Champion Atv Winch Review

Quick compare at a glance

How to choose Champion ATV winch

Rated line pull versus loaded weight

Multiply your loaded ATV or UTV weight by 1.5 and buy at least that rating. A 3,000 lb winch on a rig that needs 4,500 lb will stall, overheat and fail early, and no snatch block fixes an undersized winch. The finder above does this maths for you, and the strongest pick here is the ceiling for this guide.

Steel cable versus synthetic rope

Steel cable is tough and abrasion resistant but heavy, kinks, and stores dangerous energy if it breaks. Synthetic rope is lighter, will not kink, floats, and is safer to handle, but needs a hawse fairlead and care around sharp edges. Choose the rope for how you actually recover, not for looks.

Remote type and control

A wireless remote lets you stand clear of the line, which is a real safety gain. A wired handlebar switch is the backup when wireless fails, batteries die, or interference appears. The best kits in this guide give you both, and you should test both before you need them on a trail.

Mounting and bolt pattern

ATV winches use a standard small bolt pattern in this class, but the vehicle-specific mount is often separate. Confirm the mount for your exact ATV or UTV before ordering, and use grade 5 or better mounting bolts torqued per the manual. A winch that does not bolt on is not a bargain.

Motor, gearing and duty

Permanent magnet motors are common in this class and work well for intermittent recovery, but they are not continuous-duty tools. Short pulls, rest periods and a healthy battery matter more than the badge number. The manual’s duty guidance governs every pull.

Warranty and support

Champion’s 2-year limited warranty with free lifetime technical support is the support story here, and it is shorter than WARN’s 7-year electrical cover. Weigh that against the kit completeness and the wireless features when you choose, and keep the manual for warranty claims.

Fitment and size data

Champion ATV winches fit the small bolt pattern common to this class, but the vehicle mount is the part that varies. The table below names the fitment facts from maker and retailer records, with a source for each row.

Champion ATV winch by budget

Types of Champion ATV winch

Detailed reviews

Each review below follows the same shape: why it is a pick, its key specs, what it fits, its pros and watch-outs, what owners report, who should not buy it, what to pair it with, and its button. Specs are maker or listing figures; where a maker does not publish a figure, the spec list says Not published.

Best overall: Champion 3000-lb ATV/UTV Winch Kit (13004)

Best overall — ATVs and UTVs that need a complete, no-extra-parts kit for self-recovery on trails.

Why the Champion 3000-lb ATV/UTV Winch Kit (13004) is our pick

The only Champion ATV winch in this guide with a listing-verified Amazon ASIN, and the kit is complete: mounting channel, roller fairlead and remote in the box. Its strength in this guide is complete kit with no separate mount to hunt down.

Champion 3000-lb ATV/UTV Winch Kit (13004) key specs

• Rated line pull: 3,000 lb
• Model: 13004
• Gear ratio: 171:1
• Motor: 1.3 hp, 12V DC permanent magnet
• Rope: steel cable, maker kit
• Fairlead: roller
• Remote: remote control in kit
• Mount: mounting channel included
• Warranty: 2-year limited, Champion support
• Weight class: ATV/UTV kit

Specs above are maker or listing figures for this exact model; unpublished figures are marked Not published.

Champion 3000-lb ATV/UTV Winch Kit (13004): fits and best for

ATVs and UTVs that need a complete, no-extra-parts kit for self-recovery on trails. If your vehicle or job falls outside this fit, the Final verdict section names the better pick in this guide.

Champion 3000-lb ATV/UTV Winch Kit (13004) pros and watch-outs

Champion 3000-lb ATV/UTV Winch Kit (13004): what owners report

For the exact model Champion 3000-lb ATV/UTV Winch Kit (13004), product-specific owner coverage in the sources reviewed for this guide is thin, so this section states that gap rather than inventing a model-specific owner story.

Champion 3000-lb ATV/UTV Winch Kit (13004): who should not buy

If your job is outside the fit named above, do not buy this pick. A larger, smaller or different-type product from this guide will serve you better, and the Final verdict section names that alternative. about WinchInsider and best ATV winch guide explain sizing and use in more depth.

Champion 3000-lb ATV/UTV Winch Kit (13004): pair it with

Pair it with the WARN Epic Snatch Block — A verified recovery accessory for redirecting a pull when the anchor is off-line.

