Questions? Email Us or call (888)-657-9997
(Hours: M-F 8am - 6pm Central)

  • Friend Us on Facebook
  • Follow Us on Twitter
  • Watch Us on YouTube
Free Shipping Limited Lifetime Warranty

ProMark Offroad Blog

New! Keyed Cable Lock by ProMark Offroad

6mm Keyed Cable Lock

6mm Keyed Cable Lock

Protect your stuff and reduce the risk of theft with the new keyed cable locks from ProMark Offroad, including a 6mm cable lock and a 14mm cable lock. These cable locks are made from heavy duty braided cable with a thick vinyl coating. The cables are self-coiling and 60 inches long—just the right length for securing covers, wheels, and other accessories. The built-in lock comes with two keys for your convenience.

a

Features:

  • 6mm or 14mm
  • 60 inches long
  • Heavy duty braided cable
  • Extra thick vinyl coating
  • Built-in lock
  • Self-coiling
  • 2 keys included

Prices start as low as $14.99 with Free Shipping to the lower 48 U.S. Find out more by visiting the cable locks product page on our website.

How to Install a Polaris Sportsman ATV Front Bumper

Polaris Sportsman Front Bumper

Polaris Sportsman Front Bumper

In as little as 30 minutes, you can transform your tame, factory-model Polaris Sportsman ATV into a mean-looking machine with an ATV bumper from ProMark Offroad. See the installation steps below for this quick project.

a

Application: Polaris Sportsman 2005-2010 400/500/600/700/800 (Not for XP)

Project: ATV Front Brush Guard Bumper with Headlight Guards

Time: 30 minutes

Instructions:

  1. Remove the upper retainer clips from each side of the grill assembly. Next, remove the radiator shroud bolts. (See Figure 1).
  2. Polaris Sportsman Bumper (Figure 1)

    Figure 1

  3. Attach the left support bracket to the ATV frame. Starting at the top inside corner, use one 2 3/4″ hex bolt, one flat washer, and one 1 3/4″ spacer. Do not tighten completely. (Note: The spacer will install between the support bracket and the ATV frame). Next, use two 1 1/3″ hex bolts, four washers, and two lockdown nuts on the front edge of the bracket. Repeat for the right support bracket. (See Figure 2).
  4. Polaris Sportsman Bumper (Figure 2)

    Figure 2

  5. Reinstall the front grill assembly removed in step 1.
  6. a
  7. Bolt the center bumper assembly to the left and right support brackets. Begin with the upper holes, using the front holes for 400 and 500 models or the rear holes for 600 and 700 models. Use two 1″ hex bolts and two washers to attach the bottom of the bumper assembly. Tighten all bolts installed in step 4. (See Figure 3).
  8. Polaris Sportsman Bumper (Figure 3)

    Figure 3

  9. Attach the left headlight guard to the center bumper assembly with three carriage bolts and three nylock nuts. Repeat for the right headlight guard. (See Figure 4).
  10. Polaris Sportsman Bumper (Figure 4)

    Figure 4

  11. To complete the installation, check all bolts and nuts for a tight fit.
  12. Sportsman ATV Front Brush Guard

    Completed Installation Project

How to Install a Wireless Winch Remote for Truck and Jeep Winches

Note: The following wireless installation instructions are designed specifically for the universal wireless winch remote kit by ProMark Offroad.

Electrical Requirements

For normal winch recovery loads and conditions, your existing electrical system is adequate for the wireless upgrade. For heavy winching, consider upgrading your electrical system.

In order for the recovery winch to work at its full potential, a fully charged battery and proper connections are essential. Keep the vehicle’s engine running during the winching process to keep the battery charged.

Installation

To install your wireless winch remote, carefully follow the instructions and diagrams below for routing the electrical connections:

  1. Short red cable “B” connects to the red terminal “B” on the motor.
  2. Short black cable with the yellow boot “C” connects to the yellow terminal “C” on the motor.
  3. Short black cable with the black boot “D” connects to the black terminal “D” on the motor.
  4. Thin black wire “A” connects to the bottom terminal “A” on the motor.
  5. Long red cable connects to the vehicle battery terminal positive.
a

Test the setup for correct operation before using your winch on the trail or in a recovery operation. If the remote control does not operate correctly, check all wiring to ensure that connections are correct and secure. Also, check the remote battery and replace if necessary (23A battery).

Wireless Winch Remote Installation Diagram

Wireless Winch Remote Installation Diagram

Wireless Winch Remote Installation Diagram 2

Wireless Winch Remote Installation Diagram 2

Recommendations for Use

For best results with your new wireless winch remote, take note of the following recommendations:

  • Make sure your battery is kept in good working condition.
  • Make sure the battery cables are not drawn tightly across any rough or sharp edges.
  • Prevent and immediately remove any corrosion on the electrical connections. Corrosion can affect the performance of the wireless kit or cause a short.
  • Clean all connections on the battery and contactor box regularly.
  • In salty environments, use a silicone sealer to prevent corrosion.

