WARN Epic Gear Line

Warns Epic Line

About 2 years ago, I first saw Warn's epic shackles and was very impressed by the nontraditional styling. Upon handling I saw the weight rating of 9 ton and with a standard shackle of the same size rated typically for 4 ¾ ton I knew why they chose the word Epic for this product. With the increased weight rating I wanted to get a set of them right away and about 1 year later I was finally able to get myself a set.  Since the Warn Epic Line shackles arrived I have been using them and the rest of the Epic line on a regular basis.  So how did the Warn Epic Line do in the hands of Off Road Consulting? Below is our review on what we experienced and our thoughts of each product pertaining to the Warn Epic Line including the Shackle, Tree trunk protector, Snatch Block and Winch Hook.  Included is Warn’s information to show specifications.

Epic Line Shackle
Right away we noticed that there is a longer neck to these shackles which allows for a slightly larger bow for straps to fit in.  Sizes come in ¾” and ½”.  Off Road Consulting tested with the ¾”.
 We had heard that these shackles were prone to peeling coating and rusting. To determine if there was any truth to this we left our Warn Epic on the front of our Off Road Training vehicle to be used and abused daily on and off road.
Despite being dipped in mud on a regular basis, pulled and hooked to regularly, covered in bug debris from highway driving and the constant banging off the bumper, there is not a single chip.
Factor in being dropped regularly during winch hook ups, recoveries, and other demonstrations the coating, but more importantly the product holds up flawlessly.
Needles to say these are awesome shackles!
Not only are they stylish and nontraditional shape, they have a strong weight capacity, and as with other  WARN products, they are durable, reliable and dependable. With the weight ratings on these you have exactly what you need in a steel shackle.

Warn offers the following information:
     This forged steel clevis shackle provides a means for connecting the looped ends of cables, straps, and snatch blocks. The shackle's pin is threaded to allow easy removal. For maximum protection against wear and abrasion, the premium shackle uses Cerakote coating.

PN 92092 Epic Shackle - For 5,000 lb. (2268 kg) capacity winches and under. 1/2" (12.7mm) shackle with 5/8" (15.9mm) pin diameter.

PN 92093 Epic Shackle 3/4" - For 18,000 lb. (8165 kg) capacity winches and under. 3/4" (20mm) shackle with 7/8" (22mm) pin diameter

Warn Epic Tree Trunk Protector
Tree trunk protectors, they are not very complex but they serve a huge purpose.
Right away we could tell the Warn Epic Tree Trunk Protector is unique and with our 4”x 8’ tree trunk protector we took it to the woods.
We were a little skeptical with the steel rings as opposed to the loop ends in a normal tree protector.
The steel rings add a little weight but they actually help make hook up a lot smoother and the rings allow for an easy seat in winch hook, steel shackle, or soft shackle.
  Again the product is tough and has been abused to the rated weights and keeps asking for more all while doing its job.
  The red warning marker is always a wonderful add on for safety and shows you when the product needs replaced.

Warn offers the following information:
The WARN Epic Tree Trunk Protector is designed to help protect a live tree from damage during winching operations and self recovery situations. The strap is constructed of premium quality nylon with an encased red warning marker to indicate damaged webbing. Plus, end loops are reinforced with durable forged steel ring connectors and E-coated for premium protection against wear and abrasion.

PN 92096 4" x 8' (10cm x 2.4m) Rated to 30,000 lbs. (13607 kg)

PN 92095 2" x 8' (5cm x 2.4m) Rated to 14,400 lbs. (6531 kg)

PN 92094 1" x 8' (2.5cm x 2.4m) Rated to 7,200 lbs. (3265 kg)


Warn Epic Snatch Block
Our next product to test was the Warn Epic Snatch Block and with the 18,000lbs snatch block in hand we went to work. You won't hear the word beautiful often when it comes to recovery gear but this snatch block is constructed well and has beautiful styling but better than that, it works flawlessly.  This isn’t the light weight, light duty models of before, these are heavy duty and built tough.  With all these factors the outcome is easy and safer winching. The built in grease fitting help keeps the pulley spinning freely.  When you have these types of forces happening in a recovery you want a product that can take it and the Warn Epic Line is that product.

Used properly, the multi-purpose WARN Epic Snatch Block can double the pulling power of any winch or change your pulling direction without damaging the wire or synthetic rope. It also helps to reduce heat buildup and amp draw during recovery. Finished with E-coat and able to accept both wire and synthetic rope, the forged steel Epic Snatch Block is reliable, durable and ready for action.

PN 92097: Rated to 5,000 lbs. (2268 kg) winch capacity and under

PN 92188 Rated to 12,000 lbs. (5443 kg) winch capacity and under

PN 93195: Rated to 18,000 lbs. (8165 kg) winch capacity and under

Warn Epic Winch Hook
We tested the 18,000 lb. winch hook on our Toyota Tundra tow rig as it is a heavy vehicle and we wanted to have strength where needed.  The size of the throat of the hook is adequate for bigger tree savers and straps, something not found very commonly with winch hooks.  The auto closing clasp is a lot stronger than the winch hooks of old.  Common hooks have a very cheesy clasp to close the throat.  The epic winch hook has a beefy clasp that locks everything in securely.  We put the Warn Epic Winch Hook through its paces winching some serious loads and didn’t have a single issue.

Warn offers the following information:

     Made from ultra-strong forged steel, the WARN Epic Winch Hook with E-coat finish provides maximum protection and reliability against wear and abrasion.

PN 92090 (3/8") For 12,000 lb. (4536 kg) capacity winches and under. Note: will fit Spydura Ropes (PN: 87915 and 88468) and Spydura Pro (PN: 93120 and 96040)

PN 92091 (1/2") For 18,000 lb. (8165 kg) capacity winches and under. Note: Will only fit wire rope products, not Spydura or Spydura Pro.  We found it fit all of our synthetic rope and steel cables.

  
From real world recoveries to company winch training's and safety demonstrations, Off Road Consulting has put the Warn Epic Line through some real tests and the products have always come out on top. When you are out in the field and the trails call for a recovery, you want safe and reliable hook ups. With the Warn Epic Line you can be confident that when used properly no job is too tough for WARN.