Q: Which winch should I get?

A: Depends on where you ride and if you use it a lot. I recommend a higher capacity winch, like Warn or Ramsey rated for 2500 or 3000 lbs. I have actually needed all the force my Warn A2500 (discontinued) can provide. 2500 lbs may seem like a lot, but bigger winches can pull lighter forces faster that small ones. So, I believe you will be happier with more winch than less. If you don't think you will use it much, get a smaller one or even get a hand operated one (better than nothing). The warn 2.5ci and 3.0ci are sealed, and will work better for people that ride in water and mud a lot.

Q: Why does my winch come with a giant, hard to mount, hard to operate switch?

A: The winch uses a large amount of battery current and needs large switch contacts. Some ATV winches can draw over 200 amps under full load. Cheaper winch kits just have a BIG switch, while the better kits have a small switch. The reason the nicer winch kits can use a small switch is because they also have a device called a contacter, which is basically a dual pole, dual throw (DPDT) relay. This contacter provides the current for the winch, while the smaller switch just signals the contacter. You can convert any winch kit with the large "switchosaurus" to use a nice small switch by purchasing the contacter (I know you can get the Warn contacter from a variety of distributors). I highly recommend the small switch with contacter for use with a plow.

Q: Should I get a multi-mount?

A: If you winch a lot, you may consider it. I winch quite a bit and never found the need.

Q: Shouldn't the winch be higher than the usual location on the 650?

A: No, that makes your quad tip if the cable isn't pulling straight forward. Bad, Bad, Bad. Also, if you mount your winch protruding forward, it makes your machine harder to fit in trucks and trailers. If your ATV has a factory spot for a winch, use it because you will like it there.

Q: Doesn't the winch get damaged by mud down low where the 650 has it

A: It does not get damaged very fast and will provide a lot of service, but mud gets inside it and you should clean it depending on the amount of serious mud rides. Most people would need to clean it every 2 years or so, others that ride mud all the time every 6 months. The Warn 2.5ci and 3.0ci are waterproof.

Q: Should I get a wireless remote control?

A: It is nice, you may consider it. Most people don't feel the need. Usually the guy that is stuck doesn't use his winch and his pals throw him their cable. They winch, while the stuck guy drives. You do have more options with a remote. The 2 most important things are don't ride alone and dont ride without a winch. The wireless remotes have distance limitations. The wired remote switches stink, in my opinion, since you have to pull the wire out of a compartment and then plug it in to use it. The wireless remote could be carried in a pocket.

Q: My cable turned into a knot on the winch spool.

A: Always provide tension on the cable when retracting. Usually improper retracting is the reason the cable did bad things.

Q: My winch freespool switch broke (inside winch).

A: Never switch to freespool when there is cable tension. Always release tension on the cable before flipping to freespool.

Q: The end of the cable is all frayed but the rest is OK.

A: I cut the damaged part off with wire cutters and used cable crimps and a wire rope crimper thatI got at Home Depot for $20 to fix it. It is now shorter, but it still works.