Having a portable electric winch with you can save you lots of time and energy. In addition, it acts as a great helping medium when you're pulling vehicles, towing boats, and doing other heavy-duty lifting jobs.
What power winch do I need?
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Getting the right portable electric winch can be a bit of a pickle, especially with all the options available. This is why we carefully took the liberty of curating a list of the best portable winches in the market.
But first, let's see how you can use your electric winch.
What Can You Use A Portable Electric Winch For?
Portable winches are perfect for getting you out of sticky situations - sometimes quite literally. For example, you can use a portable winch to pull your vehicle out of the mud where it's stuck.
Electric winches are motorized devices that you can use for pulling, lifting, and positioning heavy loads. You can mount it to your car's front or rear bumper and get it to work.
If your winch requires direct current, it will be powered by your vehicle's electrical system.
Now that we know how you can use a portable electric winch let's look at the best in the market.
Which Is the Best Portable Electric Winch?
1. Smittybilt GEN 2 XRC Winch 9,500 Pound Load Capacity
Smittybilt GEN 2 XRC Winch | 9,500 Pound Load Capacity
- Your purchase includes One Smittybilt GEN2 XRC Winch, 97495 model...
- Winch dimensions: 22.3” L x 5.4” W x 9.4” H | Product...
- Completely Waterproof, state-of-the-art 500AMP Solenoid
- Kit comes complete with all wiring required for installation....
- Smittybilt offers a limited lifetime for replacement to the...
The weight of these portable winches is 78 pounds, and the pulling capacity is 9500 pounds. The cable length is 7ft long, and you also get a 6.6 HP motor.
For this price point, you get a large mounting base that will allow you to extract heavy jeeps, pickups, and average frame rigs without much hassle. In addition, these portable winches come with durable construction that includes a state-of-the-art 500 AMP solenoid and a completely waterproof nature.
For the installation process, you get to use the provided kit that comes with all the wiring needed. We love the Smittybilt electric winch because the brand offers you a limited lifetime warranty for the replacement of stainless steel products.
In addition, the dual-stage and powder-coated products come with a 5-year warranty or a 100,000-mile warranty. Whichever comes first.
Pros
Cons
2. Superwinch 1130220 LT3000 Single Line Pull
Sale
Superwinch 1130220 LT3000 12V DC WInch 3,000lb/1361kg Single Line Pull with Roller Fairlead, 3/16in...
- Rated line pull of 3,000 pounds
- Roller fairlead and mounting plate
- Sealed low amperage permanent magnet motor
- Includes both handle bar mounted rocker switch and handheld...
- Mechanical and dynamic brake
The pulling capacity of this electric winch is 3000 pounds. So if you want a quiet, compact, and all-purpose winch, this is a good option for you. In addition to the 3000 pulling capacity, you also get functionality and reliability with this portable winch.
A circuit breaker protects the permanent magnet motor for incredible performance. You know that quality is guaranteed if you've used any Superwinch product before. These portable electric winches come with a hook, cable, wiring, hardware, and a roller fairlead.
This Superwinch LT follows the industry standard mounting bolt pattern. This means you will have no problem using it with most winch mounts.
As one of the most affordable portable electric winches in the market, you'll be getting a good deal with this option. Some other features that you'll get to enjoy include the 1.2 horsepower permanent magnet low-amp draw engine, a wired handheld remote with 12' lead, an ergonomic clutch, 50-feet of durable 3/16" wire rope and much more.
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3. WARN 103250 Electric 12V DC Winch
WARN 103250 VR EVO 8 Electric 12V DC Winch with Steel Cable Wire Rope: 5/16" Diameter x 90' Length,...
- Standard duty winch with a steel cable and an 8, 000 lb....
- Powerful series-wound motor and planetary gear train deliver...
- High-performance Albright contactor delivers maximum reliability;...
- Features IP68-rated waterproof construction, two-in-one remote...
- Designed, engineered, and tested in the USA; Limited lifetime for...
You will love the 8,000lb pulling capacity that this portable winch comes with. If you want an electric winch that can work with to lift very heavyweights, this is the one for you. You can use it to pull 2-door jeeps and light SUVs.
You can use the two-in-one remote with both wired and wireless options. Maximum reliability is guaranteed with these electric winches along with high performance.
The IP68-rated waterproof construction means that you can use these electric winches at any time of the day and in whatever season. You also get a wireless remote control that you can use if you choose to.
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4. WARN 103254 Electric Winch with Steel Cable Wire Rope
Sale
WARN 103254 VR EVO 12 Electric 12V DC Winch with Steel Cable Wire Rope: 3/8" Diameter x 85' Length,...
- Standard duty winch with a steel cable and an 12, 000 lb....
- Powerful series-wound motor and planetary gear train deliver...
- High-performance Albright contactor delivers maximum reliability;...
- Features IP68-rated waterproof construction, two-in-one remote...
- Designed, engineered, and tested in the USA; Limited lifetime for...
If you've been looking for a reliable brand when it comes to off-road products, you know that WARM Industries is a good place to start. With this eclectic winch, you get faster line speed under load along with a lower amp draw.
This is thanks to the planetary gear train and a powerful series wound motor. Another feature you'll love is the state-of-the-art remote control that comes with wired and wireless options.
The availability of this remote control gives you great versatility and ease of use. You also get the IP68-rated waterproof construction and a one-piece cast-aluminum tie-plate like our previous pick above.
This plate gives you durability and extra strength.
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5. WARN 101575 Handheld Portable Drill Winch
Sale
WARN 101575 Handheld Portable Drill Winch with 40 Foot Synthetic Rope: 750 lb Pulling Capacity ,...
