When it comes to recovery, WARN is the brand to beat. Beginning during World War II, jeeps and now standard equipment on many Can-Am® ATVs and SSVs, WARN is the name that serious off-road enthusiasts trust. We talked with them about their awesome WARN Can-Am Commander™ and the importance of being prepared for the unexpected.
Can-Am: Tell us a little bit about your company and how you got into the off-road and power sports industry
WARN: WARN Industries was founded in 1948 by Arthur Warn. He had invented locking hubs for surplus World War II jeeps. In 1959, he offered the first electric winch intended for a vehicle (again, a jeep), and kept growing the company. Over time, WARN began offering new, innovative products and built up quite a following due to the durability and performance of the products. WARN was also the first company to offer a dedicated power sports winch, beginning in the mid-1980s.
Can-Am: Last year we featured the WARN Commander. Why did you choose Can-Am as your show vehicle?
Warn: We’ve got a great relationship with Can-Am, and this year we’ve made some more modifications to our Commander to give it a fresh new look.
Can-Am: Can you give us a breakdown on the build and what modifications have been installed?
WARN:
WARN ProVantage 45000-S winch
WARN Bumper
WARN WXT-400 HID lights
WARN WXT-200 HID lights
WARN Light Mounts
Custom headlight conversion using WARN lights
WARN Dual Battery Kit
WARN Body Armor
WARN XT17 Portable in the bed
Custom roof basket
Dragonfire Racing long travel suspension
Dragonfire Racing race cage
Dragonfire/Yoshimura custom exhaust
Dragonfire Race Mirrors
Dragonfire streering wheel
Dragonfire wheel spacers
K&N Filter
Gorilla Axles
Fox Racing shocks
Custom ITP wheels with 30” tires
PRP Seats
Custom paint and pinstriping
Can-Am: Obviously, in order to test your winches in real-world conditions, you’ve got to ride. Where are some of your favorite spots?
WARN: The Oregon Dunes at Sand Lake and North Bend/Coos Bay and Florence are great places to ride. We’ve also got Browns Camp outside of Tillamook, Oregon as well as Christmas Valley in central Oregon. We also love Moab!
Can-Am: In your opinion, what are the strong points of Can-Am Off-Road Vehicles?
WARN: Great power, durability and frankly, they look cool.
Can-Am: Any thoughts on the all-new Maverick?
WARN: Looks like a lot of fun! Can’t wait to get our hands on one!
Can-Am: Can you explain the importance of having a reliable recovery winch on your ATV or SxS?
WARN: When you’re out and get stuck, you need your winch to work. Plus, when you invest in a power sports vehicle and are in a situation where you need to recover the vehicle, you want to make sure your winch is up to pulling your investment!
Can-Am: Why should owners choose a WARN winch above other brands?
WARN: WARN puts an incredible amount of time and effort into the design, testing and manufacturing of our winches. All of our winches undergo rigorous testing in a lab and in the real world before they get into consumers’ hands. Plus, we back all of our winches with a great warranty and customer service that is world class.
Can-Am: Any advice to owners about using recovery winches when they’re out on the trail?
WARN: Safety is of the utmost importance. We recommend all users check out our free Basic Guide to Winching Techniques, which can be downloaded free from our website. This guide is great for both beginners and those looking to brush up on their skills. It will help you get the most out of the product and be safe on the trails.
