Warn VR12-S Winch 97035 Specs

Rated capacity	12000 lbs. @ 3.6 ft/min
Max GVWR	8000 lbs.
Power	5 HP 12V Electric
Model number	97035
Weight	62 lb
Line	90' 3/8" Synthetic
Size	21.8" X 6.3" X 9.8"
Attributes	Electric Not Waterproof Wired Synthetic
Price	@Amazon
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10000lb winches > 12000lb winches > 13000lb winches

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Last updated: Aug 28, 2019

Warn VR12-S Winch 97035 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 VR12-S Winch 97035 Pulling Power per Cable Layer

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Warn VR12-S Winch 97035 Pulling Power per Cable Layer
Cable Layers	Pounds
1	12000 lbs.
2	11120 lbs.
3	10340 lbs.
4	9770 lbs.
5	9250 lbs.

Warn VR12-S Winch 97035 Winch Lines ↑TOP

In the next chart, we look at when different winch line configurations will break when you use the Warn VR12-S Winch 97035.

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 VR12-S Winch 97035 Power ↑TOP

Power Type	Electric
Motor Voltage	12V
Gear Ratio	216:1
Gear system	3 Stage Planetary
Clutch	Sliding Ring Gear
Brake	Automatic Direct Drive Cone
Fastest linespeed	28.4 ft/min pulling 0 lbs.
Slowest linespeed	3.6 ft/min pulling 12000 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 VR12-S Winch 97035 Line Speed and Amp Draw Under Load
Load	Linespeed	Amp draw
0 lbs.	28.4 feet/minute	65 A
2000 lbs.	12.6 feet/minute	144 A
4000 lbs.	9.5 feet/minute	215 A
6000 lbs.	7.5 feet/minute	281 A
8000 lbs.	5.8 feet/minute	349 A
10000 lbs.	4.4 feet/minute	415 A
12000 lbs.	3.6 feet/minute	457 A

Warn VR12-S Winch 97035 Control ↑TOP

Remote

Wired remote?	✔
Wired remote lead length	12'
Wireless remote?	✘
Can add 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 VR12-S Winch 97035 Dimensions ↑TOP

Winch

Length	21.8"
Depth	6.3"
Height	9.8"
Weight	62 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.