- Lightweight and portable handheld drill winch with a 750 lb....
- Powered by a standard, portable drill (not included)
- Includes a 40' (12. 2 m) of 5/32" (4mm) steel rope, integrated...
- Free-spool clutch makes rigging fast and easy
- Available in both steel (wire) and synthetic rope options
This reliable winch has an integrated system that includes a drill winch and load limiter that work well together. Another great feature is the audible user feedback you get once you reach the maximum capacity.
The free-spool clutch makes the process of rigging easy and fast. So although you get a 750 lb pulling capacity, you also get a very lightweight portable electric winch.
When the drill winch starts ratcheting at 750 lbs, the load limiter disconnects the drive from this winch. Again, the variable speed allows for better control of loads.
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What Should You Consider When Getting A Portable Electric Winch?
1. Mounting System
When considering the mounting system of your portable winch, you should also consider the mounting base. Ensure that the mounting base is made of heavy-duty materials and is of very good construction.
This guarantees that your winch, ropes or cables won't get damaged. Next, you can check the mounting options which indicate the mounting system. All in all, once you ensure that the mounting base is stable, you should be okay.
2. Pulling Capacity
An important factor to consider when selecting portable electric winches is the capacity. Here's where the term "pull rating" comes in. This states the amount of weight that your winch can pull before it starts failing.
Therefore, the higher the pull rating in pounds, the stronger the winch parts and drumline will be. Therefore, you can choose a high pulling capacity or a lower one, depending on your preferences.
3. Type of Cable
You can either choose a synthetic rope or steel cable with your portable winch. The truth is that your winch is only as strong as the wire rope. Most of the portable electric winches in the market today come with a steel cable.
This is because steel is durable, long-lasting, strong, and great for abrasive terrains with sharp rocks. If you decide to go the steel wire rope route, ensure that you also get protective gloves which will allow you to work well with it.
Synthetic ropes are not as popular because steel cables are much more difficult to break or bend. They are also cheaper than synthetic ropes. However, steel cables are more dangerous when they break.
If you opt to go the synthetic rope route, you'll get to enjoy the super lightweight nature of this power cable. You will also love how easy it is to spool and handle. The downside of synthetic ropes is that they can easily fray in harsh conditions.
4. Weight
The weight of the winch itself matters a lot. Why? Because if it's extremely heavy, your winch can make the front or rear end of your vehicle get off balance.
Another reason why you need to pay attention to the weight is that we're dealing with portable electric winches. This means you should be able to carry your winch to wherever you need it.
5. Line Speed
The fastest line speeds can make your vehicle battery drain faster. You should keep this in mind as you choose the winch you want.
6. Waterproofing
Waterproofing is important because it allows you to work with your winch in whatever weather. Especially when you intend to deal with heavy machinery outdoors, choose electric winches with waterproofing qualities.
7. Versatility and Portability
Although we're looking at portable electric winches, the portability varies. Therefore, if you intend to use your electric winches away from home very often, better to choose ones that are easy to move and are lightweight in nature.
You can also consider the load capacity along with the number of ways you can use your winches.
What Are Safety Tips When Using A Portable Electric Winch?
After you've selected your electric winch and are ready to give it a go, here are some tips to keep in mind.
This assumes that you've carefully read the user manual and have had the proper training on using this tool. Whether it has features like the automatic load limiter, rigging hooks, a standard portable drill, and so on or not, ensure that you're putting your safety first.
Here are some tips to keep in mind when using an electric winch.
- Avoid putting sudden shock loads on your portable winch because this can lead to damage of the winch and injuries to you.
- Always countercheck whether the hook latch is closed or not. You should also ensure that the hook latch is not associated with your load.
- Ensure that you check the load capacity of your winch to avoid going past the limit. Remember that excess weight can lead to accidents and damage to the winch. If you can get one with an LED overloading warning, the better.
- Whether you're doing some nighttime winching or not, take time to ensure that you're placing the weight in the center of the winch's hook. At no point should you attach your weight to the tip of the latch portion of your hook.
- The same way you might use your winch with different vehicles is the same way that electric winches vary. Therefore, ensure that you've gone through the product details and know-how your specific electric winch operates.
- Whether you're using, WARN products or not, ensure that all the accessories are in place. Tighten any parts you feel are loose before you start using your winch for pulling.
- Do not detach the clutch as the winch is taking uploads. This is to prevent any accidents and damages to the equipment.
- As the rigging hooks carry the weight, ensure that you keep a safe distance. This applies to you and anyone else in the area.
- Wear the right equipment when dealing with electric winches. For example, you can wear heavy leather gloves to protect your hands while working. This will help protect your hands from the rough wire and so on, and also prevent your hands from slipping.
- Ensure that you have a wired remote control with you, even if you have a wireless option. This will ensure that you have a working remote control at all times.
- Avoid using long bolts while setting up these machines.
- As you are setting up the load and the winches, ensure that they are at a fair distance that is not too far or too near.
- Always use certified accessories to set up your winch to avoid accidents or damage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Portable Electric Winches
1. What safety precautions must you follow when operating electric winches?
Always wear proper safety equipment such as heavy gloves and eye protection. Other tips include keeping your jewelry, hair, or even yourself far away from the winch cable and other parts.
You can also look at the tips we've mentioned above before you start operating your winch.
2. What can you use an electric winch for?
You can use an electric winch for lifting, positioning and pulling heavy loads. The power source of most electric winches is your vehicle's electrical system.