right screws or cables before you can start playing with it.

Because the line draw is rated at 3,000 pounds, it may simply be mounted to an ATV or UTV through the mounting channel.

There’s a DC permanent magnet motor of 1.3 HP. The 46-foot long cable supplied is galvanized and less susceptible to fraying than other cables, especially when used in harsh terrain, around rocks, through sand, and over mud. This is the kind of cable used in the aerospace sector, so you can trust that it’s reliable.

Because of the system’s three-stage planetary gear system, handlebar-mounted remote control, and free spooling clutch, you feel in command while winching. The system has a dynamic brake option on the winch drum for further safety. In any condition, this lightweight and compact tool gives a lot of power.

Pros

  • Durable
  • Remote controllable
  • Resilient cable

Cons

  • Difficult to install
  • Short control wires

5. Smittybilt 97495 XRC Winch

When it comes to high-quality heavy-duty winches, the Smittybilt 97495 XRC winch is a top choice, even if the name is unbearably silly. 

This winch’s ergonomic design makes it simple to lock and move around on your vehicle. Another nice feature is that it is completely waterproof.

It has a magnetic control handle and a sliding ring gear. The automated braking system and remote switch are also noteworthy.

This ATV winch not only performs admirably on the field, but it also looks great. The textured black finish not only adds to the overall aesthetic, but it’s also difficult to scratch, protecting the metal beneath. There’s even a lifetime warranty on construction and performance.

The Smittybilt XRC 97495 is available with either a synthetic rope or a steel winch line, each having its own advantages and applications. The winch’s gear ratio is low, allowing for a rapid winding pace and easy control using the parking brake.

The winch has a four-way roller fairlead and a substantially faster spooling rate than most. While this is useful for rapid pulls, it does mean that you have to maintain it regularly. With lots of oil and an occasional clean, this winch will keep you going for years.

There’s a limited lifetime warranty on mechanical parts and a five-year warranty on electrical parts. This shows us just how much Smittybilty believes in its high-quality materials, outstanding design, and performance. 

Pros

  • Highly durable and reliable
  • Impressive pulling load.
  • Corrosion-resistant body finish
  • Compact
  • Remote control

Cons

  • Motor system can overheat
  • No mounting plate

6. WARN 89021 Vantage 2000-S

The WARN Vantage 2000-S Winch has a pulling capacity of 2,000 pounds. It fits on the majority of ATVs, UTVs, and even boat trailers.

A handlebar-mounted rocker switch, dynamic braking system, aluminum hawse fairlead, and other useful features make this a good purchase for general use.

You’ll find a 50-foot-long synthetic rope with a 5/32-inch diameter. The winch weighs around 13 pounds, which is surprisingly light considering its load.

Despite being a lightweight winch, it has a 0.9 HP permanent magnet motor and a differential planetary gear train. The gear train has a remarkable 155:1 ratio.

If 2,000 pounds of pulling force isn’t enough for you, consider the WARN Vantage 3000 Winch. This winch has a larger pulling capacity, but it’s considerably heavier and more expensive.

It also has several unique characteristics, such as a 180:1 gear ratio, a spring break, 50-foot steel wire, and a 4-way roller fairlead.

Pros

  • Impressive warranty terms
  • Weather and waterproof
  • Corrosion-resistant coating

Cons

  • Cable tends to jam

7. SuperATV 3500 lb Black Ops ATV / UTV Winch

For durability and convenience, this winch uses a 50-foot synthetic winch rope. When you’re stuck in a creek or mud, the weather-proof solenoid and seals keep your gears turning. 

This 3,500 lb winch has practical safety features like a wireless remote and automatic brake mechanism to hold the spool on inclines, keeping you away from danger.

It has a 1.2 HP permanent magnet motor, a 3-stage planetary gear train with a 166:1 ratio, a wireless and wired remote controller, a hawse fairlead, and a clevis hook, among other features. 

In terms of the number of features offered, this winch is head and shoulders above the rest. In fact, the only thing that keeps us back from heartily recommending it is the price. If you want this winch, you’ll have to set aside nearly $600 for the privilege.

Pros

  • 1-year warranty
  • Easy to mount
  • Weatherproof and waterproof
  • Remote controllable

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Confusing user manual

Best Winch For UTV FAQs

Is a 2,500lb winch enough?

A good rule of thumb is to choose a winch with a pull capacity of around 1,5 times the weight of your ATV.

Most ATV winching applications require a rating of 2,500to 3,500 lb.

Are Champion winches any good?

Winches like the Champion 10,000-lb. Truck/SUV Winch Kit is particularly good for rough terrain. This top Champion winch is well-made and has a dependable, long-lasting construction. It comes with a fantastic warranty, and the product’s overall quality is excellent.

What size winch should I put on my side by side?

As a general rule, winches in the 4,000 lb. range or above, depending on your needs, are a solid choice. In some situations, a 3,500 lb. winch would suffice.

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