The VRX 45-S is the top of Warn's VRX range and the one built for the machines that actually work: full-size UTVs and side-by-sides that are hauling, towing or getting themselves out of places a quad would not have gone. At 4,500 lb it carries 50' of 1/4" Warn synthetic rope through a hawse fairlead, and unlike the smaller VRX models it comes with both a dash-mounted rocker control switch and a corded remote, so you can run the winch from the seat or stand well clear of the line while it works. It is a physically bigger winch than the 25 and 35, at nearly 15" long on the wider 3.0" x 6.59" bolt pattern.
What's Included:
Warn VRX 45-S powersports winch, rated at 4,500 lb
50' of 1/4" (6.4mm) Warn synthetic rope, factory spooled on the drum
Hawse fairlead
Zinc-plated clevis hook with Warn hook strap
Dash-mounted rocker control switch and corded remote
Wiring harness and terminal hardware
Warn installation and operating instructions
Vehicle-specific winch mount kit NOT included, sold separately
Features
4,500 lb of Rated Pull for UTVs Warn rates the VRX 45-S at 4,500 lb on the first layer of the drum and publishes what happens as the drum fills rather than hiding it: 4,500 lb on layer 1, 3,749 lb on layer 2, 3,212 lb on layer 3, 2,810 lb on layer 4. Warn positions this capacity for UTVs and side-by-sides. Pull enough rope off to work on the lower layers for a hard recovery, or rig a snatch block and halve the load on the line.
50' of 1/4" Warn synthetic rope on a hawse fairlead This is the synthetic-rope build. 50' of 1/4" (6.4mm) Warn synthetic rope runs through a hawse fairlead, which is the correct pairing because synthetic must never run over rollers. Against steel of the same rating it saves real weight at the very front of the machine, it does not develop the broken strands that make used steel line unpleasant to handle, and if it parts under load it drops instead of whipping. That last point is the one worth paying for.
The Top of the VRX Line, and a Bigger Winch Physically The VRX 45-S is not simply the 35-S with a bigger number on it. It moves to a longer 14.96" body, a wider 3.0" x 6.59" bolt pattern, a larger motor and a different control package with a corded remote alongside the dash switch. That means it will not drop into a mount cut for the smaller VRX models, and it means the buying decision is partly about whether your machine has the room. If it does, this is the most capable winch Warn builds in its value-assembled line.
All-Metal Construction, Not Just an All-Metal Claim The housing, the tie plate and the three-stage planetary gear train are all metal. There is no plastic in the load path, which is the difference between a winch that survives a season of being packed with mud and hosed off and one that develops play. The VRX 45-S carries a semi-gloss black powder coat over the castings and stainless steel fasteners throughout, so the corrosion resistance holds up after the powder coat gets chipped.
IP68 Sealing, Sealed Rather Than Gasketed Full IP68 waterproof sealing means the winch is rated for continuous immersion rather than splash resistance. On a quad the winch sits low and forward, ahead of the radiator and below the axle line, so it goes through every puddle, creek and drift before the rest of the machine does. That is a harsher environment than the front of a truck, and it is why the sealing spec is the first number worth checking on a powersports winch.
Clutch Built on Warn's Hub-Lock Engineering The free-spool clutch is derived from the 4WD hub-lock design Warn has been refining since the 1940s. Disengaging it lets you pull rope out by hand rather than powering it out, which is faster to rig and saves the battery. It engages positively rather than by feel, so you know the drum is locked before you take up load.
Load-Holding Mechanical Brake The brake engages on its own the moment the motor stops, and it is a mechanical brake rather than a reliance on gearbox friction. On a slope that is the difference between a controlled recovery and a machine that walks backwards every time you let go of the switch. It is also what lets a winch be used as a lift for a plow blade without the blade settling.
Designed, Engineered and Assembled in the USA Warn designs, engineers and assembles the VRX line in the United States, and backs the VRX 45-S with a limited lifetime warranty on mechanical components and a three year warranty on electrical components.
