The Best UTV Winches Buying Guide

A winch is a tool that can help you pull heavy objects easily, but things can quickly go from bad to worse if you use the wrong winch for your application. This is why you shouldn't just use any type of winch to pull your UTV. The line could snap sending your UTV crashing back down the slope, or you might lose control of the line and it will lash around and strike you.

Before buying your UTV winch, there are several factors you need to evaluate and it's easy to do this by using a simple buying guide. We have done the homework for you, and have come up with some of the best features and considerations that will help you get the best one on the market. 

Why Do You Need a UTV Winch?

The beauty of off-roading is that it comes with many surprises so it's better to be prepared for anything that may come your way. When riding your UTV, it may run out of power, or it may get stuck on a rocky, muddy, or snowy surface. It's prudent to have a high-quality UTV winch on hand so you can pull your UTV out of those tough situations. 

So long as you have the UTV winch permanently attached to your UTV, you can use it to complete other manual jobs, including pulling a fence, moving farm equipment, or pulling any other heavy load when you are landscaping or farming. 

If you're out camping with your UTV, you can use the winch line as part of your survival equipment. For example, you can use it to remove fallen tree branches from your campsite or you can use it as a clothesline. 

• Pull obstacles out of the way. 
• Drag heavy loads behind you. 
• Use it for rescue missions to get vehicles unstuck. 
• It's a multi-purpose tool that can also be used on an ATV. 

The Most Common Types of UTV Winches

UTV Wrench in Action

There are two main types of winches: hydraulic and electric winches. Both types are compatible with most vehicles, and can be used to tow a UTV in any off-road environment. The differences are further discussed below.

Hydraulic 

Hydraulic winches are powered by the vehicle's steering pump. The steering pump creates hydraulic pressure that helps to run the motor. The hydraulic winch will continue to run as long as the engine is running, but won't draw power from your vehicle's electrical system.

However, it requires regular maintenance like monitoring the high-pressure lines and valves, topping off the hydraulic fluid in the winch, and maintaining the steering pump. You will be sacrificing first line speeds with hydraulic winches, but the benefit is most can be submerged in water without getting damaged.

Electric

Electric winches and powered by your vehicle's electrical system. It can either be driven with a series wound or a permanent magnet motor. A serious wound motor draws a lot of power from your UTV's electrical system, but is more reliable than a permanent magnet motor in the long run. A permanent magnet motor is the least expensive and most power-efficient option.

Electric winches are reliable and can work for as long as there's sufficient power from your vehicle's electrical system. They require little to no maintenance except keeping the winch clean to protect the internal components from corrosion. Most UTV winches on the market are electric winches. 

What to Consider When Buying a UTV Winch

UTV Winches Used to Pull Out Nissan from Dirt

Safety is our most important consideration when choosing UTV winches. With that in mind, we picked winches with strong pulling mechanisms and ones with a maximum load rating so the user can avoid overloading the winch. We also prioritized options with a wired or wireless remote control to allow the user to work at a safe distance.

We also prioritized versatile UTV winches that can be used to pull both ATVs and UTVs. Despite the fact that they are different types of machines, you can have one tool that works for both so long as it can handle the weight of the vehicle. 

It's also important to consider the price of the winch. If you're a frequent off-roader and you have a large UTV, expect to pay more for a heavy-duty UTV winch that can handle the demands of your vehicle. However, if you only need something that can help you pull your UTV out of mud or snow during recreational riding, then you can opt for a more budget-friendly option. 

The Most Important Features of UTV Winches

The UTV winches on the market come with different designs. If you haven't already grabbed your UTV winch, use the features discussed below to find the most suitable option for your off-road adventures.  

Motor Power

Most winches on the market are electrical winches that are driven by a motor. You want a unit with a motor that's powerful enough to tow your UTV, but doesn't draw too much power that it drains your battery or blows your engine. A safe bet would be going for a winch with a motor that's rated at about 1 to 1.5 horsepower. 

The best way to determine the appropriate motor power is to consider the size of your UTV and check the specs of your engine. For example, if your UTV weighs more than 3,000 pounds, then you will have to get a winch with a motor that's rated at 1.5 horsepower and above. Also, ensure that your engine can handle a winch that draws that much power. 

Towing Capacity

The towing capacity or the pulling power of the winch is the maximum load that the winch can handle without the rope or cable snapping. Ideally, you want a winch that can handle more than the weight of your UTV to cater to environmental factors that may increase the weight of the load. 

For example, a winch cable has a higher chance of snapping when pulling a UTV on a slope than when pulling the same UTV on a level surface. It can also be harder to pull the UTV when it's stuck in mud or deep snow. Therefore, you need to get a winch that caters to the extra weight that may come about from the environmental factors. Most winches on the market are rated at about 2,000 to 5,000 pounds so it should be easy to get one with the pulling power you need. 

Pulling Mechanism

UTV winches can either come with a steel cable or a synthetic rope. Steel cables are typically strong and long-lasting. Therefore, they can be used for heavy-duty pulling applications where you need to constantly use the winch to get your UTV unstuck. However, you need a high-powered motor and efficient gear system to control a steel cable since it can be dangerous if it snaps mid-tow. 

Synthetic ropes are more lightweight than steel and they do not rust. They are easier to control and can also be used to tow heavy loads weighing about 3,000 pounds. However, synthetic ropes fray easily and can at times kink when rolled on the drum. They are also not as long-lasting as steel cables. 

Mounting 

Some winches come with mounting kits while others don’t. If a mounting kit is provided, ensure that it is compatible with your UTV.  Also, consider if you want a permanent or a removable mounting kit. A permanent mounting kit can be a convenient option for frequent off-roader, but a removable one gives you the flexibility of using the winch on another vehicle. 

Best UTV Winches FAQ:

We understand that you may still have a few questions on UTVs, especially if it's your first time buying or using one. This is why we have included some answers to a few frequently asked questions by buyers. 

Where can I buy UTV winch replacement parts?

A: You can find a vast selection of replacement parts online. Be sure to buy replacement parts for the same type of winch you are using. For example, if you have a Warn winch, ensure that you buy replacement parts from Warn or parts advertised to be compatible with Warn winches. 

How do I determine which size UTV winch do I need?

A: If you mean the size of the actual winch, it should fit within your UTV's bumper. However, if you’re referring to its load rating, your best bet will be to choose a unit with a higher rating than your vehicle's actual weight. So, multiply your UTV's weight by 1.5 and get a winch with a similar load rating. 

What other accessories do I need to use together with UTV winches?

A: Basically, choose any accessory that will make using the winch easier. This could be mounting kits, extra hooks, alternative winch cables, a wireless remote control, or dash-mounted controls. 

Our Top Pick

We went with the Superwinch Terra 35 as our top pick mainly because it's easy to use and is powerful enough to pull heavy loads of about 3,500 pounds. It only adds 20 pounds to your UTV, and has a weatherproof design that can provide years of reliable service. 

Final Thoughts

The Superwinch Terra 35 can allow you to tackle heavy-duty tasks, but it's not the most budget-friendly option out there. This is why we recommend Rugcel ATV/UTV Winch. It's a more budget-friendly option that can help you pull loads up to 2,000 pounds. 

Sources:

1. Winch - Wikipedia