Last Updated on June 6, 2021
An off-road enthusiast does not need any formal introduction about the despair when their vehicles get stuck in terrains or mud.
To get off these troubles, the best tools that come quite handy are the winches.
I am going to review the Viper winch today. It is one of the classy winches at a budget price with durable build quality and high pulling capacities. I have considered the top six best Viper winches I came across.
Also Read:
Alternative winches you can also check: X Bull Winch/ Smittybit Winch/ Zeak Winch/ Zesuper Winch/ Warn vantage & Provantage winch
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Top 6 Viper Winch Reviews
The top 6 viper winches on this list offer a premium range of features at an affordable price. These products are durable, long lasting and are easy to install. Let’s get to the detailed review.
1. Viper 13000lb Winch Review
The first product on my list is the 13,000 lb capacity viper winch. As the name states, it has the highest rated line pull power of all the products on your list. Its 85 feet galvanized steel wire aids in high pulling power.
The Viper winch 12,000 lb is one of the best winches available out there in the market. It can pull trucks, SUVs, ATV and UTVs with ease.
One of the best features is the ability to switch with synthetic wire. But you need to use hawse fairlead mechanism if you wish to use synthetic cable. The default roller fairlead mechanism works flawlessly with the galvanized steel cable.
The wireless remote works well within a range of 20 feet, but once you exceed this distance, the reception isn’t quite high. Another flaw, according to me, is the non-integrated solenoid. I usually do not relocate the solenoid, and hence I prefer an integrated one.
If you are one of those who frequently relocate the solenoid, it is a plus for you. The cover on the winch does not make it completely waterproof, but it can prevent the water splashes.
Pros
- 13,000 lb pulling power
- A three-stage planetary gear system
- Roller fairlead mechanism
- Waterproof cover
- Wireless and wired remote control
- 85 feet galvanized steel cable
- Can be used with synthetic rope as well
- Automatic braking system
Cons
- Replacement parts are difficult to find in the market
2. Viper 12000lb Winch Review
The Viper winch 12,000 lb is an excellent option for most of the hardcore users. Make sure that this winch does not get exposed to water splashes or jets as it does not have an IP67 rating.
The Viper winch 12,000 lb variant has all the premium features I seek for in a winch. The synthetic rope is the buying factor for me. As the synthetic cord does not store kinetic energy, there is less chance of recoil, and hence it prevents potential injuries that are observed with the galvanized steel rope.
Not a fan of synthetic rope? Then, you can easily switch to the steel rope and replace the hawse fairlead mechanism with the roller.
Although I am inclined to use this winch with a synthetic rope, I am being forced to use steel cable because roller fairlead can damage the synthetic rope if there are any sharp edges or abrasions. It comes to personal choice, whether if you want a roller or a hawse for synthetic rope.
The wireless remote can keep your distance from any potential injury while handling the winch. Similar to other remotes, this one is no exception in terms of poor reception with increasing distance. You can use the wired remote instead.
Pros
- 12,000 lb rated line pull
- 85 feet synthetic rope
- A three-stage planetary gear system
- Wireless and wired remote
- Automatic braking system
- A sliding ring with gear
Cons
- As with the 13,000 lb variant, the accessories for this winch are also challenging to find
3. Viper 8500 lb Winch Review
The Viper recovery 8500 lb winch is an average winch for moderate to daily users. It has excellent features that a premium winch has, but some apparent flaws make it fall behind the race.
This midrange Viper winch with a rated line pull of 8500 lbs is suitable for most regular and casual users. It has 85 feet galvanized steel cable and an automatic load-holding brake system.
To my despair, this winch has a hawse fairlead mechanism. If the winch supports a galvanized steel rope, a roller fairlead is an ideal option. But Moto alliance has opted for a hawse, which isn’t to my liking.
The best part of this winch is the weatherproof circuit breaker. If there is an accidental splash of water or mud, the winch will cut off the power to prevent damage to the circuit. With that said, it can be understood that it is not waterproof.
There is a wireless remote which can help you to keep your safe distance while operating. The automatic brake holding system will further enhance your safety. If you are a person who relocates solenoid frequently, this winch is not for you because you cannot transfer it.
Pros
- 8500 lb capacity
- A three-stage planetary gear system
- Weatherproof circuit breaker
- 85 feet galvanized steel cable
- Automatic braking system
- Free spooling clutch
Cons
- Hawse fairlead mechanism
4. Viper Max 6000lb ATV/UTV Winch Review
The Viper Max 6000 lb winch is an excellent winch for hardcore and moderate users. It is best suited for terrain vehicles and will deliver outstanding performance.
