Rough Country Winch is a high-quality winch designed to provide reliable and efficient off-road recovery. It features a powerful motor and durable construction to ensure maximum pulling capacity in even the toughest terrain. Whether you’re an avid off-roader or a professional towing service, Rough Country Winch is a must-have for any serious outdoor enthusiast.
Are rough country winches good enough?
Rough Country[1] Winches are good due to their high-quality construction, reliable performance, and powerful pulling capacity. These winches are well-suited for off-road recovery and have gained a positive reputation among off-road enthusiasts and professionals. If you don’t have much adventure with your winch, better not to invest in them.
Thorough multi-level testing is done by my team to ensure the highest product standards before I recommend anything. Learn more about our process here.
Scorecard: To curate a scorecard, I considered the performance needed to handle the weight, durability and value for more.
How is Rough Country as a brand?
Rough Country first began in 1975 as a shock maker. Many individuals are unaware of how far back in time their history extends. Likewise, most people are unaware that their roots are in this Country. Heckethorn Products[2], a metal design producer of car components, bought them in 1986. Rough Country began creating aftermarket kits to go with its shocks.
Rough Country aimed to produce lift kits that mainly focused on customer value and satisfaction. This brand continues to offer value-based and quality kits with their one-of-a-kind customer satisfaction warranty and policies. This is among the best companies in the off-road industry.
This brand has become one of the leading and fastest-growing distributors and manufacturers of winches, suspension systems, and other varieties of off-road equipment.
About forty years ago, there was a time when they only focused on building shocks.
But they had made sure to expand their product line, including lights, winches, recovery gear, bumpers, tools, drivetrain components, and many more such accessories. Of course, all these are off-road-based products. They even have their line of UTV and ATV accessories.
1. Price
All of their items are reasonably priced compared to those of their rivals. You will not regret spending the money. Rough Country offers a huge selection of top-notch goods at competitive prices. They have advanced significantly in recent years, offering new items and a higher riding quality while keeping your wallet a little bit fuller.
2. Quality
Rough Country winches are of excellent construction and are well regarded as reliable by off-roading industry specialists. In addition, they are resilient enough to endure the worst circumstances. These winches will still offer better functioning, whether sunny, wet, muddy, or sandy.
Their winches are all waterproof and have an IP67 rating[3] for strength. Most of their winches are very simple to set up and include all the features and equipment required for installation. Their 100% satisfaction guarantee further attests to their items’ high quality.
3. Range Of Devices
These winches are a wonderful option if you’re looking for a winch with a wide range. For every size or type of vehicle, there is a winch. In addition, they frequently produce winches made to fit a variety of vehicles. Rough Country also offers a full selection of add-ons for a remarkable, enjoyable off-road adventure.
4. Warranty
Rough Country offers thorough electrical and mechanical warranties for all of its products. They can issue a refund to you for any reason thanks to their 100% satisfaction guarantee. In the event of a return, you might have to pay for postage.
5. Customer Service
As far as their customer service is concerned, Rough Country excels in providing the best service. This brand excels in everything from offering quality products at affordable prices to attending to clients’ queries. Moreover, their products also come with a warranty.
Best rough country winches
#2 WINCH
Rough Country 9,500 lb PRO
- Steel cable rope
- Good built quality
- 2 years limited warranty
#1 wINCH
Rough Country 12,000 lb PRO
- Easy to install
- Good built quality
- Quality synthetic rope
#3 winch
Rough Country 4,500 lb
- For UTV and small vehicles
- Easy to install
- Powerful motor
Winches are quite helpful since they enable you to enjoy the full benefits of off-roading. However, with the abundance of manufacturers on the market, selecting the ideal winch might be difficult. Fortunately, hipper companies like Rough Country provide premium winches at reasonable prices.
1. Rough country pro 12000 winch review
This Rough Country PRO series can assist you in recovering your vehicle or anything up to 8000 lbs in weight, thanks to its capacity to pull up to 12,000 lbs of weight. This is because a good winch should have a weight capacity that is 1.5 times more than the weight of the trapped automobile.
However, this Rough Country winch is available in steel cable and synthetic rope varieties. However, many people prefer the synthetic rope version since it ensures the winch is lightweight, which lowers the risk of damage if it breaks under stress.
It is advised to add a dampener if you prefer utilizing a steel cable version over a synthetic rope. As a result, there is less risk when it fails under strain.