Fitment & Compatibility
Machine
Fit
UTVs and side-by-sides
✓ Yes, this is what Warn rates the VRX 45-S for
Large ATVs
● Works, with plenty of headroom
Four-seat and heavily loaded UTVs
● Consider the 5,500 lb AXON 55 for more margin
Full-size trucks and SUVs
✗ No. This is a powersports winch. Warn builds a separate truck and SUV winch line for those vehicles
Any machine without a winch mount fitted
● Requires a vehicle-specific mount kit, which is sold separately. The VRX 45-S bolts to a 3.0" x 6.59" (76.2mm x 167.4mm) pattern
Fit guidance: This is a universal-fit powersports winch, not a vehicle-specific part, so there is no year, make and model lookup for it. You size it by machine and by how hard you expect the winch to work: Warn rates the VRX 45-S at 4,500 lb and positions it for UTVs and side-by-sides. A winch running near its rating draws its highest current, runs its hottest and moves the line slowest, so buying a size up is buying margin rather than bragging rights. The fitment question that actually decides whether you can use this winch is the mount. Powersports winches bolt to a vehicle-specific mount kit that is sold separately, and the mount has to match both the bolt pattern (3.0" x 6.59" (76.2mm x 167.4mm), 4 holes) and the physical space behind your bumper. Confirm the mount kit for your machine before ordering. Do not use this winch to recover a full-size truck or SUV; it is not rated for that and Warn builds a separate line for it.
Specifications
Model: VRX 45-S
Part Number: 101040
Vehicle Class: Powersports, ATV and UTV. Not a truck or SUV winch
Rated Line Pull: 4,500 lb (2,041 kg) single line, first layer
Motor: 12V DC, permanent magnet
Gear Train: All-metal three-stage planetary
Rope: 50' of 1/4" (6.4mm) Warn synthetic rope
Fairlead: Hawse fairlead
Hook: Zinc-plated clevis hook
Brake: Automatic load-holding mechanical brake
Clutch: Free spooling, clutch based on Warn's 4WD hub-lock design
Controls Included: Dash-mounted rocker control switch and corded remote
Waterproof Rating: IP68
Finish: Semi-gloss black powder coat with stainless steel fasteners
Mount Type: Fixed mount. A vehicle-specific winch mount kit is required and sold separately
Line Speed, No Load: 16.2 ft/min (4.9 m/min), 20 amps
Line Speed at Rated Pull: 4.3 ft/min (1.3 m/min), 252 amps
Dimensions: A 14.96" (380.2mm), B 4.74" (120.5mm), C 3.15" (80mm), D 3.99" (101.4mm), E 5.02" (127.6mm), F 5.19" (132mm), lettered as on Warn's drawing
Mounting Bolt Pattern: 3.0" x 6.59" (76.2mm x 167.4mm), 4 holes
Country of Origin: USA, designed, engineered and assembled in the United States
Shipping Weight: 27 lb
UPC: 012748056003
Warranty: Limited lifetime mechanical, 3 year electrical
Installation
Type: Bolt-in to a vehicle-specific powersports winch mount kit, plus a battery connection · Time: About 1 to 2 hours, most of it the mount and the wiring · Tools: Metric sockets and wrenches, a torque wrench, and wire cutters or crimpers for routing the battery leads · Difficulty: Straightforward for anyone comfortable working on their own machine
The winch itself is four bolts. The work is the mount and the wiring. Fit the vehicle-specific mount kit for your machine first, then bolt the VRX 45-S to it on the 3.0" x 6.59" (76.2mm x 167.4mm), 4 holes pattern and torque the fasteners to Warn's specification. Route the power leads to the battery away from moving suspension, hot exhaust and steering components, and keep the run as short and as well supported as you can. Mount the control switch where you can reach it without taking your eyes off the machine. Before you rely on it, disengage the clutch and pull the rope out by hand, then power it back in under a light load so the first layer beds evenly on the drum. A winch spooled loose from the factory will bury its own line into the lower layers on the first hard pull.
Resources
Everything you need for your Warn VRX 45-S Powersports Winch, in one place.
VRX & AXON Winch Operator's Manual (PDF), Warn's operator manual for the VRX and AXON families, covering mounting, electrical connections, first time operation, rigging and maintenance.
Warranty. Warn limited lifetime warranty on mechanical components and a three year warranty on electrical components.
Free shipping. This item ships free to the lower 48 states. Because it is an oversized item, it ships by freight and typically arrives in 3 to 7 business days.
Inspect on delivery. Please inspect the packaging before signing. If you see any damage, note it on the delivery receipt and contact us right away, and we will make it right.
About Warn
Warn Industries has been building vehicle recovery equipment since 1948, when Arthur Warn started converting surplus military Jeeps for civilian roads with a locking hub of his own design. Those hubs led to winches, and the winches made Warn the name that shows up on the front of working machines rather than show machines. The company is headquartered in Clackamas, Oregon, and the VRX line is designed, engineered and assembled in the United States.
