Many of us put suspensions, wheels, and tires high up on our list of must haves. All of those mods have their place. But, for us, a winch should be up near the top of any list of must-have modifications. Why? Because when you get seriously stuck and need a winch, nothing else will do.

Some think that winches are too expensive and they definitely can be. But Smittybilt has been making quality winches that don't break the bank for years. Its latest is the new XRC Gen3 that is packed with innovative new features and still comes in at a very affordable price. At the heart of the new winch is a best-in-class seven horsepower motor. That new motor is also more efficient, drawing less amperage with a re-engineered silicon steel composite rotor. The increase in horsepower and more efficient design help to improve line speed as well. Compared to Smittybilt's Gen2 winch, the new Gen3 is 12% faster on average and 17% faster with zero load. Other internal upgrades include forged steel (instead of stamped steel) gears capable of handling the higher speeds.

The upgrades to the new Smittybilt XRC Gen3 winch aren't limited to internals only. A unique redesigned remote comes with dual magnet mounts as well as a built-in LED flashlight. A series of LED load indicator lights are incorporated into the remote to prevent damage to the motor from overload. Another LED light is found in the tie-bar that makes winching at night a less stressful affair. There is even a 12-volt power post built into the Gen3 winch to power additional accessories up to 50 amps. The Smittybilt XRC Gen3 winch looks like a serious upgrade. We will do a full review once we get our hands on one to test. For a more in-depth look at the Smittybilt XRC Gen3 winch check out the story here.

At the core of Smittybilt's new XRC Gen3 winch is a new seven horsepower motor. Forged gears and a more efficient design make it both faster and stronger than its predecessor. The XRC Gen3 winches are available in 9,500-lb. and 12,000-lb. versions with steel or synthetic cable. They are IP67 rated against dust and water incursion and are backed by a five-year electrical warranty and lifetime mechanical warranty.

The new remote for the Smittybilt XRC Gen3 winch is very innovative and features a dual magnet mount allowing it to be quickly stowed. A built-in LED flashlight aids in nighttime recovery adding illumination wherever you need it.

Also part of the new remote is a load indicator warning system (visible in blue). The lights show the status of the motor to prevent it from being overloading. An additional LED light in the tie bar makes spooling cable at night easier.

Products We Used In This Article