I've not seen them in action, but the guys running the cheap HF winches swear by them. A small lightweight winch is fine. I would even argue a 2000 lb winch with a snatch block would be fine for most applications. Unless you're in mud, where suction / vacuum is a problem, you'll only have a few hundred lbs of resistance on the line anyway.

That said, I use a Warn 9000 'cause I wheel with heavier rigs sometimes... and do like me some mud. Those big 40" tires under full sized trucks can really suck down deep sometimes.

The only problem with rope is you need to clean it out if your using it in mud.  Otherwise it gets in and starts to destroy the fibers.  Cable is a lot more low maintenance then the rope for a trail only rig. 

I've not seen them in action, but the guys running the cheap HF winches swear by them. A small lightweight winch is fine. I would even argue a 2000 lb winch with a snatch block would be fine for most applications. Unless you're in mud, where suction / vacuum is a problem, you'll only have a few hundred lbs of resistance on the line anyway.

That said, I use a Warn 9000 'cause I wheel with heavier rigs sometimes... and do like me some mud. Those big 40" tires under full sized trucks can really suck down deep sometimes.

Hi Jeremiah this was my Thinking to!
By HF winches what is a HF winch?

I found a Supper winch its a 3000 Lb one that i think will do with cable.
I cant see Mud being the thing i get stuck in around here its gona be Deep snow.
I like the 3000 Lb one.
Thing is the 8000 Lb one is only $100 More eh. so whats a guy to do.

I like the Light weight Smaller Winchs.
 Cause im keeping my Rig light weight  with just 29 Inch tires so i dont start getting like 20 MPG.
i dont want to loose on Gas milage to much eh.

I just weighed my new M8000 Warn winch I am putting on my new rear bumper. It is setting here without the cable and it weighs 34 lbs.  The 100' steel cable weighs 16 lbs. An Amsteel rope might weigh 4 lbs.  Do what you want with that info but a winch is not that heavy especially without the steel cable.

Warn M 8000 is only 34 Lbs thats not bad at all.
Amsteel is the way to go eh!

Its hard to Decide cause i just found a 6000Lb Vortex winch for like $200

Im gona buy one and give it a try.
At worse i can use it to load my Inflatable boat on my Motorhome roof 

When I had a steal cable, no matter how careful I was it seemed to bird cage and kink one me.  It was hard to work with.

The Amsteal rope is very soft and has no stiffness to it at all.

I live in Michigan and if I get stuck its in mud.  Never had a problem with it.

HF = Harbor Freight

Snow can be a problem too if it's "building up" in front of the vehicle / drivetrain components creating a lot of resistance. A 30 lb difference between winches isn't going to kill your MPG.