The Viper Max AT/UTV winch is another mid-range winch in my list with extraordinary features. It has a 6000 lb rated line pull, which makes it an ideal partner for ATVs and UTVS. You can get your terrain vehicle out of any puddle with ease.
When I used it on my Yamaha ATV, I subjected it to water jets and splashes, and yet it did well; Thanks to the IP67 rated waterproof system. The only flaw I could find is the length of the galvanized steel rope. Fifty-two feet isn’t small, but for a winch with 6000 lb pulling power, it could have been longer.
With 9 feet wired remote, you can operate this winch from a safer distance. There is no wireless remote option, and for me, it isn’t a major flaw. These wireless remotes have poor reception as the distance increases.
Unlike the 8500 lb model, this winch has a roller fairlead mechanism and is a big plus.
Pros
- 6000 lb rated line pull
- IP67 rated waterproof
- A three staged planetary gear
- Roller fairlead mechanism
- 52 feet galvanized steel cable
- Solenoid not integrated
- Wired remote control
- A rocker handlebar included in the kit for mounting to various ATVs and UTVs.
Cons
- No wireless remote
- The cable length could have been longer
5. Viper 4500 lb Midnight ATV/UTV Winch Review
The midnight version of Viper winch is a good winch because it has a high rated line pull and a synthetic rope. Similar to the Max series, the midnight variant is best suitable for ATVs and UTVs.
The Viper midnight 4500 lb is a mid-range winch. It has a synthetic rope that can withstand all weather conditions and does not have recoil.
A synthetic line with IP67 rated winch motor would make this device a perfect choice for most users. Unfortunately, the winch is not IP67 rated, yet it manages to survive a few splashes of water.
There is no wireless remote in this winch, and it can be a big minus for hardcore users. Since there is a wireless remote switch/sensor, you can buy it separately. The automatic brake holding system will help in preventing damage to the rope and the winch.
The solenoid is non-integrated, which means you can relocate it at your will. Other standard features of this 4500 lb sythetic rope winch include a three-stage planetary gear system, a free spooling clutch, and a hawse fairlead mechanism.
Pros
- 4500 lb rated line pull
- 50 feet synthetic rope
- A three-stage planetary gear system
- An automatic brake holding mechanism
- Free spooling clutch
- Wireless remote switch
- Non-integrated solenoid
Cons
- No wireless remote
6. Viper 4000lb Elite UTV Winch Review
The final product on my list is the Elite series of Viper winch. The Elite series of Viper winch is an ideal choice for off-road enthusiasts. Its waterproof system, wireless remote, and synthetic rope make it an excellent off-road winch.
I should say it is an underdog who has extraordinary features. The 65 feet synthetic rope can withstand all weather conditions and does not produce any recoil like the steel rope.
The wireless remote is an additional plus to the winch. With the wireless remote, you can maintain a safe distance to avoid any potential injuries. An automatic load-holding system will give extra safety features to the winch.
This winch has a hawse fairlead mechanism. As stated earlier, I am not a big fan of hawse fairlead, but it is an ideal choice for a synthetic rope winch. The IP67 rated waterproof system is an excellent addon for this winch. I was able to use this winch in submerged water conditions without any trouble.
Since the solenoid is not integrated, you are free to relocate at your will.
Pros
- 4000 lb rated line pull
- IP67 rated waterproof
- Wireless remote
- A three-stage planetary gear system
- 65 feet synthetic rope
- An automatic brake holding mechanism
- Free spooling clutch
- Solenoid not integrated
Cons
- A bit pricey
Conclusion
The Viper series of winches offer a wide variety of options in their products. Except for the Max variants, you will get a wireless remote in all variants. Since most of them have an IP67 waterproofing system, quality is great at that price range, makes them worth buy.
If your budget is not that high, you can go for Viper winches without any doubt. They won’t disappoint you.
About the Brand
Viper winches are manufactured by Moto Alliance, a firm with its office based on Minnesota. Over some time, the company gained a tremendous fanbase as they thrive on producing quality products.
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I’m Daniel Galbreath, founder of OffRoadersWorld.
I spend my spare time writing on this website, OffRoaders World. I share my thoughts and reviews on different types of gears, share tips sometimes. This website is specially created and regularly updated basically to help other folks like me when I started to solve the various problems they face, specially when they go off-roading.