One of the top reasons Jeep lovers have a winch mounted onto their bumper is for vehicle recovery. In addition, having a winch can help remove objects obstructing the trail, such as a fallen tree. Most winches used by off-roaders are electric-powered and come with steel cable or synthetic rope.
Steel Cable vs. Synthetic Rope
What are the main advantages of steel cable versus synthetic rope? The advantages of steel cable include its resistance to abrasion and fraying and its heat-resistant properties. Synthetic ropes are lighter, crush-resistant, and have less kinetic energy.
Choosing how much pulling power a winch has and whether it comes with a steel or synthetic cable is a personal choice. Explore these top 10 Jeep winches:
Warn VR EVO12
This 12-volt electric winch from Warn has a pulling power of up to 12,000 pounds and can accommodate either a steel cable or synthetic rope. This winch comes with a two-in-one remote.
Smittybilt Gen2 X20
Smittybilt Gen2 X20 winches range in pulling power from 10,000 pounds to 12,000 pounds. These heavy-duty winches come with a 6.6-horsepower motor.
ZEAK 1200
When equipped with a synthetic rope, the Zeak 1200 can pull up to 12,000 pounds. It comes with a 6.6-horsepower motor and a three-stage planetary gear system. Along with having a winch on a Jeep, adding a Hi-Lift Jack can help in the recovery process.
Rugged Ridge Trekker
Rugged Ridge makes winches with a pulling range of 10,000 or 12,500 pounds. Both winches pair with a 6.6-horsepower motor, a wireless remote, and either steel cable or synthetic rope.
Rugcel 13500
The heavy-duty Rugcel 13500 comes with a steel cable and is rated for up to 13,000 pounds of line pull. This winch comes with a 7.2-horsepower, 12-volt motor.
Warn Zeon 12
The Warn Zeon 12 is a premium winch that comes with a 24-volt motor and a steel cable that can pull up to 12,000 pounds.
Smittybilt Gen2 XRC
This heavy-duty winch series can pull up to 15,500 pounds and comes equipped with a hammer-forged hook and steel cable for dealing with heavy loads.
Badland ZXR 12000
One of the best features of this winch is its ability to resist heat. The Badland ZXR has a pulling capacity of up to 12,000 pounds.
X-Bull 14500
For heavy pulling, the X-Bull 14500 with synthetic rope can pull up to 14,500 pounds. This 60-pound winch comes with a 6.4-horsepower motor.
Superwinch Tiger Shark 9500
As one of the top names for Jeep winches, Superwinch makes the lightweight Tiger Shark 9500 with a pulling capacity of up to 9,500 pounds. This winch comes with a 5.2-horsepower motor and a steel cable. In addition to having the right winch, having the proper recovery gear helps to get a Jeep unstuck efficiently.
Collins Bros Jeep is the premier place to buy used Jeeps, purchase Jeep accessories, and have a Jeep restored or modified in the Wylie, Texas, area. Collins Bros Jeep can order and add a winch to any Jeep to help enhance the off-roading experience.
