Engo Winches...feedback/reviews

UTfball68

UTfball68

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2008
Location
Granite Quarry
Alright...I know the standard for winches is you get what you pay for, or purchase a reputable used one. I still may do either, but I was curious if anyone had any real life experience or feedback on Engo winches? To my understanding, the company was started by the old MileMarker CEO...his intent was to offer functional, cut the frills, affordable winches. It sounds like the frills that were cut were full assembly from the factory, and customer support...but if you get beyond that, from what I've read, it sounds like actual performance is second tier only to Warn. That said, I realize you have to pay to play, but I've read nothing but good about these winces, and considering they're half price of the big names, it's semi enticing.


http://www.engousa.com/products/category/Electric+Winches/5150.0.1.1.84540.0.0.0.0
 
damn, cheaper than a HF winch?? I didn't think that was even possible...

Knowing the quality of the HF winch, I'd immediately stay away from something cheaper that compares spec to spec...
 
Considering you can get the Smittybuilt XRC8 for $300 I wouldn't bother with these. It has a great reputation and it's cheaper.
 
most of your winches HF, champ, mile marker, mile marker clones, come from the same factory in china. Some of the up marking in price comes from lisenceing rights to use more popular names like mile marker. MM also uses better material in the castings and better componants in the motors etc.

While your specs may match, the durability may not. that cheaper material in the casing that might look the same, isnt as strong as the big name winch, even though it came from the same factory and the same mold.

I service Canon copiers. They play this game where they have two lines, the Consumer (staples, office depot etc) line, and the commercial line (independant dealers such as us). They will build two machines, one of high quality plastic and upper end mother boards etc. and one in the same molds, but with lower end ingredients. one cost half the price as the other but looks identical (to the customer anyway). One has a life expantancy of 1-3 years, the other 7-10.

in the end, its like you already know. Spend the money for reliability.
 
I looked into several winches and decided on the recon 10500 the price was good and I have seen it action. My brother has this winch and already this year he's pulled a full size blazer back onto it's wheels. Pulled an XJ with bald tires up dutch john in the rain and pulled yet another XJ of the ledge on rocky mount loop after he backed off the side trying to go up the bypass at the ledge.

For a budget winch it seems to pull extremely well and the price can't be beat.

http://www.truckandwinch.com/recon-10-500-lbs-premium-winch-kit.html

Specs:
PART # 264100PPW - PRO PERFORMANCE SERIES Winch Specs are as follows:

10,500LB, 12VDC 6.5HP MOTOR, 3-Stage Planetary Gear w/ 218:1 Ratio for Exceptional Line Speed, Aluminum Hawse Fairlead, 88ft of 7/16" Synthetic Rope Rated 16,500LBS, Controlled by both Wireless (30ft Range) & Wired Remotes

Performance: 12VDC
Single line rated pull: 10,500lb (4773kg)
Motor: 6.5hp Series Wound (4.9kw)
Solenoid: IP67 Rated against dust and water
Wired Remote: Wired Remote switch, 12ft (3.7m) lead
Wireless Remote: RF Wireless Remote, 30ft (9.14m) range
Gear train: 3 Stage Performance Planetary Gear Train
Gear Reduction Ratio: 218:1 for incredible line speed
Clutch: Sliding Ring Gear
Braking Action: Automatic In-The-Drum
Drum size: Drum size Diameter 2.5"(63.5mm ) Length 8.8"( 224mm)
Synthetic Rope: 88ft of 7/16" diameter (26.5m of 10.5mm) Rated 7.5 tons or 16,500lb
Fairlead: Aluminum Hawse Fairlead
Mounting Pattern: 4.5” x 10” bolt pattern (114.3mm x 254mm)
Battery Recommended: 650CCA minimum for winching
Battery Leads: 2 gauge 72"(1.83m)
Net Weight: 62lb (28kg)
Gross Weight: 66lbs (30kg)
 
Budget warn specs:

