Warn VR EVO 8-S Winch 103251 Specs

Rated capacity	8000 lbs. @ 6 ft/min
Max GVWR	5333 lbs.
Power	12V Electric
Model number	103251
Weight	54 lb
Line	90' 3/8" Synthetic
Size	21" X 6.3" X 10.1"
Attributes	Electric IP68 Wireless Synthetic
Price	@4 Wheel Parts @Amazon
Deals	Get a free Smittybilt Winch Link ($72 value) with purchase of a just-released Gen3 winch. Coupon code: 10% off $500 or more at 4 Wheel Parts (SD4WP10OFF) Coupon code: 5% off entire purchase at 4 Wheel Parts (4WPAFEXAPR5)

4500lb winches > 8000lb winches > 9500lb winches

Other Warn winches

Last updated: Aug 27, 2019

Warn VR EVO 8-S Winch 103251 Max Weight Capacity ↑TOP

Maximum Vehicle Weight

You need a winch with a capacity of at least: 6750 Pounds

With your GVWR of 4500 pounds this winch is strong enough for your vehicle. This winch's capacity is times your GVWR.

Manufacturers recommend a winch capacity 1.5-2 times your GVWR.

Winch Pulling Power vs. Cable Layers

In our chart, you can see that this winch, like all winches, is more powerful with fewer wraps of cable on the drum.

If you need more pulling power, use a winch anchor that's further away or use a snatch block.

More spooled out winch line = More pulling power!

⚠ Safety issue! The first layer should always have at least 5 wraps of cable on the winch drum when the winch is under load.

Warn VR EVO 8-S Winch 103251 Pulling Power per Cable Layer

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Warn VR EVO 8-S Winch 103251 Pulling Power per Cable Layer
Cable Layers	Pounds
1	8000 lbs.
2	6716 lbs.
3	5788 lbs.
4	5085 lbs.

Warn VR EVO 8-S Winch 103251 Winch Lines ↑TOP

In the next chart, we look at when different winch line configurations will break when you use the Warn VR EVO 8-S Winch 103251.

Stock winch line: 90' 3/8" diameter Synthetic

Winch lines break because they get overloaded.

Synthetic winch lines have higher breaking strengths than steel for a given diameter.

Some wheelers switch their winch line - some go up a size in synthetic (i.e. 5/16" to 3/8") to get more strength. Others will go down a size (i.e. 3/8" to 5/16") to get extra length while choosing a synthetic winch rope that has at least as much strength as the factory steel cable.

Tips

If you're really stuck, help your winch motor and winch line by either digging/moving dirt or repositioning your rig with a Hi-Lift Jack.
A double winch line using a snatch block is much safer (though slower) than a single winch line.
Use a winch line damper.

Winch Line Breaking Strength vs. Your GVWR

Warn VR EVO 8-S Winch 103251 Power ↑TOP

Power Type	Electric
Motor Voltage	12V
Gear Ratio	218:1
Gear system	3 Stage Planetary
Clutch	Rotating Ring Gear
Brake	Spring
Fastest linespeed	24.8 ft/min pulling 0 lbs.
Slowest linespeed	6 ft/min pulling 8000 lbs.

We recommend electric winches for most fourwheelers.

Electric winches will work without the engine running, which may be necessary in certain situations like a rollover or with a water-flooded engine.

Winch Load vs. Motor Amperage and Line Speed

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Warn VR EVO 8-S Winch 103251 Line Speed and Amp Draw Under Load
Load	Linespeed	Amp draw
0 lbs.	24.8 feet/minute	57 A
2000 lbs.	13.1 feet/minute	122 A
4000 lbs.	9.6 feet/minute	183 A
6000 lbs.	7.6 feet/minute	242 A
8000 lbs.	6 feet/minute	298 A

Warn VR EVO 8-S Winch 103251 Control ↑TOP

Remote

Wired remote?	✔
Wired remote lead length	12'
Wireless remote?	✔

Winches come with a wired remote, a wireless remote, or both.

Wireless remotes work at a further distance than wired remotes, and have no cables that get snagged. You do need to make sure that the batteries have a charge.

Control Pack

Control pack type	Contactor
Control pack pin count	5

Your winch remote actually controls a control pack that uses either solenoids or contactors.

Solenoids are older technology, so you find them on older and budget winches.

Contactor packs are newer technology and are found on newer winches.

Warn VR EVO 8-S Winch 103251 Dimensions ↑TOP

Winch

Length	21"
Depth	6.3"
Height	10.1"
Weight	54 lb

Fairlead

Fairlead type	Steel hawse
Fairlead mount distance	10"

You can use an aluminum hawse fairlead ONLY with synthetic winch rope. Steel winch cable will destroy an aluminum hawse.

You can use a steel roller fairlead with steel winch cable or synthetic winch rope.

However, note that every winch rope manufacturer DOES recommend that you switch to an aluminum hawse. This is likely because used steel roller fairleads often have gouges and burrs that can damage a synthetic winch rope.