Description
Review this item in the context of the repair, installation access, nearby parts, and the result the completed job is intended to achieve.
| Manufacturer |
RUGCEL WINCH |
| Part Number |
TANK 12000 |
| Item Weight |
63.8 pounds |
| Product Dimensions |
20 x 7.9 x 7.9 inches |
| Country of Origin |
China |
| Item model number |
TANK 12000LB Black |
| Color |
Black |
| Item Package Quantity |
1 |
| Included Components |
TK12000 |
| Batteries Included? |
No |
Product Description
SPECIFICATIONS
| Rated Line Pull |
12,000 lbs. (5,443 kg) Single-line |
| Rope |
2/5IN×82FT Synthetic |
| Motor |
12V DC Series Wound |
| Weight |
64 |
| Remote Control |
2-in-1 Remote |
| Geartrain |
3-Stage Planetary |
| Clutch |
Sliding Ring Gear |
| Gear Ratio |
234:1 |
No structured vehicle fitment data is available. Compare the listing with the vehicle and existing part before ordering.
Repair scenarios, installation, companion parts, and use outcomes
Buying guidance
Quick decision
Review this winches in the context of the repair and the surrounding components.
Repair scenario
- Identify the symptom and confirm that this is the component required by the repair.
- Inspect nearby connectors, fasteners, and mating surfaces before installation.
Installation notes
- Use the listing instructions when present and follow the vehicle service procedure.
- Professional installation may be appropriate when the repair requires special tools or calibration.
Companion parts
- Inspect nearby fasteners, connectors, seals, fluids, and wear items before starting the repair.
- Use the service procedure and the visible package contents to identify any additional parts or tools required.
Before you buy
- Compare the listing title, photos, package contents, and specifications with the part being replaced.
- Confirm vehicle compatibility and installation requirements before ordering.
Customer feedback
Ratings and written reviews
4.3 / 5
178 source ratings
Source: Amazon. Imported marketplace feedback is shown for product research and is not a review of a purchase made on this website.
Todd A. Bacon –
I just installed this and it seemed very straight forward, for me. I have installed a few of these over the years so it was fairly simple to install. The package came intact without any damage to the box or the internal items. All items were there and has a great booklet with decent instructions. I like the design and how it fit into the rig. I will be testing this out in the next few weeks and will come back and update my review.The only question/concern I have is that the wired/wireless controller is one in the same and seems to work great. They sent a battery that I assume is for the controller and the controller is already working wireless….the only question that I have yet to answer is “How do I charge the battery for the controller?”. There is nothing in the documentation that speaks to it, if the extra battery is for the controller (logic says yes), how long the battery will last. The concern here is how does one keep the spare battery with you and not lose it and how long will the wireless last? Can you buy spare batteries for the controller? I will try and add some pics shortly.
Andrew –
I bought this winch because for half the price you get lots of features. I have not installed it on my Jeep yet because i am waiting for my bumper to be delivered. Initial thoughts when i opened the box was that its a very nice looking winch and well put together. I really like that it comes with a battery disconnect switch and already has the synthetic rope.Only real concerns i have so far is the winch is twisted a little and by what i mean is when its sitting on a flat surface it rocks back and forth. I loosened the bracket above the drum and then retightened the bolts and now seems ok and hopefully wont be a concern. I also don’t have high hopes for the stickers as they already seem like they are coming off and it hasn’t seen the elements yet. It came with a bag of small allen screws but was given an uneven amount once i figure out where they go i will probably have to source the missing ones from the hardware store.The winch came with the option to use the remote wired or wireless. The remote also came with an extra battery which is a nice addon. Although in the manual it shows nowhere how to charge the remote. I assume you have to connect the remote to the winch to charge it.Once my bumper arrives (Rugged Ridge Arcus) i will be putting this on a Jeep Gladiator and will update my review on how it works. Other then a few small issues hopefully i get a many years of use out of the winch.
Bing Chillin –
The upside is that you get what you pay for. A great winch for a great price. I made my own mounting bracket out of 1/2″ steel plate and no problems. 10/10 bang for buck
Dave G. –
Rugcell needs to start selling with directions. I found the waterproof connectors a pain to install. I don’t care for the hook. It doesn’t open enough to go around a 3/4” d ring and close.If Rugcell made these improves it would get a 4-5 star. It seems to be worth the money. It does look nice.
5G4R –
Mounted right up to a Body Armor Highline winch bumper with zero issues on my 2014 4Runner. Recently used it to pull out a stuck F350, no problem!
