Last night my stepdad borrowed my truck to help move a relative. It was a rainy night and my pap got his f250 stuck and they attempted to use my winch to pull it out. They pulled the line out and were ready to start and the winch's motor wouldn't run. They ended up just using the truck and pulled it out but I went out early this morning to see if I could troubleshoot it. I couldnt make any head way and just decided to use my warranty.

This is where harbor freight comes in, I took the winch up and they didnt ask what happened. Simply whether or not I had the extended warranty(I did) and replaced it within minutes. They didn't have another 9k lb winch so they gave me a 12k instead.

I just wanted to share my story of harbor freights great costumer service.

 

That is about as lucky as you can get.

 

Sounds like a sweet deal! Hope the 12K one will last a little longer! How long is the warranty good for?

 

Nice! That's awesome they upgraded your winch!

 

that's pretty cool.

 

It comes with a 90 day warranty, but I had bought the 2 yr no questions asked extended warranty.(50 bucks)
I know, im impressed with harbor freight.
Yeah I was thinking they'd just order a 9k haha

 

Four Wheeler Magazine did a winch test and said the harbor freight winch did not even make it past there first test. Don't be surprised if it happens again.
http://www.fourwheeler.com/techartic...out/index.html

 

Wow, talk about biased in that winch test. They say the $1500 warn winch is the best when it grenaded. Then the $330 engo winch gets 4th and it still worked after all the tests.

 

I had a harbor frieght winch for a season on my blue quad. worked when it wanted to.
but either way, sounds like you were lucky.

 

lol exactly what i was thinking

 

That test was complete junk. They favored their advertisers so heavily. Count the Warn ads in their magazine and you will see why they said they were first. Warn couldn't even finish the test.

 

Harbor freight is a perfect example of you get what you pay for.

 

Everyone should own a WARN Winch… lol.

PAShooter,
Did you test out the new winch to see if it runs; you should at least unspool and re-spool the wire once just to seat it in. Make sure the first layer is tight, connect on to an immovable object and pull you truck, up hill preferably.
Is it covered when not in use ?
Use Dielectric grease on the electrical connections and make sure the wiring is sized for the total draw of the winch. Sometimes the OEM wiring is on the small side and it pays to go big with a winch.

 

Yeah, I stretched the line, I coat the wire in wd40 as its pulled back in.

I made a cover this time so maybe that will help.

And what do you mean the wiring? The big 3? Because the winch wiring is completely separate from the trucks.

 

Good you hav ethe winch working then ?

You got the wiring setup ok.

BUT, the "Big Three" not sure what that is... .

Let me know ?

 

I think hes talking about the main power and ground wire for the winch. to make them bigger.

as for the big 3. its increasing the awg size of the alternator power, alternator ground, and battery ground

 

Yep, its working great, this whether let me test it out pulling out 3 cars in ditchs.

Yes, thats what I meant.

Right now I have the winch connected using the wiring that came with it...not sure what size it is.

 

OK then, got it, the Big Three.

I overkill on wiring so I mentioned the larger stuff.
What comes with it IS suppose to work, I like to second guess the manufacturers.

Luck with the new winch.