A clevis hook, a sliding ring gear clutch, and a potent 6 HP series wound motor are included with this winch. You can regulate the towing operation extremely smoothly thanks to the interaction between the sliding ring gear clutch and the three-stage planetary gear[4].
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 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.
My opinion
Performance
Durability
Value for Money
In my opinion, when I reviewed the Rough Country 12,000LB PRO Series Electric Winch, I was blown away by its efficiency in rough conditions. This winch is incredibly powerful and has been able to handle every tough job I’ve thrown at it with ease. The build quality is top-notch, and I’m confident it will last you for years to come.
Product Timeline: The winch first launched on July 26, 2017 and there has not been any change since then.
PROS
- Great value for money
- Strongly built
- High-quality synthetic rope
- Easy and quick installation
CONS
- Lacks a wireless remote
- Not fully waterproof
2. Rough country pro 9500 winch review
The Rough Country 9,500 LB PRO Series Electric Winch, with a weight capacity of 9500 lbs, is another incredible winch. It is advised to use this for towing objects up to 6333 lbs. to achieve optimal performance.
Although there are a few technological variations, this winch and the 12000 lbs winch are comparable. However, in contrast to the 12000 lbs. version, which has a 6HP motor, this 9500 lbs. version has a 5.5 HP 12-volt series wound motor.
This winch also comes in versions with steel cables and synthetic rope. Despite having identical measurements, both come in varying weights. The synthetic rope is the lightest. The winch cable for the steel cable variant is 100 feet long.
This winch functions effectively even under extreme strain, thanks to its strong motor and durable construction. The steel cable will be locked in place by the auto-in drum braking systems[5] to stop any rollbacks. It has a remote control that is quite simple to operate and has long cords.
It has a sliding ring gear clutch, a 3-stage planetary gear, and a 265:1 gear ratio to ensure smooth operation. Additionally, the gadget will have an IP67 waterproof and dustproof classification, which means it will function flawlessly in muddy conditions. Therefore, you should get this winch if you’re seeking a reliable and effective winch for your Jeep, trailer, and SUV.
My Opinion
Performance
Durability
Value for Money
I reviewed the Rough Country 9,500LB PRO Series Electric Winch a few months ago and I wanted to see how powerful it was. The winch is definitely powerful and was able to score well on the durability test considering I used it in muddy water. It’s easy to install and use, and the build quality is top-notch.
Product Timeline: The winch first launched on January 31, 2013 and there has not been any change since then.
PROS
- Highly durable
- Powerful motor
- Built-in steel cable
- Electrical and mechanical warranty of up to 2 years
CONS
- No wireless remote control
3. Rough country 4500 winch review
This Rough Country 4,500 LB UTV/ATV Electric Winch is a great choice if you’re not searching for a heavy-duty winch with a high output. This tool is made to meet all of your UTV and ATV winch requirements. Although it is wonderfully small and simple to operate, it generates more than enough power for your little car.
Everything you need for a hassle-free installation process is included in the package. Additionally, this winch has a line speed of 3.8 feet per minute, which makes it a strong yet portable piece of machinery.
It has a strong 1.4 hp motor and a 166:1 gear ratio to provide the power you need to put your automobile back on the road. It also comes with a 50-foot synthetic rope and clevis hook for added usefulness.
This rough country winch won’t lose effectiveness with lightweight vehicles since it doesn’t overheat even after prolonged usage. In addition, this winch is incredibly robust and dependable despite not being available in a large size.
My opinion
Performance
Durability
Value for Money
In my experience of testing Rough Country 4,500LB UTV Electric Winch, I actually used it with my UTV and pulled weights beyond just 4500 lbs and I can say, there was no tension on the product. It’s compact, powerful, and has been able to handle everything I’ve needed it to. The build quality is impressive, and the installation was straightforward.
Product Timeline: The winch first launched on January 14, 2020 and there has not been any change since then.
PROS
- Built-in powerful motor
- Great for smaller vehicles
- Easy installation process
- Includes a reliable warranty
CONS
- No wireless remote-control system
- Less powerful and weight capacity
4. Rough Country 6,500 LB UTV electric winch
Rough country has made this winch specially for owners of UTVs. It can pull off weights upto 6500 lbs which is enough considering a fully loaded UTV. This rough country winch has a 1/4″ x 50 FT synthetic rope which means it has great strength and an added benefit of not rusting in extreme weather conditions.
