12000 lb. Winches

Last updated: Oct 2, 2019

Table of Contents

12000 lb. Winches Winch Line Speeds: HOW FAST IS YOUR WINCH UNDER DIFFERENT LOADS?

Graph: Winch Line Speeds (12000 lb. Winches)

Table: Line Speeds vs. Load

Table: 12000 lb. Winches Winch Line Speed (in feet/minute) vs. Load
Winch 0 lbs 2000 lbs 3000 lbs 4000 lbs 6000 lbs 8000 lbs 9000 lbs 10000 lbs 12000 lbs
Warn Zeon 12 Platinum 32.9 15.1 9.9 8.9 7.8 5.4 4.5
Warn Zeon 12-S Platinum 32.9 15.1 9.9 8.9 7.8 5.4 4.5
Warn M12000 24V 31.94 11.7 9.5 8.5 7.5 6.5 6
Warn M12000-S 30 14 8.62 6.92 5.8 4.39 3.86
Warn M12000 30 14 8.62 6.92 5.8 4.39 3.86
Warn VR12000 28.4 12.6 9.5 7.5 5.8 4.4 3.6
Warn VR EVO 12-S 28.4 12.6 9.5 7.5 5.8 4.4 3.6
Warn VR12 28.4 12.6 9.5 7.5 5.8 4.4 3.6
Warn VR12-S 28.4 12.6 9.5 7.5 5.8 4.4 3.6
Smittybilt Gen2 XRC Comp 12000 28.21 11.15 7.872 6.232 5.248
Smittybilt Gen2 XRC 12000 28.21 11.15 7.872 6.232 5.248
Warn Zeon 12 28.1 14.2 9.3 7.8 6.4 4.3 3.3
Warn Zeon 12-S 28.1 14.2 9.3 7.8 6.4 4.3 3.3
Warn VR EVO 12 26.2 13.9 9.5 8.1 6.8 4.9 4
Smittybilt Gen3 XRC 12K 25 14.7 12.8 8 5.2
Smittybilt Gen3 XRC 12K COMP 25 14.7 12.8 8 5.2
Smittybilt Gen2 X2O COMP Waterproof 12000 24.6 11.48 8.86 7.22 5.58
Smittybilt Gen2 X2O Waterproof 12000 24.6 11.48 8.86 7.22 5.58

About Winch Line Speed

In the graph above, we're looking at the speed of winches as you pull more and more weight.

The more load a winch needs to pull, the slower it is. To measure-wide this, we calculate line speed. This is pretty simple:

Imagine standing next to your deployed winchline: You attach a ribbon to the line and reel the winch line in (standing in the same spot). You do this for 1 minute. When you measure-wide the distance the line has moved (usually in feet), you'll have a line speed.

Winch line speeds vary a lot! Some of the fastest line speeds are around 45 feet/minute. Some of the slowest linespeeds are around 2 feet per minute.

Is line speed important?

Fast line speed is helpful when:

  • You need to be able to get out of a situation quickly (you're hanging off a cliff)
  • You're in a competition
  • You don't like waiting around

Loaded vs. No-Load Line Speed

With no load on your winch line, your winch will be at its fastest. This is no-load line speed. If you winch all the time, no-load line speed is important - it drastically affects the speed of "clean-up" after a recovery. This can be important if you're on a trail ride with lots of other 4x4s.

Loaded line speed varies by the weight you're pulling and how badly stuck you are. In truly bad "stucks", it's easy to come close to the breaking strength of steel winch cable. Consider upgrading to synthetic if it makes sense.

You need to decide for yourself how important line speed is.

Sometimes you don't have much of a choice:

If you want a larger winch, there aren't as many options out there, so you'll probably have only a couple options.

However, there are many 10,000 lb and 12,000 lb winches that have varied line speed.

12000 lb. Winches Pulling Power per Cable Layer: HOW STRONG IS YOUR WINCH WITH EACH LAYER OF WINCH LINE?

Graph: Winch Strength per Cable Layer (12000 lb. Winches)