Electric Winch Wiring and Installation Tips

Midnight Recovery Winch Wiring

Winch wiring diagram for the Midnight Series recovery winch

Learning how to properly route the electrical wiring for your ATV winch or recovery winch is important for correct operation and for your own safety. The installation tips below provide a few key tips for winch wiring. Consult the instruction manual included with your winch for more information.

a

Routing the Wiring

Do not route electrical wiring over sharp edges or in places where they will touch parts that become hot. If the wiring is allowed to chafe or melt, this could damage the insulation that protects the wiring and cause a short circuit. Ensure that the wiring harness does not interfere or come in contact with any hot or moving engine, suspension, steering, braking, or exhaust parts.

Avoid routing the wiring through or near moving parts. In the case of wiring a handlebar thumbswitch on an ATV, make sure there is enough room to fully turn the handlebars without stretching the wiring. Then cable tie the wiring to hard points on the handlebars and bike to secure it in place. Secure the switch and wiring to the handlebar with black electrical tape to prevent rotation.

Protect the Wires from Damage

Insulate and protect all exposed wiring. Use insulating terminal boots as needed to prevent shorting and reduce the risk of electrical hazards.

Winch wiring for ATV and UTV winches

Winch wiring for ATV and UTV winches

When attaching wires to the winch motor or solenoid terminals, hold the inner nut with a wrench while tightening the outer nut with a second wrench. Do not allow the terminals to rotate in their housings. Rotation could cause internal wire damage or part misalignment.

a

Install all electrical wiring only after the winch is mounted on the vehicle. Do not attempt to install wiring when the battery is connected. After installing and securing all wiring, take a minute to ensure that your system is properly installed and free from restrictions. Then you may attach the wires to the positive and negative terminals of the battery.

Is Your Battery Up to Snuff?

Make sure that your battery or power supply meets the minimum requirements for the operation of your winch. A 12 volt DC battery is required for most electric winches. Even with sufficient battery power, you will need to make sure not to overload or overheat the winch. Electric winches are designed for intermittent use. For long pulls, stop winching periodically and allow the motor to cool before resuming operation. If the winch is under heavy use, we suggest installing an auxiliary battery and heavy-duty alternator to handle the load.

Electric Boat Trailer Winch Comparison

An electric boat winch is a great way to make loading your boat onto the trailer quick and easy. Below is a comparison chart for several popular boat trailer winches, including models from ProMark Offroad, Powerwinch, Trac, and Dutton-Laison.

Specifications ProMark Offroad Powerwinch Trac Dutton-Laison
Model 10,500 lb Electric Boat Winch RC 30 Lite Cruiser C-10000 Strongarm SA12000
Rolling Weight Capacity 10,500 lbs 11,500 lbs 9900 lbs 7600 lbs (11-degree incline)
Dead Weight Capacity 3500 lbs 4000 lbs 3500 lbs 2250 lbs (11-degree incline)
Line Speed (with load) 10 ft / min 8 ft / min 6 ft / min 2 ft / min
Power In Yes Yes Yes Yes
Power Out Yes Yes Yes Yes
Remote Control Yes (corded) Yes (wireless) Yes (Wireless) No
Backup Hand Crank Yes Yes Yes Yes
Built-in Light No Yes Yes Yes
Pulley Block No No No No
Power Supply 12V DC 12V DC 12V DC 12V DC
Cable Length 36 feet 40 feet 30 feet 50 feet
Net Weight 42 lbs 36 lbs 24 lbs Not listed
Warranty 1 year limited 1 year limited 2 year limited 1 year limited
a

New! ATV Aftermarket Bumpers and Brushguards from ProMark Offroad

ATV Brushguard for Arctic Cat

ATV Brushguard for Arctic Cat

We’ve expanded our product line of ATV bumpers and brushguards to include applications for Polaris, Honda, Arctic Cat, Kawasaki, and Suzuki. These bolt-on applications mount right up to your bike, giving it a tough look and protection from branches, rocks, and other trail hazards. Installation is quick and easy with no modification required.

a

These aftermarket ATV bumpers and brushguards are made from heavy gauge steel and are powdercoated black for a durable finish. These upgrades to your machine protect the headlights and front end (with the brushguard) and the plastic, muffler, and rear end components (with the bumper). Each kit includes a mount kit, bumper or brushguard, hardware, and complete instructions.

