JoeChiOhki wrote:
Hydraulic if you can afford it :).
The PTO drive gear, controller and wiring, driveshaft, hydraulic pump, mounting and hoses to connect to the winch are pretty expensive to set up. Hydraulic winches aren't cheap either.
For something that may only be used a handful of times, if at all, in the life of the truck, an electric winch would be far more cost effective.
Now if it was for a vocational tow truck, then yes, by all means, get a PTO powered hydraulic winch system, it'll last a lifetime and pay for itself quickly!