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Best wireless: Champion 4500-lb ATV/UTV Wireless Winch Kit (14560)

Best wireless — ATV, UTV, trailer and snowmobile owners who want to stand clear of the line while winching.

Why the Champion 4500-lb ATV/UTV Wireless Winch Kit (14560) is our pick

Champion’s wireless ATV kit, sold through Tractor Supply and Champion dealers: wireless remote with antenna, mounting channel, roller fairlead and contactor wiring kit. Its strength in this guide is wireless control plus a wired handlebar switch as backup.

Champion 4500-lb ATV/UTV Wireless Winch Kit (14560) key specs

• Rated line pull: 4,500 lb
• Model: 14560
• Remote: wireless, up to 50 ft, plus mini-rocker handlebar switch
• Fairlead: roller
• Mount: mounting channel included
• Wiring: contactor and wiring kit included
• Motor: 12V DC
• Rope: steel cable kit
• Warranty: 2-year limited, free lifetime technical support
• First-layer rating: 4,500 lb

Specs above are maker or listing figures for this exact model; unpublished figures are marked Not published.

Champion 4500-lb ATV/UTV Wireless Winch Kit (14560): fits and best for

ATV, UTV, trailer and snowmobile owners who want to stand clear of the line while winching.

Champion 4500-lb ATV/UTV Wireless Winch Kit (14560) pros and watch-outs

Champion 4500-lb ATV/UTV Wireless Winch Kit (14560): what owners report

For the exact model Champion 4500-lb ATV/UTV Wireless Winch Kit (14560), product-specific owner coverage in the sources reviewed for this guide is thin, so this section states that gap rather than inventing a model-specific owner story.

Champion 4500-lb ATV/UTV Wireless Winch Kit (14560): who should not buy

If your job is outside the fit named above, do not buy this pick. A larger, smaller or different-type product from this guide will serve you better, and the Final verdict section names that alternative. about WinchInsider and best ATV winch guide explain sizing and use in more depth.

Champion 4500-lb ATV/UTV Wireless Winch Kit (14560): pair it with

Pair it with the GearAmerica Tree Saver Strap — A verified tree saver for anchoring to a tree without damaging bark or rope.

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Amazon alternative: WARN VRX 45-S ATV Winch (the named product has no verified Amazon ASIN).

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Best synthetic rope: Champion XL 3500-lb ATV/UTV Synthetic Rope Winch Kit (100722)

Best synthetic rope — Riders who handle rope by hand and want lighter, kink-free line on a mid-size ATV.

Why the Champion XL 3500-lb ATV/UTV Synthetic Rope Winch Kit (100722) is our pick

The synthetic-rope Champion in the XL line: 50 ft of synthetic rope that will not kink like steel, with a rocker switch and a 180:1 gear reduction. Its strength in this guide is synthetic rope is easier and safer to handle than steel cable.

Champion XL 3500-lb ATV/UTV Synthetic Rope Winch Kit (100722) key specs

• Rated line pull: 3,500 lb
• Model: 100722
• Gear ratio: 180:1
• Rope: synthetic, 50 ft
• Fairlead: hawse-style for synthetic rope
• Remote: rocker switch
• Motor: 12V DC
• Warranty: 2-year limited, free lifetime technical support
• Rope note: synthetic stores less kinetic energy than steel
• Weight class: ATV/UTV kit

Specs above are maker or listing figures for this exact model; unpublished figures are marked Not published.

Champion XL 3500-lb ATV/UTV Synthetic Rope Winch Kit (100722): fits and best for

Riders who handle rope by hand and want lighter, kink-free line on a mid-size ATV.

Champion XL 3500-lb ATV/UTV Synthetic Rope Winch Kit (100722) pros and watch-outs

Champion XL 3500-lb ATV/UTV Synthetic Rope Winch Kit (100722): what owners report

For the exact model Champion XL 3500-lb ATV/UTV Synthetic Rope Winch Kit (100722), product-specific owner coverage in the sources reviewed for this guide is thin, so this section states that gap rather than inventing a model-specific owner story.

Champion XL 3500-lb ATV/UTV Synthetic Rope Winch Kit (100722): who should not buy

If your job is outside the fit named above, do not buy this pick. A larger, smaller or different-type product from this guide will serve you better, and the Final verdict section names that alternative. about WinchInsider and best ATV winch guide explain sizing and use in more depth.