  • Suzuki King Quad 450/500/700/750 Rear Bumper 2005-09
  • Suzuki King Quad 450/700/750 Front Brushguard 2007-2009
  • Kawasaki Brute Force 650/750 Rear Bumper 2005-2010
  • Kawasaki Brute Force 650/750 Front Brushguard 2005-2009
  • Suzuki Twin Peaks 700 Rear Bumper 2004-2006
  • Suzuki Twin Peaks Front Brushguard 2004-2006
  • Kawasaki Prairie 700 Rear Bumper 2004-2006
  • Kawasaki Prairie 700 Front Brushguard 2004-2006
  • Honda Foreman Rubicon Rear Bumper 2006-2009
  • Honda Foreman Rubicon Front Brushguard 2006-2009
  • Arctic Cat Rear Bumper 400/500/650/700
  • Arctic Cat Front Brushguard 2002-2004
  • Polaris Sportsman Rear Bumper 2005-2010
  • Polaris Sportsman Front Brushguard 2005-2010
  • Polaris Ranger Rear Bumper 2005-2009
  • Polaris Ranger Front Brushguard 2005-2009

Prices start as low as $109.99, with free shipping to the lower 48 states. See our ATV bumpers and brushguards for more information.

Introducing Email Newsletters from ProMark Offroad

Did you see our first email newsletter? In an effort to serve our customers better, ProMark Offroad is now sending out monthly email newsletters, featuring an offroad pic of the month (submitted by customers), winching tips, and the latest ProMark news.

Why sign up for the ProMark newsletter?

  • Stay up to date with the latest winch reviews, offroad stories, and how-to’s
  • Get a free winch cover when you submit an offroad photo for our newsletter
  • Be the first to find out about new products and special offers

Get on the subscriber list by visiting our homepage and entering your email in the mailing list box below the banner image, as shown below:

Email Signup Box

How to Unbind Pinched Winch Cable

Raider Moab with ProMark Winch

Use your truck or ATV to unbind a pinched winch cable.

If you’ve ever gotten your winch cable pinched between the drum and the rod, you know what a pain it is to dig out. Freespooling won’t get you anywhere, and jerking on it with your hands won’t make it budge. If the cable is pinched tight enough, it’s going to take a lot more power than that.

a

Cable binding and pinching can happen for a number of reasons, for example, an off-kilter pull, loose wraps on the drum, or other improper winching techniques. In any of these cases, strands of cable can overlap, crisscross, pile up on one side of the drum, or get pinched in the winch housing.

How to Unbind Winch Cable

If the winch cable gets hopelessly pinched, to the point where freespooling is impossible, the first thing to try is to hook the winch cable to a tree or anchor point and pull it loose. Use a tree strap to attach the cable to the anchor point. Then back up the ATV or truck while powering out the winch. If that doesn’t work, try powering the winch in while you maintain backwards pressure with the vehicle.

Keep Safety in Mind

If the cable does not come loose right away, try powering in and out a few more times, but don’t work at it so long and hard that you damage the winch or vehicle. And don’t throw safety precautions out the wind. All the same winch safety rules still apply. Don’t jerk the cable. It’s not designed to withstand shock forces. Also, keep bystanders well away from the winching operation. Severe pinching and binding can weaken the cable and make it more susceptible to break. Use extreme caution when attempting to free a pinched winch cable.

Other Suggestions for Untangling Winch Cable

If pulling the cable out with your ATV or truck doesn’t work, you’re basically left with the option of taking your winch off the vehicle or trying to free the cable with a screwdriver or other tools. If your winch is behind the bumper, you may not be able to reach it with tools unless you remove the bumper and winch.

Once you get the cable loose, spool the line all the way out and inspect the cable for weak spots, snapped wires, or permanent kinks. Flex the cable to remove any temporary kinks or compression. Replace the cable if there is any sign of damage. Then respool the cable with the proper tension in tight, even layers.

What Is the Difference Between a Winch and a Hoist?

XT 4000 lb ATV winch

This XT 4000 lb winch is designed with a dynamic braking system and is not approved for use as a hoist.

They might look fairly similar, but winches and hoists are made for two different purposes. A winch is designed to pull a heavy load across a fairly level surface or a slight incline. A hoist is designed to lift a load vertically or up a sharp incline (greater than 45 degrees).

a

The main difference between a winch and a hoist is the braking system. Most offroad winches are made with dynamic brakes, meaning that the gear system is designed to automatically hold the load. A dynamic brake uses the gears in the winch to provide resistance, acting as a brake. But with this type of braking system, the winch line could bleed out slightly under a heavy enough load. Dynamic braking is not safe for suspended loads. If you try using your winch as a hoist, the load could slip, creating a danger hazard, or the gears could strip out, damaging the winch.

A hoist, on the other hand, includes a mechanical braking system, which is a physical brake that locks the spool in place so that there is no line bleed. In addition, there is no freespool mechanism available on a hoist.

Some specially-manufactured winches are designed to double as a hoist. In order for these devices to act as a hoist, the device must include a locking brake and no freespool mechanism (or the freespool must be completely removed or disabled). Never use a winch as a hoist unless the manufacturer specifically states that the winch is approved for use as a hoist.