Best UTV Winches

If you dropped by this site, it means you've been searching for the best ATV winches, and I have information that can help. I have spent a lot of time researching winches and I've prepared this guide so you can find the right one. Let's get to it right now.

Introduction to the Best ATV Winches

A winch is a tool used to haul a vehicle, in this case, a ATV, from a ditch or wherever it is stuck. There are a lot of these winches online, but the best ones have been designed with durability in mind.

One of the mistakes people makes when they first buy a ATV winch is assuming they're the same. As I'm going to demonstrate here, there are a lot of factors to consider.

Recommended Best ATV Winches

Warn 89040 Vantage 4000 Winch - 4000 lb. Capacity

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The Vantage 4000 is a heavy duty winch built specifically for UTVs that require a lot of pulling power. With its extended rope and pulling capacity, you can feel confident about using it.

Convenient Remote Control

The remote allows you to operate the winch even if you're not on the UTV. This remote works with other Vantage winches so you can use it there too. Compared to other winches, the Vantage 4000 remote works even if you're a distance away.

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Control Switch Included

The Vantage series all come with a dash mounted control for managing the winch. The controls are responsive and they're capable of pulling your UTV out of tight spots.

Mini-Rocker Switch

The mini-rocker switch on the Vantage 4000 can be mounted on the handlebar, so it's more convenient to use.

Powerful Specs

The Vantage 7/32 inch wire rope is 55 feet, the longest in the series. It also has a powerful drive train and sealed motor, so it operates smoothly.

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The Terra 45 was built with the needs of power ATV users in mind. Compatible with most winch UTV mount kits, the Terra 45 is easy to use and packs power.

Powerful Motor

The kit comes with a 1.6 HP permanent magnet motor, dynamic brake and mechanical load holding. With this kind of power, you can pull that ATV out of almost any jam.

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For Heavy Duty Use

The winch has a heavy duty latched hook and anodized aluminum hawse. Furthermore, the Terra 45 has circuit breaker protection and the solenoid contact has weather sealing. It also has a pulling power of 4,500 lbs. And the rope is no-corrosive, so you don't have to worry about it giving way.

Large Planetary Gear

The winch has a metal planetary gear, and it has twice the width of those used by other winches. The Terra 45 also has bronze bearings that have been machined for precision.

Free Spooling Clutch

The Terra 45 has a free spooling clutch which has been ergonomically designed so it's easy to use. The free spool control also makes it easy to engage and disengage.

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The LT4000ATV has a 4000 lb. Rated pull, and that is indicative of its power. Like the other Superwinch products, the LT4000ATV is compatible with most ATV and UTVs and it's easy to use.

Handlebar Pull

The 4000 lb. Pulling power means you can use the Superwinch on most UTVs, and 1.4 HP permanent motor gives it additional power. If you've been having trouble getting your UTV out of a ditch, it's time you switch to a more powerful winch.

More Torque

The LT4000ATV comes with an extra torque which leads to greater pulling power. Compatible with standard mooring equipment, the LT4000ATV also provides consistent performance.

Solid Design

The LT4000ATV comes with fortified steel drums, and the permanent magnet motor is built for heavy-duty use as well. Once installed on your UTV, you can use it to pull the ATV or UTV out.

Durable Rope

The ropes found on UTV winches are often of poor quality, but the one here is durable and doesn't get jammed.

The Power Winch kit is a compact but effective winch, designed for budget users but not compromising on power. If you don't have an overly powerful winch, the Champion will fit the bill.

Consistent Pulling

The Champion has a 1 HP motor and a rated pull of 3000 lbs. More than sufficient for small ATVs and UTVs.

Accessories Included

The kit comes with a convenient remote control, a mounting channel and a roller fairlead, all the tools you'll need for effective winching. Unlike those on other winches, these accessories are actually useful.

Heavy Duty Cable

A frequent criticism of UTV winches is the weak cable provided, but the 49 ft. Cable bundled with the Champion is aircraft grade and designed for use in rugged environments.

Easy to Use

The winch is easy to install, and once in place, you should have little trouble getting the winch to work. The last thing you need when you've got a stuck UTV is figuring out how to use the winch, so this is a significant feature.

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The Superwinch 1140230 is a ATV winch meant for serious users looking for durability and versatility. While an intermediate winch, it also has features that stand out from the rest.

Versatile

The Superwinch 1140230 provides quiet, but effective winching, and it packs enough power to haul even a good sized UTV. The winch is capable of heavy duty tasks and is also flexible enough to be used for a UTV snow plow.

Durable Construction

The Superwinch 1140230 has a powerful permanent magnet motor with low amps, and its circuit breaker has protection features as well. Even if you use the winch on a regular basis, the components will hold.

Safety Elements

The winch load holding is 100% automatic, reducing the possibility of the wire rope slipping if there's a power surge or failure. The device also has dynamic braking and a quick drum stoppage feature built.

Comprehensive Warranty Coverage

The winch has a two-year warranty covering all the electrical components, and technical support is also good judging from customer feedback.

Things to Consider before Choosing the Best UTV Winches

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Capacity: This determines how much weight the winch can pull. The rating is measured in pounds. The greater the capacity, the better, but the rule of thumb is to multiply your UTV's weight and multiply the figure by 1.5. The figure you get is the ideal capacity.

Line: The further the line extends from the drum, the further it can reach out. However, if the line is too long it could get entangled or jammed. You can avoid this problem by carrying a 50 ft. Extension, so even if your winch has a short line you can extend it.

Line Speed: The top winches are quite fast at unloading, but they will slow down under heavy load. Some can go as fast 2 to 5 feet a minute. Faster line speeds are desirable, but they're going to require a lot of electrical power. You'll also have to consider the motor power, measured in horsepower.

Hydraulic vs. Electric Winches: Hydraulic winches allow you to winch continuously provided the engine keeps going. An electrical winch allows you to pull from a dead driving force, but this is limited only to a few minutes. For occasional use an electric winch is ideal. But for lots of winching, hydraulic is ideal.

Other Considerations

There are two types of winch ropes, synthetic and wire rope. Both are pretty good, and for 4x4 winches, the perfect cable diameters are 5/16, 3/8 and 7/16 inches.

Final Verdict

UTVs have become more popular than ever, and we buy all sorts of accessories to jazz them up and improve performance. But we cannot ignore maintenance tools like the winch. Nobody wants to see their UTV stuck, but it can happen, and you'll want to be ready in case that situation arises.

Hopefully, with the ATV winches, I reviewed here you'll have an easier time making the right purchase. You could always look for one online, and if that's what you want you can use the buyer's guide above. But for a quick fix to your winch needs, you can take your pick from the list above.