Jeeperjamie
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Jamie
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2020
- Threads
- 131
- Messages
- 4,636
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- 5,192
- Location
- Kannapolis nc
- Vehicle(s)
- 2020 jeep gladiator
- Occupation
- Weyerhaeuser
- Vehicle Showcase
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- Thread starter
- #16
Both made in China and I have used a Badlands winch before and know others who used them as well. I had a Badlands 9000lb winch on my JKU that never failed me and got a buddy using the same 12000lb model on a car hauler for almost 8yrs that gets used about twice a week and is still going strong. I'm not comparing Smitty or saying it's better or worse, just saying the Badland winches are good winches. I used to sell bumpers and off road lights a few years back and learned a lot about the manufacturers and where stuff is made and a lot of the stuff you buy from SMITTYBILT is made on the same factory that Eautogrilles,poison spyder and other manufacturers get their stuff from. So I'm not knocking Smittybilts stuff, but I'm not paying $200 more dollars for pretty much the same winch. My guy said I'd be around $400 with his discount and 20% on the ApexBetween Badlands and Smittybilt, I would go with Smittybilt. I have the 10,000 lb, and it works just fine. I’m not sure why you would prefer a Harbor Freight (cheap tools) brand to an off road accessory company brand. I will say though that I would buy Warn if it was reasonably close money.
You can purchase a 3 yr no questions ask warranty from from harbor freight for $35 and if it breaks you just take it in and they give you another one, I've bought it on a few things, one being a pump to pump off my pool liner. I let someone borrow it and they ran it dry and burn it up, they gave me another one and didn't even question it. Also if you go in 90 days before that warranty expires they will let you renew it for the same price, so you can get 6yrs for $70Badlands vs Smittybuilt = $ vs warranty. I got lucky and got the smitty 12k synthetic for $490 so I didn't have to choose. 90 day on Badlands, 5 years on Smitty.
Yes, there is anecdotal evidence regarding Badlands lasting a long time, I'm not arguing that. Is $90 worth peace of mind for 4.75 years? It was for me.
Same argument between 10k and 12k - 10k "should be fine." How much do you want to spend for piece of mind in case you get stuck someplace challenging. Also, are you going to just use the winch to recover your truck or want to be able to recover others that might be heavier?
I've got a bunch of Harbor Freight stuff too, so I'm not knocking the brand. However, once it does break you're on your own.
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