Warn VR8 Winch 96800 Specs

Rated capacity	8000 lbs. @ 4.8 ft/min
Max GVWR	5333 lbs.
Power	4.8 HP 12V Electric
Model number	96800
Weight	65 lb
Line	94' 5/16" Steel
Size	20.8" X 6.3" X 9.8"
Attributes	Electric Not Waterproof Wired Steel
Price	@4 Wheel Parts @Amazon
Deals	Get a free Smittybilt Winch Link ($72 value) with purchase of a just-released Gen3 winch. Coupon code: 10% off $500 or more at 4 Wheel Parts (SD4WP10OFF) Coupon code: 5% off entire purchase at 4 Wheel Parts (4WPAFEXAPR5)

4500lb winches > 8000lb winches > 9500lb winches

Other Warn winches

Last updated: Aug 28, 2019

Warn VR8 Winch 96800 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 VR8 Winch 96800 Pulling Power per Cable Layer

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Warn VR8 Winch 96800 Pulling Power per Cable Layer
Cable Layers	Pounds
1	8000 lbs.
2	7280 lbs.
3	6670 lbs.
4	6230 lbs.

Warn VR8 Winch 96800 Winch Lines ↑TOP

In the next chart, we look at when different winch line configurations will break when you use the Warn VR8 Winch 96800.

Stock winch line: 94' 5/16" diameter Steel

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 VR8 Winch 96800 Power ↑TOP

Power Type	Electric
Motor Voltage	12V
Gear Ratio	162:1
Gear system	3 Stage Planetary
Clutch	Rotating Ring Gear
Brake	Automatic Direct Drive Cone
Fastest linespeed	29 ft/min pulling 0 lbs.
Slowest linespeed	4.8 ft/min pulling 8000 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 VR8 Winch 96800 Line Speed and Amp Draw Under Load
Load	Linespeed	Amp draw
0 lbs.	29 feet/minute	69.2 A
2000 lbs.	14.2 feet/minute	179.2 A
4000 lbs.	9.9 feet/minute	281 A
6000 lbs.	7.3 feet/minute	381 A
8000 lbs.	4.8 feet/minute	457 A

Warn VR8 Winch 96800 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 VR8 Winch 96800 Dimensions ↑TOP

Winch

Length	20.8"
Depth	6.3"
Height	9.8"
Weight	65 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.