Table: Pulling Power vs. Layer

Table: 12000 lb. Winches Pulling Power (in lbs) per Winch Line Layer
Winch Layer 1 Layer 2 Layer 3 Layer 4 Layer 5
Warn VR12 12000 11120 10340 9770 9250
Warn VR12-S 12000 11120 10340 9770 9250
Warn VR12000 12000 11120 10340 9770 9250
Warn M12000-S 12000 11120 10340 9770 9250
Warn M12000 24V 12000 11120 10340 9770 9250
Warn M12000 12000 11120 10340 9770 9250
Smittybilt Gen2 XRC 12000 12000 10270 9200 8800
Smittybilt Gen2 XRC Comp 12000 12000 10270 9200 8800
Smittybilt Gen3 XRC 12K 12000 10270 9200 8800
Smittybilt Gen3 XRC 12K COMP 12000 10270 9200 8800
Warn Zeon 12 12000 9894 8117 7324
Warn Zeon 12-S 12000 9894 8117 7324
Warn Zeon 12-S Platinum 12000 9894 8117 7324
Warn Zeon 12 Platinum 12000 9894 8117 7324
Warn VR EVO 12 12000 9801 8283 7173 6324
Warn VR EVO 12-S 12000 9801 8283 7173 6324
Smittybilt Gen2 X2O Waterproof 12000 12000 9530 7929 6770
Smittybilt Gen2 X2O COMP Waterproof 12000 12000 9530 7929 6770

About Pulling Power vs. Number of Cable Layers

In the graph above, we're looking at how much power your winch loses when you have more cable on the winch drum.

Did you know that the more cable wraps you have on the winch drum, the seaker your winch is?

Most people probably don't realize that.

Basically, with more wraps of cable on the drum the winch line is further away from the axis of rotation. This makes it harder for the winch motor to reel in.

Imagine holding a heavy weight in one hand. If you hold the weight close to your body, it isn't so bad. But if you hold your arm straight out, it's much harder. It's similar for you winch.

The drops in power can be pretty surprising, so pay attention to how much line you have on your drum before starting a pull!

Keeping Your Winch Powerful

You can "preserve" your winch's strength by:

  • Using anchors that are farther away
  • Using a snatch block

If you use a snatch block, know that this will cut your line speed in half! Another reason to pay attention to line speed.

12000 lb. Winches Amp Draw vs. Load: HOW HARD DO YOUR BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WORK TO RUN A WINCH?

Graph: Winch Amp Draw vs. Load (12000 lb. Winches)

Table: Amp Draw vs. Load

Table: 12000 lb. Winches Amp Draw (in amps) vs. Load
Winch 0 lbs 2000 lbs 3000 lbs 4000 lbs 6000 lbs 8000 lbs 9000 lbs 10000 lbs 12000 lbs
Smittybilt Gen3 XRC 12K COMP 90 160 230 300 375
Smittybilt Gen3 XRC 12K 90 160 230 300 375
Smittybilt Gen2 X2O Waterproof 12000 70 138 218 260 330
Smittybilt Gen2 X2O COMP Waterproof 12000 70 138 218 260 330
Warn M12000-S 67 140 210 250 320 370 440
Warn M12000 67 140 210 250 320 370 440
Warn Zeon 12-S 66 141 209 272 335 401 469
Warn Zeon 12 66 141 209 272 335 401 469
Warn VR12000 65 144 215 281 349 415 457
Warn VR EVO 12-S 65 144 215 281 349 415 457
Warn VR12 65 144 215 281 349 415 457
Smittybilt Gen2 XRC Comp 12000 65 163 244 315 400
Smittybilt Gen2 XRC 12000 65 163 244 315 400
Warn VR12-S 65 144 215 281 349 415 457
Warn Zeon 12-S Platinum 57 132 200 261 321 381 446
Warn Zeon 12 Platinum 57 132 200 261 321 381 446
Warn VR EVO 12 55 120 178 234 288 337 396
Warn M12000 24V 24 105 129 152 175 198 221

About Amp Draw and Load

Winches are taxing on your electrical system! Winches can draw a lot of power, especially on hard pulls.

Manufacturers recommend a battery with a minimum of 650 CCA. However, if you winch a lot, it's common make electrical upgrades like:

  • Installing dual batteries (more reserve)
  • Installing a higher amp alternator (faster battery recharge)

Either of these can give you peace of mind on the trail, help you run more accessories, and protect your ability to start your rig if you do a lot of solo fourwheeling.

Don't Run Out of Juice on the Trail!

It's a good idea to run a voltmeter and monitor it while you're winching. If you're winching a lot, you may want to give take breaks so that your winch motor can cool and your battery can charge up.

You should be especially careful if you're solo:

You could kill your battery's charge if you winch a lot without letting it recharge. You won't be able to start your rig again if you have a dead battery!

Winch List: WINCHES ON THIS PAGE

Show Legend ▼

Max GVW Max vehicle weight
Electric motor
IP68 Waterproof (Best)
IP67 Waterproof (Moderate)
Not Waterproof
Manufacturer must provide IP67 or IP68 rating to be considered waterproof
Wireless Remote
No Wireless Remote
Synthetic Winch Rope
Steel Winch Cable
Made in USA
Made in China