I have a Smittybuilt 12k pounder on my bobber with 53" XZLs. My truck weighs in around 12k pounds. The truck was stuck pretty good, and the winch wasn't enough to get it out. Never had a winch be too weak before, but then again I usually drive Jeeps. Regardless, the winch was 500 bucks new, and I mounted it to the stock bumper with a winch plate from Harbor Freight. I welded some gussets on it to make it a little more stout, and less likely to rip off. Smittybuilt just came out with as 15k winch that might work better. They are 12v winches, and I know everybody talks about current draw differences.....running one battery down faster.....etc, but it was cheap, it gets me out of trouble when I'm in a pickle, and thats what I needed. it doesn't stick out very far past the front of the bumper, eliminating the approach angle issue, and keeping me from hitting things. I hooked it up on a 24v setup and have run it this way for almost a year. I've only used the winch a few times, for short pulls, and to pull a tree down, but it works. I'm not an electrician, and don't have extensive knowledge of voltage ratings, etc, but this setup is working for me. I also have a 3k pound winch in the bed for pulling my sandrail up in the back. It is running on 24v as well, and is working just fine. I also have 12v LED tail lights, and those are working just fine on the 24v system too. I guess things are just more flexible than most would think.
Bottom line is, the 12k winch was cheap, fit where I needed it to, was light, gets the job done, and is still working, a year later. You make the choice of what to spend, but know that you have options.