Smittybilt Winch Selection Guide

Picking a winch can be a confusing task if you don’t know what features you want. So, let’s take a moment and explain the features and benefits of our winches so you choose the right winch for your vehicle.

How much power do I need?

Smittybilt winches are available in all sizes to suit the broadest range of applications. The largest winch is capable of 17,500 lbs in a single line pull. The smallest Smittybilt winch designed for ATVs, It pulls 3,000 lbs. So, what winch is right for your vehicle. The industry standard for decades has been 1.5 times the weight of your vehicle. For example, if your rig weighs 6,000 lbs your winch rating should be 9000 lbs. 6,000 lbs X 1.5= 9,000 lbs Keep in mind it’s better to go higher than lower, in case the vehicle GVWR is maxed out on your next adventure. Most adventure rigs target 2X the vehicle weight making that safety margin of GVWR with power to spare. So if your fully loaded rig weighs 5,000 lbs, check out our Smittybilt X20 10K Winch SB98510. If your Rig is closer to 6,000 lbs, check out Smittybilt X20 12K Winch SB98812. This is Smittybilt’s latest, feature-packed design.

Do I need a waterproof winch?

Winches are often referred to as “Bumper Jewelry”. Proudly mounted front and center on your rig, your winch is the first thing that your fellow 4 wheelers will see when they approach. Leading the charge at the front of your vehicle means your winch is exposed directly to rain, snow and debris. Hurtling down the highway at your desired rate of knots creates enough pressure that blasts water and debris towards areas containing electronic and mechanical components. All Smittybilt XRC Winches are rated at IP67 meaning (“Dust tight” and “Waterproof to 3 feet for 30 minutes”). This is handy during those deep-water crossings while heading to Knik Glacier in Alaska. If you need more protection than that, check out The X20 line of winches. The IP68 rating allows for permanent submersion up to 13 feet. A great example of the X20 lineup is the Smittybilt 10K Winch SB98810.

Steel or Synthetic Cable

“Steel Cable” winches have stood the test of time. Steel is strong, has the highest UV rating and holds its energy well. The downside of steel cables is it kinks easily if not maintained, tiny frays can puncture your skin, and if a cable is damaged, it can become hazardous if it breaks. “Synthetic Ropes” became mandatory in Rock Crawling competitions around the year 2000. The upside to synthetic ropes is the latest materials and treatments make it 30% lighter, eliminates the risk of kinking. It also releases the stored energy with less force if broken. Synthetic ropes can be trail-repaired to keep winching when such a situation arises. The Synthetic rope might cost more, but the versatility and safety are worth it to us seasoned off-roaders. Also, you can upgrade to synthetic rope on any winch when you find that old Steel cable looking used and abused.

Controlling the winch

Not all controllers are created equal. The entry level winches work just fine feeding cable in and out of the winch. What else could the winch controller offer? How about wireless controls? Yes, while a wire is provided as a backup, our Smittybilt X20 Gen3 Winch SB98812 lineup comes with wireless controls. What if you need more data, the XRC winch lineup comes with Smittybilt’s patented Load control. A series of LED lights will tell you when you are reaching the max capacity of the winch during a pull. The Gen3 winches have built-in flashlights and magnetic mounts built into the handle so you can use the controller for other applications like checking your check your engine oil at night.

Quality is in the details

While we went over the hows and whys, don’t forget to look at the details like powder-coated finishes and removable armor that can be color-coded to your vehicle. Gen3 winches come with additional lighting to look cool and help with nighttime extrications. Smittybilt stands behind its products. ATV & UTV have 2-year limited warranties and most larger winches have 5-year electrical warranties and lifetime mechanical warranty. For more information on Warranty click here.