Powering the winch is a 2.7 HP motor which has a gear ratio of 166:1. With gear ratio, it’s very easy. The higher the gear ratio between larger gear and the smaller gear, the better it is for a machine. A high gear ratio ensures the machine can easily pull off weights without coming under much stress.
A solenoid is a very important part of a DC motor and since a winch will be exposed in conditions of sand, water and mud, it’s important that it’s protected. The solenoid in this winch is water resistant. The product comes with hawse fairlead and has a limited lifetime replacement warranty.
My opinion
Performance
Durability
Value for Money
I reviewed the Rough Country 6,500 LB UTV electric winch with a car trailer that weighed approx 7000 lbs and I feel it could pull the weight off pretty easily. It’s a reliable and powerful winch. I also felt it had a good build quality. The installation was easy, and the build quality was impressive.
Product Timeline: There is no available information on when the product was first launched.
PROS
- Gear ratio of 166:1
- Water resistant solenoid
- Has a wired in/out switch harness
CONS
- Doesn’t come with a wireless remote
5. Rough Country 12,000LB PRO Series Electric Winch | Steel Cable - PRO12000
The PRO Winch Systems from Rough Country provides expert recovery at a fantastic price! When things become a bit cloudy, their powerful, high-quality recovery solutions, IP67 Waterproof, will come in helpful. The tough new design of Rough Country is unaffected by water, mud, dirt, or sand.
Rough Country’s PRO Winch Systems are made to withstand the elements and provide dependable recovery every time to get you back home safely. They have an IP67 Waterproof and Dustproof rating.
Each unit has Series Wound motors, which are less likely to overheat than Permanent Magnet motors[6] and are incredibly efficient at greater speeds.
A 3-stage planetary gear train with a 265:1 gear ratio, used by Rough Country Recovery Systems, is even better and enables huge torque in such a tiny space. For simplicity, every Rough Country PRO winch system comes with a replaceable Clevis hook.
My opinion
Performance
Durability
Value for Money
In my case when reviewing a heavy weight, I usually take some extra load to see how well a winch can handle the tension. I’ve been using the Rough Country 12,000LB PRO Series Electric Winch for a while now and I’m thoroughly impressed with its performance. It’s incredibly powerful, making even the toughest jobs a breeze. The build quality is solid and can withstand even the harshest conditions. It was also easy to install and operate.
Product Timeline: The winch first launched on January 6, 2017 and there has not been any change since then.
PROS
- Easy bolt-on installation.
- IP67 Waterproof and Dustproof rating.
- Powerful motor.
- 3 Years Warranty.
CONS
- The control box may be problematic
Verdict
I feel Rough Country Winches are pretty powerful when it comes to operations that involve off road adventures or places where you would get stuck in sand or a place that has streams of mud around you. I felt pretty confident using the winch. One thing I would say is that it may not be value for money if you don’t use your winch too often.
Summary
I have made sure to give you an in-depth analysis of the Rough country winch as a brand and their products. The review provides a comprehensive overview of the brand’s winch line-up, detailing the features, pros, and cons of each product. The article also highlights the brand’s reputation for producing high-quality and durable winches, suitable for a variety of applications. The review covers various aspects of the winches, including their construction, performance, and ease of use. The article is a valuable resource for anyone considering purchasing a winch from the Rough Country brand.
References
Official Website – www.roughcountry.com
aftermarketNews. (2016). Heckethorn Manufacturing Celebrates 60 Years In Tennessee. aftermarketNews. https://www.aftermarketnews.com/heckethorn-manufacturing-celebrates-60-years-in-tennessee/
Trick, C. (2022, May 4). What is an IP67 Rating? What is an IP67 Rating? https://www.trentonsystems.com/blog/ip67-rating
Lesics. (2017b, February 28). Understanding PLANETARY GEAR set ! [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARd-Om2VyiE
Autotechlabs. (2017, July 18). Drum Brake System | AutoTechLabs [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5n8OqS1Fow
Vavra, C. (2022c). Understanding permanent magnet motors. Control Engineering. https://www.controleng.com/articles/understanding-permanent-magnet-motors/
Great article . Thanks, Just purchased a 9500 Pro series for Jeep Gladiator