Best Rough Country Winch Review – Is It Worth Buying?

Best Rough Country Winch Review- Is It Worth Buying?

We have all experienced off-road driving. Whether it's that outdoor camping experience you had gone to, or you just took a country road that was rough. Although going for an off-roading adventure can be really fun, there are dangers too. That's why you need a good winch.

What is the best winch on the market?

Winches are extremely useful as they help you achieve the full off-roading experience. However, finding that perfect winch can be overwhelming since the market is saturated with a lot of brands. Luckily, there are cooler brands like Rough Country that provide high-quality winches at an affordable price.

We have created this Rough Country winch review guide to help you know about the winches they have and also get an in-depth understanding of each of them. After going through this guide, you can then decide whether you're buying one or not.

Are Rough Country Winches Any Good?

Rough Country is a well-known brand to many offroaders because of its high-quality products. This brand boasts the ability to manufacture the desired quality winches while still keeping the price within the customer's reach.

Electric winches are one of their leading products, but they also have other quality products like light mounts, light covers, LED lights, headlines, fasteners, etc. They are also well known when it comes to producing some exterior vehicle parts, steering, tires, wheels, etc.

Even though it is not the most popular brand when it comes to winches, Rough Country offers high-quality winches that are affordable. Generally, you can definitely trust this brand with their quality winches that won't break your bank. Here is a general Rough Country winch review.

1. Quality

Many experts of the off-roading community will agree that Rough Country winches are high quality and durable. They can survive even the harshest of conditions. Whether it is sunny, rainy, muddy, or sandy, these winches will still deliver amazing performance.

All their winches have a waterproof IP67 rating for durability. Most of their winches are also easy to install and come with all the features and accessories needed for installation. The 100% satisfaction guarantee also confirms the quality of their products.

2. Range

If you're in search of a winch with a great range, then the Rough Country winches have got you covered. There is a winch for every size or shape of a vehicle. Most often than not, they make winches designed for all types of vehicles.

Additionally, Rough Country provides a complete range of accessories for a fun and memorable off-road experience.

3. Price

All their products come at a reasonable price, which is way less than those of their competitors.

4. Warranty

Rough Country provides comprehensive electrical and mechanical warranties for all its products. Their 100% satisfaction guarantee means that they can refund you for any reason. However, you may need to cover the shipping costs in case of a return.

With that being said, here is the full Rough Country winch review of the products available.

1. Rough Country 12,000 LB PRO Series Electric Winch

Rough Country 12,000 LB PRO Series Electric Winch | 85 FT Synthetic Rope Fairlead | Clevis Hook |...
  • 12000 LB. Pro Series Electric Winch | Synthetic Rope
  • Motor: Powerful 6HP , Gear Ratio 265:1 , 3 Stage Planetary with...
  • Includes Wired Remote Control, Clevis Hook, Hawse Fairlead,...
  • Water and Dust Proof Rated IP67
  • Backed by Rough Country for 1 Year Electrical | 2 Year Mechanical...

With its ability to tow up to 12,000 lbs of weight, this Rough Country can help you recover your vehicle or anything that is up 8000 lbs in weight. This is because a quality winch should have 1.5 times more weight capacity than the weight of the stuck car.

Fortunately, Rough Country winches provide both synthetic rope and steel cable versions, and this winch is no different. However, the synthetic rope version is preferred by many because it ensures the winch is light, which reduces the chances of injury in case it breaks under load.

If you prefer using a steel cable version over a synthetic rope, it is advisable to use a dampener. This reduces the amount of danger experienced when it breaks under load.

This winch comes with a powerful 6 HP series wound motor, a clevis hook, and a sliding ring gear clutch. The combination of the sliding ring gear clutch and the 3-stage planetary gear allows you to control the towing process very smoothly.

In addition, this winch features an auto in-drum braking system to enhance the safety of the winch. The unit has an IP67 waterproof rating, making it a pretty good choice. It is backed up by a two-year mechanical and one-year electrical warranty.

Although this unit used to come with wireless remote control, currently, it doesn't. Despite this, its handheld remote controller features a 12-foot lead. Another downside is that the solenoid lacks a mounting bracket that you can use to hang it on the side.

Pros

  • Great value for money
  • Strongly built
  • A high-quality 85ft synthetic rope and also a steel cable version included.
  • Easy and quick installation process
  • 12 ft wired remote control for convenient use
  • Movable solenoid
  • Comes with series-wound motors ensuring high efficiency and less overheating.

Cons

  • Lacks a wireless remote
  • Not fully waterproof

2. Rough Country 9,500 LB PRO Series Electric Winch

Rough Country 9,500 LB PRO Series Electric Winch | 85 FT Synthetic Rope Fairlead | Clevis Hook | 12...
  • 9500 LB. Pro Series Electric Winch | Synthetic Rope
  • Motor: Powerful 5.5HP , Gear Ratio 265:1 , 3 Stage Planetary with...
  • Includes Wired Remote Control, Clevis Hook, Hawse Fairlead,...
  • Water and Dust Proof Rated IP67
  • Backed by Rough Country for 1 Year Electrical | 2 Year Mechanical...

Another amazing winch is the Rough Country 9,500 LB PRO Series Electric Winch, which has a weight capacity of 9500 lbs. To get premium performance, it is recommended to use this winch for towing up to 6333 lbs.

This winch is quite similar to the 12000 lbs winch, but there are a few technical differences. First, this 9500 lbs version comes with a 5.5 HP 12-volt series wound motor power, unlike the 12000 lbs one, which comes with a 6HP motor.