VR8000 SPECS/PART NUMBERS
Part numbers: 86245
Rated line pull: 8000 lbs. (3629 kgs)
Motor: 12V DC, Series Wound
Electrical controls: Solenoid
Remote Control: Remote switch, 12 ft. (3.7m) Lead
Geartrain: 3-Stage Planetary
Gear ratio: 216:1
Clutch (freespooling): Sliding Ring Gear
Brake: Automatic Direct Drive Cone
Drum diameter/Length: 2.5 in./9.0 in. (6.4cm/23cm)
Weight (kit shipping): 80 lbs. (36.3 kgs)
Wire rope: 5/16 in. x 94 ft. (8mm x 29m)
Fairlead: Roller
Recommended Battery: 650 CCA minimum for winching
Battery leads: 2 gauge, 72 in. (1.83m)
Finish: Powder coat over primer undercoating
Warranty: Limited Lifetime

Dang just realized I'm on my wifes computer and logged in under her screen name.
 
There was actually a winch comparison in the latest issue of FourWheeler. The Engo winch was one of two that they didnt break during their testing, and FourWheeler ended up naming it the best value winch.

Duane
 
Thanks for all the info guys...that VR series from Warn looks awesome. As for the Fourwheeler test, my issue should be coming any day now.
 
Getting ready to buy my first winch and just got pointed to Engo. I may go ahead and pull the trigger...
 
melk said:
Getting ready to buy my first winch and just got pointed to Engo. I may go ahead and pull the trigger...
Click to expand...

I would check out the Recon winches listed above first if you’re just looking for a low cost winch that is reliable winch. I just installed mine and could not be happier. My brother has one on his CJ and has used it several times without issue.
 
Yeah I would have really liked to have seen a XRC tested since that was my first choice.

That shootout makes a pretty strong case for the Engo, considering the price.
 
Funny this comes up, I was actually contacted a few weeks ago by some bullshit rep for Xdyna which apparently is another name for the Engo winch, She wanted me to advertise for them on the club website (free site, minimal traffic, etc...) I figured I would have some fun with it, told her there was no way I would advertise something without knowing about it, and since I was unable to find any trustworthy reviews I had even less interest, but said if she would send me a winch (free of charge ofcourse) I would gladly write up a review on how it worked for me.

She said she would get back to me, and said that was a possibility if her boss gave the OK. Im patiently waiting for my free winch, then Ill let you know lol
 
I also looked at the Engo winches after reading the review in Fourwheeler. However, like cltdba said, with the XRC8 being cheaper and well tested with many great reviews I decided there was no reason to gamble on the Engo
 
cj777 said:
I also looked at the Engo winches after reading the review in Fourwheeler. However, like cltdba said, with the XRC8 being cheaper and well tested with many great reviews I decided there was no reason to gamble on the Engo
Click to expand...

That's basically the conclusion I've come to. But I'll be going with the Warn VR series.
 
I just bought a Smitty XRC8000. $300 from Brandon down at Rides and even got FREE SHIPPING.

Got it put on last night. Nice winch, several people I wheel with use them without any problems.

My only complaint is the control. The plug in the control box is a "Plug and twist clockwise" kinda deal but doesn't lock in. Twist it too far or not far enough and it doesn't work. You can actualy turn it 180 and pull it out the wrong way! It would be nice if it turned and locked.
 
GREENCHEROKEE said:
I just bought a Smitty XRC8000. $300 from Brandon down at Rides and even got FREE SHIPPING.
Got it put on last night. Nice winch, several people I wheel with use them without any problems.
My only complaint is the control. The plug in the control box is a "Plug and twist clockwise" kinda deal but doesn't lock in. Twist it too far or not far enough and it doesn't work. You can actualy turn it 180 and pull it out the wrong way! It would be nice if it turned and locked.
Click to expand...

I haven't had a single problem with mine twisting too far. It seems to lock where it should go pretty well.
 
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