Tom –
Update after about 3 weeks:Part of the winch has significant rust after just 3 weeks and looks pretty terrible. That should not happen and I’m pretty disappointed.Original review:I had been waffling on whether or not to buy an off-brand winch because I kept hearing that I should buy a Warn – but they are just too expensive for me.I was very surprised at the quality of this Rugcel winch – solidly built, included all the hardware (except of course you may need to buy a winch plate). it looks good and I’ve tested it a few times and it pulls well.MY only gripe is that the manual is pretty terrible, though it’s not like you cannot figure it out without. If I had to re-buy it, I’d look for one with a black cable instead of red because the red dye gets all over the fairlead when you use the winch. It seems like that’s something they should have realized and changed pretty early on.
Drew –
This is a really good winch. Quality parts, very strong and easy to install. My only complaint is the hook that comes with it is too small to attach to very many items commonly used in winch applications. I snapped my rope this week and will be replacing it with a stronger rope and larger hook.
Sam A. –
I researched the 12,000 lb winches for completeness of configuration and comments from previous buyers with installation reviews.The winch seems sturdy and well built. The wiring color coated junction covers were a nice touch but i have a suggestion to the manufacturer. I could tell all the parts were there by virtue of taking inventory vs what was shown in the included operation manual but (like every other commenter) could have used some instruction pictures and a company video. The color coded wiring notations was very helpful for a mechanically minded person. If you don’t have a history with tinkering with things, making your own modifications for the lack of comprehensive instructions and no diagrams, plan on taking two hours to install the winch package. The winch could have (should have) been pre-assembled with the wires bolted in-place and the colored junction covers pulled over the wiring junctions. That would have saved an hour just making sure everything was laid out for assembly. It wouldn’t have taken the manufacturer any time to have all of that done.The winch went in easy enough but no way my wife could ever figured out how to assemble the items. Not that she is inept, but that the pieces take time to assemble so they are on the number with no loose or extra length of wires that might slap the grill or make noise on the highway.On another note, the winch hooks does not fit over my ‘U’ hooks on my bumper. Guess i need to buy a couple of 12,000 lb ‘S-hooks’ or a small tow strap with hooks to use a pulley on a tree and another short one to connect the winch hook to the bumper ‘U’s.None of this is a real deterrent but they would have easily gotten 5 stars with a few changes. Or let someone assemble the system and use it in a real situation to eliminate the missing set up add-on items. Now i have to think about how to rig the winch cable out in the woods and hope i bought all the small extras to be able to get my jeep pulled out of a ‘stuck’ saturation in the woods.
AJ Nichols –
This winch worked fairly well up until it didn’t. I was winching on a Ford 1 ton when the bolts that hold down the winch ripped out of the bottom of one side of it. Caused the winch to twist breaking all of the casting between the two halves and allowing the drum to almost rip out of the center. I was only winching on a Ford 1 ton with nothing in the back. This should have been an easy pull for a 13,000 lb winch.
cammons07 –
This 12,000 lbs wench is great! The installation was pretty much straight forward. Match bolt holes for my bumper and was very easy to install. The wiring harness is well marked but the little rubber boot connector are a bit of a fight to get seated correctly. But after some effort went together very well. As well the wiring harness come out of wench in the correct direction toward battery. The relay box is kind of large I made a bracket and worked great.One of the best features is the remote control that you can also wire to winch or remote control and when wired it charges the remotes batteries.It looks durable and was a good price. The wrench is pretty heavy and look very durable.
mtnmistfarm –
Winch mounted on truck pulled my 65 horsepower four wheel drive tractor stuck out of the mud with mud so wet and deep that even pushing with backhoe did not move tractor!
Central Coaster –
The big improvement is the different,improved operation of the fairlead lever to engage/disengage the winch drum.The downsides are : 1. No remote control supplied – just a (good)tethered one. Even the cheaper winches come with a remote so this is odd. 2. Despite what the many photos show, the Hawes does NOT bolt to the winch.It is NOT designed to be fitted that way. 3. The winch is slightly bulkier than most 13.500 lb. winches so it is really too large for most standard 13,500lb winch cradles. So get the Rugcel winch plate and weld on your own handles. Yes, you need handles if you are using a receiver ! 4. The cables for the control box are too short because of the way the lugs must be oriented to fit around adjacent protrusions without straining the terminals. 90 degree lugs may help. So why 1 Star ? After all my careful installation and problem solving the winch just clicks rapidly when I operate it.
Brian Miller –
Works as described