Additionally, this winch features both synthetic rope and steel cable versions. Although the synthetic rope and steel cable winch measure the same, they have different weights, with the synthetic rope being the lightest. The steel cable version has a 100 feet length winch cable.

The powerful motor and sturdy design of this winch ensure it works well even under immense pressure. The auto in drum braking systems will lock the steel cable in place to prevent any rollbacks. It comes with a remote control that has extended wires making it quite easy to use.

It features a 3-stage planetary gear, a gear ratio of 265:1, and a sliding ring gear clutch to ensure a smooth operation. The device will also have an IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating which means it can get through the dirty tails with no hitch.

So, if you're looking for a reliable and high-performing winch for your SUV, trailer, and Jeep, then you buy this one.

Pros

  • Highly durable
  • Powerful motor
  • Built-in steel cable
  • Electrical and mechanical warranty of up to 2 years
  • Wired remote control
  • Great auto drum braking systems
  • Different extensions include a four-way roller fairlead and a clevis hook.

Cons

  • No wireless remote control

3. Rough Country 4,500 LB UTV/ATV Electric Winch

Rough Country 4,500LB UTV Electric Winch | 1.4HP | Synthetic Rope - RS4500S
  • 4,500 LB. UTV | ATV Electric Winch | Synthetic Rope
  • Motor: Powerful 1.4HP | Gear Ratio 166:1 | Differential Planetary...
  • Wired In/Out Switch & Harness | Synthetic Rope 1/4" x 50 FT |...
  • Mount Bolt Pattern : 4.87 x 3 in.
  • Backed by Rough Country's Limited Lifetime Replacement Warranty.

If you're not looking for a heavy-duty winch with a very high output, then this Rough Country 4,500 LB UTV/ATV Electric Winch is a perfect option. This device is designed to fulfill all your UTV and ATV winch needs. It is easy to use and perfectly compact but still produces more than enough power for your small vehicle.

The package includes all the things you need for a seamless installation process. In addition, this winch features a line speed of 3.8 ft per minute, making it a powerful yet compact piece of equipment.

It comes with a robust 1.4 hp motor and a 166:1 gear ratio to provide enough power to get your car back on track. Moreover, it includes a 50ft synthetic rope and clevis hook for more functionality.

When used with lightweight cars, this winch doesn't get overheated even when you use it for an extended period of time and won't lose its efficiency. Although it doesn't come in a big size, this winch is very durable and reliable.

Pros

  • Built-in powerful motor
  • Great for smaller vehicles
  • Easy installation process
  • Includes a reliable warranty
  • Wired remote control
  • Great efficiency and less overheating
  • Lightweight and compact design
  • Safe to use

Cons

  • No wireless remote control system
  • Less powerful and weight capacity

Verdict

From the Rough Country winch review and all the features considered, we can say that their winches come in the front line with their easy recoveries and high quality. Any off-road driver can trust them to save vehicles whenever they are stuck.

Here are some reasons why Rough Country products stand out from their competition;

  • Longer warranty
  • Great customer support
  • High-quality products
  • Affordable prices
  • Essential accessories included
  • Different sizes and ranges of products

What Do You Consider When Buying the Best Winch?

In this part of our Rough Country winch review, we will go through some important features you should consider when buying a winch. They include;

1. Material

The construction material of the winch will determine its durability. In turn, the more durable the material is, the more you're able to rely on it to support your vehicle's load. So, remember to check the material.

Never assume that only an expensive winch will have high-quality materials. Nowadays, even Chinese winches with mid-level pricing will provide great quality materials, as proven by Rough Country. In addition, the Rough Country comes with a 1.4-1.6 horsepower motor and three-stage planetary gear that won't overheat.

2. Pulling Capacity

A winch pulling capacity or load capacity can affect its performance. It is important to get a winch that can support 1.5 times more weight than that of your car to avoid underloading or overloading power. The best load capacity will provide excellent pulling on hills, mud, and uneven roads.

3. Gear Ratio

To be able to pull your stuck vehicle efficiently, you need an accurate and robust gear ratio. Considering the gear ratio, you need to focus on the motor power. This is because different brands and types will come with different options. So, do not ignore the motor power.

4. Waterproof Abilities

You need to select a winch with great waterproof and dustproof abilities that you can use in both rainy and sunny seasons. A waterproof and dustproof winch will ensure efficient performance even during harsh weather conditions.

5. Warranty

If a company provides a warranty for your winch, then you can be sure that they are selling quality products. From the Rough Country winch Review, we have seen that they offer at least a one-year electrical warranty and mechanical warranty.

6. Price and Budget

Pricing has a huge effect on whether you can buy a product or not. Therefore, it is always an amazing idea to go for products at a reasonable price. However, you need to figure out your desired features to come up with a budget.

The price of the winches varies greatly with so many brands in the market. However, if you choose a Rough Country winch, you can get one within your budget since they all come with a reasonable price.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Rough Country Winches

1. Are rough country winches waterproof?

Yes. These winches feature an IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating that is built to drive off water and dust away from the device. This way, you get reliable performance and recovery to help you get back on track.

2. How much does a rough country winch weigh?

All winches by Rough Country come at a reasonable weight. However, the weight varies from one model to another. For example, the 9500 LB winch weighs 63.8 pounds, while the 12000 LB one weighs 64.2 pounds.

3. How long has Rough Country been in the market?

Rough Country was started in 1986 by Gridiron Capital to help serve the automobile industry. This means that it has been around for about 36 years. They manufacture different types of SUV kits like steering tops, wheels, tires, lights, winches, and other automobile accessories.