Opinions on Smittybilt XRC 8 Winch

bowtieman55

bowtieman55

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2006
Location
Edenton, NC
Cheap, slow, works.

Cant say much else about them.

Definitely worth it for something where speed is less important, and you won't be using it every day.

Edit: never had any problem out of mine..... it has held up well.
 
I bought one to put in a reciever mount on the front of my trailer & truck hitch...only used a couple times so far.
Seems to work good for that purpose.

Warn 8274 Only...for the front of the Jeep though.

:beer:
 
I have two. I don't think they're all that slow. One has crapped out on me but it was also the display at 4 wheel parts. Took it into Will today and he and Ryan hooked me up with the parts. They have a 2 year parts only warranty. Works great for my needs. I use one on the front of my Jeep and one is mounted in a receiver cradle.

Pulled an 11,000 pound Winnebago onto my trailer with no problems.
 
IMO There the best on the market $$$value wise...Ive had 2 that ive picked up in the 250.00 range..NIB. They may be slow but who gives a hoot? They work and hold up and Customer service is very good.
 
The synthetic line doesn't change a thing as far as use other than making it much easier to spool and unspool. Unless you came across a good deal on the package deal with the fairlead then I wouldn't buy it as a package. I'd buy the regular xrc8 and then find you a synthetic rope elsewhere. They want like an extra 225 for rope and fairlead. That's just too much in my opinion. There are synthetic ropes that pop up here on nc4x4 for $100-$150 from time to time.
 
cltdba said:
The synthetic line doesn't change a thing as far as use other than making it much easier to spool and unspool. Unless you came across a good deal on the package deal with the fairlead then I wouldn't buy it as a package. I'd buy the regular xrc8 and then find you a synthetic rope elsewhere. They want like an extra 225 for rope and fairlead. That's just too much in my opinion. There are synthetic ropes that pop up here on nc4x4 for $100-$150 from time to time.
Click to expand...

I have see them for around $450 for the package deal, The XRC8 is $299 and thats an extra $150 for the Rope and fairlead, Which I thought was fair.
 
That is a fair deal and I'd pay that for it. :beer: Wouldn't pay much more though. Where'd you see this deal at? I wonder if they'd sell the synthetic rope kit for a discounted price?
 
I hope they are good I just bought a XRC8 which I went with the steel cable I may up grade later if it gives me any trouble. Do you use a different fairlead with rope?
 
mmcj7 said:
I hope they are good I just bought a XRC8 which I went with the steel cable I may up grade later if it gives me any trouble. Do you use a different fairlead with rope?
Click to expand...

Yes one like this

awww.shrockworks.com_Forum_Images_ShrockWorks_Aluminum_Fairlead.jpg
 
They are a hell of a lot faster than a milemarker(talk about slow) I put a 10K on my YJ and so far not problems at all.
 
Got the xrc10 when they were running a deal for $350.

The controller crapped out on me but other then that it has always worked when I needed it. Smittybilt was real good about getting me fixed up.
 
4wheelonline.com has them for the best prices I have found. Here is the XRC8 w/the synthetic line for $459.95 with free shipping...

http://4wheelonline.com/Smittybilt_XRC_8_Comp_Series_Winch.132694.445380

They also have the XRC10 comp series which is what I bought for $504.95. I actually called winchdepot.com which is 4WP and ask for a price match and they gladly did it. Long story short I bought my XRC10 from 4WP in Charlotte for $504.95 plus tax and picked it up the same day. Also, if you are interested 4WP also offers a lifetime warranty in addition to the mfg. warranty for a small price. I bought it for mine just so I know that if anything happens to mine I am covered.

I hope that helped.
 
I've been thinking about buying one of these too, and have been looking at the one with the synthetic line too for weight reasons since this will go on the front of my Samurai.
For all of those talking about winch speeds, I did some investigating of the XRC8 and some other popular models, and here is what I have found. I listed them in order of speed from fastest to slowest based on no load line speed.

Model, Speed (ft/min)
8274, 73.4
HS9500, 62
M8,000, 42
XD9000, 38
XRC8, 37.2
REP8,000, 36
M12,000, 30
LP8,500, 18
PEC8,000, 13
HF8,000, 13

LP = Superwinch model
PEC = Milemarker
HF = Harbor Freight on that last one.
 
My xrc8 I pretty quick in my opinion. It's much faster than the mile markers I've seen. Just had my first problem with it. My clutch broke and it will only spool out. Under warranty so no big deal other than the hassle of it. Mine was also a display model which may have had something to so with it giving out quickly. That's usually the first thing people play with when they see them on the shelves.
 
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