Champion XL 3500-lb ATV/UTV Synthetic Rope Winch Kit (100722): pair it with

Pair it with the AMBULL Soft Shackles — Verified soft shackles for connecting straps and rope without a steel shackle becoming a projectile.

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Amazon alternative: Champion 3000-lb ATV/UTV Winch Kit (13004) (the named product has no verified Amazon ASIN).

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Strongest Champion here: Champion XL 5500-lb ATV/UTV Synthetic Rope Winch Kit (100723)

Strongest Champion here — Larger side-by-sides and loaded ATVs that need headroom above the 4,500 lb class.

Why the Champion XL 5500-lb ATV/UTV Synthetic Rope Winch Kit (100723) is our pick

The strongest Champion ATV/UTV kit in this guide: 5,500 lb with a 1.7 hp 12V permanent magnet motor and synthetic rope, sold with a mounting plate. Its strength in this guide is highest Champion rating in this guide with synthetic rope in the box.

Champion XL 5500-lb ATV/UTV Synthetic Rope Winch Kit (100723) key specs

• Rated line pull: 5,500 lb
• Model: 100723
• Motor: 1.7 hp, 12V DC permanent magnet
• Rope: synthetic, high-flexibility polyethylene
• Mount: mounting plate included
• Fairlead: hawse-style for synthetic rope
• Warranty: 2-year limited, free lifetime technical support
• Weight class: ATV and side-by-side
• Rope note: synthetic will not fray or curl like steel
• Remote: kit remote included

Specs above are maker or listing figures for this exact model; unpublished figures are marked Not published.

Champion XL 5500-lb ATV/UTV Synthetic Rope Winch Kit (100723): fits and best for

Larger side-by-sides and loaded ATVs that need headroom above the 4,500 lb class.

Champion XL 5500-lb ATV/UTV Synthetic Rope Winch Kit (100723) pros and watch-outs

Champion XL 5500-lb ATV/UTV Synthetic Rope Winch Kit (100723): what owners report

For the exact model Champion XL 5500-lb ATV/UTV Synthetic Rope Winch Kit (100723), product-specific owner coverage in the sources reviewed for this guide is thin, so this section states that gap rather than inventing a model-specific owner story.

Champion XL 5500-lb ATV/UTV Synthetic Rope Winch Kit (100723): who should not buy

If your job is outside the fit named above, do not buy this pick. A larger, smaller or different-type product from this guide will serve you better, and the Final verdict section names that alternative. about WinchInsider and best ATV winch guide explain sizing and use in more depth.

Champion XL 5500-lb ATV/UTV Synthetic Rope Winch Kit (100723): pair it with

Pair it with the WARN Epic Snatch Block — A verified recovery accessory for redirecting a pull when the anchor is off-line.

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Amazon alternative: WARN VR EVO 10-S Truck Winch (the named product has no verified Amazon ASIN).

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We may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Spec comparison

Scores in this guide are editorial judgement, not test results. No product here was evaluated in person by us, and no score below is a measured performance figure.

Installation and setup basics

Mount the winch to a vehicle-specific mount or the included channel, wire the contactor per the manual with the battery disconnected, route cables away from heat and moving parts, and spool the rope under load. Test the remote, both directions, and the free-spool clutch before the first trail use, and keep five wraps on the drum at all times. best winch cover guide and winch maintenance checklist cover the general steps for 12V and garage work, and what size winch do I need covers recovery gear where it applies. See also best D-ring shackles guide, best winch rope for ATV guide and how to install a winch on an ATV for related sizing, maintenance and recovery guidance.

Work in a clear, well-lit space, disconnect power where the manual requires it, and follow the maker manual over any general advice here. If a step in the manual conflicts with this guide, the manual wins. Keep fasteners, adapters and manuals together so a later service does not start with a search.

Safety essentials

WARN Epic Snatch Block — A verified recovery accessory for redirecting a pull when the anchor is off-line.

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GearAmerica Tree Saver Strap — A verified tree saver for anchoring to a tree without damaging bark or rope.

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AMBULL Soft Shackles — Verified soft shackles for connecting straps and rope without a steel shackle becoming a projectile.

Check Price

See also how to use a winch, best snatch block guide and best tree saver strap guide for the site’s accessory guides.

Troubleshooting

Who should NOT buy these

Do not buy a Champion ATV winch for a truck. These ratings end at 5,500 lb in this guide, and a truck needs a truck winch from the truck alternatives guide, sized at 1.5 times loaded weight.

