I've got an EPi 9 and I asked about the free spool being stiff, it's down to the oil in the gearbox so once it's had some use it will improve (or I can try a thinner oil).
Until recenlty everyone talked about 9,000lb winches as being all you'd ever need. That's powerfull enough to lift 2 LR vertically on the first wind of the drum. Notice, the first wind.
If like most of us you only ever pay out a few meters then you're on the second or third wind and that 9,000lb becomes about 6,000lb
You can double the line pull by using a pulley block, if not more because then you can empty the drum. Interestingly it will winch nearly as fast because the motor runs faster under half load and then draws less current.
Go for an external drum brake like the Superwinch then you can safely use synthetic rope (lighter, safer) without worrying about the brake heating up and melting the rope.
If it's living on the truck then waterproofing is going to be important.
You want a decent remote, easy to use free-spool, external brake, in excess of 9,000lb for a LR with a couple of horses in the motor. If you aren't competing don't worry about line pull times.
My advice, Seperwinch or the Goldfish from Dave Bowyer. See him at Donnington in Feb and I think you'll get one at a good price.
