The rule of thumb for sizing a UTV winch is simple: rated line pull should be at least 2 times your machine's loaded weight. A 2,000-lb side-by-side with a passenger and gear wants a 3,500–4,500 lb winch minimum; a full-size Ranger, Defender, or Mule Pro pushing a snow plow is happiest with 4,500–5,000 lbs. Bigger costs little more and never hurts — undersized winches stall, overheat, and die young.
We carry Viper winches as our house recommendation: they're built in the same factory that produces winches for some of the biggest names in the business, and their pricing makes premium features — synthetic rope, wireless remotes, IP-rated waterproofing — standard instead of upsells. Shop the full range in Winches & Mounts or call 800-596-0785 for a sizing sanity-check.
What size winch for common machines?
| Machine | Typical weight | Recommended pull rating |
|---|---|---|
| ATV (Sportsman, Foreman) | 700–900 lbs | 2,500–3,500 lbs |
| Mid-size UTV (Ranger 570, Mule SX) | 1,200–1,600 lbs | 3,500–4,500 lbs |
| Full-size UTV (Ranger XP, Defender, Mule Pro) | 1,700–2,200 lbs | 4,500–5,000 lbs |
| Sport machine with mud tires (RZR, Maverick) | 1,500–2,000 lbs | 4,500–6,000 lbs (mud multiplies load) |
| Any UTV running a snow plow | — | 3,500+ lbs, used every lift cycle |
Synthetic rope or steel cable?
Synthetic rope is lighter, safer (it drops instead of whipping if it breaks), kinder to your hands, and doesn't develop burrs. Steel cable shrugs off abrasion on rocks and costs less. For most UTV owners — and for anyone lifting a plow dozens of times per driveway — synthetic is the right call. Whichever you run, always use gloves and a damper on long pulls.
The Viper V3: our best-selling winch
The Viper V3 Winch Kit (from $379.99) is the winch we put on our own plow machines. Configurable line ratings, synthetic rope or steel cable, corded and wireless remote options, and sealed electricals that survive Minnesota winters. It's the natural partner for a Denali snow plow — the winch does the blade lifting, so buy quality once.
Mounting is machine-specific: a winch needs a mount plate made for your frame. We stock Viper mount plates for most popular machines — Can-Am Commander, Maverick, Yamaha Viking, Honda Big Red, and more (around $91 each).
Five winch-buying mistakes to avoid
- Sizing to the sticker weight, not the loaded weight with passengers, fuel, and cargo.
- Skipping the mount plate — a winch bolted to plastic or thin tube is a projectile waiting to happen.
- Ignoring waterproofing. If you cross water or plow slush, sealed motors and solenoids aren't optional.
- Buying a no-name winch for plow duty. Plowing cycles a winch more in one storm than trail riders use in a year.
- Forgetting the battery. A winch under load can pull 200+ amps; a tired battery will let you down mid-pull.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my winch to lift a snow plow?
Yes — that's the standard setup. Add a plow pulley fairlead to improve the cable angle and cut wear if your plow manufacturer offers one; it roughly doubles rope life in plow duty.
Do I need a wireless remote?
For recovery work it's a genuine safety upgrade — you can stand clear of the rope's path. For plow lifting, the in-cab switch is what you'll use daily.
Will a winch fit my machine?
Any winch in the standard bolt patterns fits — what's machine-specific is the mount plate. Tell us your year, make, and model at 800-596-0785 and we'll confirm the right plate.
Do winches ship free?
Most of what we sell ships free to the lower 48 — each product page shows its shipping terms.
Ready to rig up? Shop Winches & Mounts, grab the matching mount plate, or call 800-596-0785 — a real person in the USA will size it right the first time.