Do not buy on wireless alone. If you never test the wired backup, a dead wireless battery on a trail turns a convenience into a failed recovery. Buy the kit whose backup you will actually test.

Do not buy synthetic rope and keep a roller fairlead. Synthetic rope needs a hawse fairlead; a roller can pinch and damage it. Match the fairlead to the rope before the first pull.

Do not buy without a mount plan. A winch with no vehicle-specific mount is a box, not a recovery tool. Confirm the mount for your exact ATV or UTV first.

Final verdict

Best overall: Champion 3000-lb ATV/UTV Winch Kit (13004) — Check Price

Best wireless: Champion 4500-lb ATV/UTV Wireless Winch Kit (14560) — Check Price

Best synthetic rope: Champion XL 3500-lb ATV/UTV Synthetic Rope Winch Kit (100722) — Check Price

Strongest Champion here: Champion XL 5500-lb ATV/UTV Synthetic Rope Winch Kit (100723) — Check Price

FAQ

What is the best Champion ATV winch for most buyers?

For most buyers, the Champion 3000-lb ATV/UTV Winch Kit (13004) is the best starting point because it covers the common job in this guide with a published rating and a verifiable model record. If your job is larger, heavier or more specialised than the common case, step to the stronger pick named in the Final verdict section rather than forcing the best-overall pick to do a job it was not rated for.

How do I know which size or rating I need?

Measure first, then match the rating to the measurement. For winch posts that means loaded weight times 1.5; for other posts it means the size, opening, weight or capacity named in the fitment table. Never guess a size from a similar vehicle or a similar job, because a close size that does not fit is a return, not a solution.

Are the specs in this guide maker figures or test results?

They are maker or listing figures, written as rated or claimed. Nothing here was evaluated in person by us, and no figure was invented where a maker does not publish one. Where records conflict, the guide prints the conflict instead of picking a convenient number, and where a figure is unpublished it says Not published.

Why does one pick have an Amazon alternative instead of its own button?

Some makers sell through dealers or their own stores and have no verified Amazon ASIN for that exact model. In that case the card and the product block name a verified Amazon alternative with its own button, directly under the named product, so every recommendation still leads to a real, orderable product.

How long should a Champion ATV winch last?

Life depends on use, care and storage more than on the badge. Follow the maker manual for cleaning, lubrication, rope or pad care and storage, keep the product dry and out of grit when it is not in use, and inspect it before each job. A product that is inspected and maintained will outlast one that is stored dirty, whatever its rating.

What is the most common buying mistake with Champion ATV winch?

The most common mistake is buying on the headline number alone: the biggest rating, the longest cable, or the lowest capacity that looks enough. The fitment table, the spec list and the watch-outs in each product block exist to catch that mistake before ordering, because the headline number never tells the whole story.

Can I use this guide’s calculator for every job?

The finder in this guide recommends only products from this guide, and every answer ends on a buttoned pick, with no dead ends. It is a starting point, not a substitute for the maker manual or for measuring your exact vehicle, opening or job. If the finder and the manual disagree, follow the manual.

Do I need the accessories in the Safety essentials section?

You need the safety habits in that section on every job, and the accessory picks are the category-specific tools that support those habits. Buy the accessories that match your job, skip the ones that do not, and never substitute a generic accessory for a category-specific one where the guide names a specific tool.

Is a Champion ATV winch good for a UTV?

A Champion ATV winch suits a UTV only when its rating covers 1.5 times the loaded UTV weight. The 5,500 lb XL model covers larger side-by-sides, while the 3,000 lb kit is an ATV tool. Use the finder above with your loaded weight, not the vehicle badge, to decide.

Sources

• Tractor Supply: Champion 14560 4500-lb Wireless Winch Kit
• Tractor Supply: Champion 100723 5500-lb Synthetic Winch Kit
• Tractor Supply: Champion Atlas 3200 Winch Kit
• Champion Power Equipment: portable winch kit record
• Bell Engineering: Champion winches review
• Champion 14560 user manual record
• Champion 14560 manual: assembly and wiring
• HD Supply: Champion 10,000-lb Truck Winch Kit record
• Champion 10000-lb kit record
• Amazon listing record: Champion 13004 3000-lb Kit, ASIN B00AX19UMU

Maker and retailer records above govern specs. Owner points are paraphrased from the linked owner sources; a manual or spec sheet is not an owner report, and where owner coverage for an exact model is thin, this guide says so.

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