The VRX exists because Warn refused to answer the value end of the powersports market with a thinner product. It keeps the all-metal construction and the all-metal three-stage planetary gear train from the expensive winches, it is sealed to IP68 rather than merely gasketed, and its free-spool clutch is derived from the same 4WD hub-lock engineering Warn has been refining since the 1940s. What you give up against the AXON is the digital control system, not the mechanical hardware. That is a deliberate choice, and it is why the mechanical side of the warranty runs for the life of the product.
Prestige Truck is an authorized Warn dealer. Every winch we ship is new and factory boxed, carries the full Warn factory warranty, and is supported through Warn's own dealer and service network.
Compare The Range
How this compares to similar models
The closest alternatives side by side, so you do not have to keep tabs open.
Model
This OneWarn VRX 45-S Powersports Winch, 4,500 lb, 50' 1/4" Synthetic Rope and Hawse Fairlead (101040)
Warn's side-by-side look at its two US-assembled powersports lines.
Useful if you are weighing the digital control system and Motactor of the AXON against the simpler, less expensive VRX, because it lays out what each line is actually built for rather than just listing features.
Powersports Basic Guide To Winching
Warn's own primer for anyone new to running a winch on an ATV or side-by-side. It covers the parts of the winch, what the recovery accessories are for, and how to rig a pull without hurting yourself or the machine.
This is a general technique guide from Warn, not an installation walkthrough for this part.
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers on specs, fit and support
Will the VRX 45-S fit a mount made for the VRX 25 or 35?
No. The 25 and 35 use a 3.0" x 4.87" bolt pattern and are about 13" long. The 45-S uses the wider 3.0" x 6.59" pattern and is 14.96" long. If you are upgrading from a smaller VRX you will need a mount kit that matches the larger pattern, and you should check that the extra two inches of length actually clears inside your bumper before ordering.
What controls come with it?
Warn ships the VRX 45-S with a dash-mounted rocker control switch and a corded remote. That is a step up from the VRX 25 and 35, which come with a handlebar-mounted rocker switch only. The corded remote is the one you want for a serious recovery, because it lets you stand out of line with the rope while the winch is under load. Warn's studio photograph of this part shows only the switch module, but the corded remote is listed in Warn's own included-items specification.
Do I need anything else to fit this winch to my machine?
Yes, a mount. Powersports winches are universal in the sense that they are not tied to one model, but they bolt to a vehicle-specific winch mount kit that is made for your machine and sold separately. The VRX 45-S uses a 3.0" x 6.59" (76.2mm x 167.4mm), 4 holes bolt pattern, so the mount has to match that pattern and there has to be room behind your bumper for a winch of this size. Confirm the mount kit for your year, make and model before ordering, and check the electrical connection to the battery while you are at it.
How do I look after the synthetic rope?
Keep it clean and keep it off sharp edges. Grit worked into the fibres is what wears synthetic rope from the inside, so rinse it if it has been through mud or sand and let it dry before it goes away wet for a long period. Spool it back on under light tension rather than letting it pile up loose, because a loose wrap buries into the layers underneath on the next hard pull. Watch for fuzzing and cut fibres near the hook end, which is where the wear concentrates, and never run synthetic rope over a roller fairlead. This winch ships with a hawse fairlead, which is the correct pairing.
How waterproof is it really?
The VRX is sealed to IP68, a continuous-immersion rating rather than a splash rating. Water crossings, deep mud, snow and hosing the machine down are all well inside what it covers. It is one of the genuine reasons to choose a VRX over a cheaper winch, because on a powersports machine the winch sits low and forward, directly in whatever you drive through.
Does it really pull its full rating no matter how much rope is out?
No, and Warn publishes the honest numbers instead of only the headline. The 4,500 lb rating is on the first layer of the drum. As the drum fills, leverage drops: 4,500 lb on layer 1, 3,749 lb on layer 2, 3,212 lb on layer 3, 2,810 lb on layer 4. For a hard pull, spool out enough rope to work on the lower layers, or rig a snatch block, which halves the load on the line and doubles what the winch can move.
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Warn VRX 45-S Powersports Winch, 4,500 lb, 50' 1/4" Synthetic Rope and Hawse Fairlead (101040)
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