Hitch-Mounted Winch? Front and REAR?

[KIRK!]

I'm getting ready to build my own front and rear bumpers. My only issue is what to do with the winch. I know there is a lot of space behind the stock bumper where I could hide it, even with the new bumper, but being new to the scene I keep second guessing myself. Is there ever a need to have the winch at the rear of the rig? I keep debating putting hitches front and rear with the winch on one of those portable platforms so I can store it in the garage when not in use, hit the trails with it on the front, but have the option of putting it in back for recovery too.

Am I over thinking it?

Concerns?

Tips?

Cake recipes?

Thanks!

 

[off-roader]

Have you ever lifted a winch? You're talking ~90+lbs of dead weight for the winch plus the weight of your cradle that you'll need to carry over uneven terrain sometimes through tight confines between the front and rear mounting spot.:Wow1:

You may be better off investing in a couple of pulleys and tree savers/tow straps instead of building a cradle to move between the front/rear. Alternatively if you wheel with a group, you will probably never need a winch in back.

Of course there's always a time when it would be really handy if you can mount it in both locations so just keep the weight of it in mind.

 

[KIRK!]

Yep, weight is definitely one of my concerns, but I will be with others only about half the time. Plus it seems like that much less weight on a daily basis around town.

 

[XJINTX]

Are not hitches rated at 5000 lbs and meant to have direct or straight stress not angles. I be careful putting a winch capable of 8000 + lbs and lines at angles and pulling anything out.

Just my thought...

 

[toymaster]

Short story is mount it on the front permanent. A front winch is 200% more useful than a rear mounted. Rear mount is mostly for the bling factor (I have one). If you are worried about weight get syn rope, aluminum fairlead, and cover; it costs but all things good do.

 

[obscurotron]

Yep, weight is definitely one of my concerns, but I will be with others only about half the time. Plus it seems like that much less weight on a daily basis around town.

I have a CBI front receiver and a rear receiver. The front is wired up, the rear I haven't gotten around to yet. Going to the sticks, the winch rides in the bed, strapped down with chain and turnbuckles. Moving from the bed to the front of the truck is a non-issue (WARN M8000 w/ synthetic line), and if I need more bed space, the winch can ride in the front or rear receiver, locked in.

Around town, no need to carry the extra weight, the winch just stays home. It's very handy, to say the least. Eventually I'll wire the rear and use a Deep Sea 2-position battery switch for a manual disconnect under the hood.

 

[rxinhed]

Of course my Raider has front and rear hitches! Why not? When I was driving her all the time, Roxy received all my Mitsu love, pieces and parts. My intent was to install a winch on the top of the front hitch, as well as use it for a towbar mounting point. The rear hitch was installed and welded up after failure of the several previous center plate mount units. I never intended a rear hitch, since wheeling with buddies would be more than adequate for extraction. Didn't wheel much except on grading jobs, never really needed a winch on my then daily driver.

Front mount:

Rear mount:

Roxy is probably going turbo, returning to driver status, and may have some more fun without being my Ramcharger.

Russell

 

[HenryJ]

I have had great luck using a cradle mounted winch. Synthetic line and a lightweight fairlead do keep the weight down. The ability to swap ends, or even install the winch in another vehicles receiver has been extremely useful. I have a receiver on my trailer and use a cradle mounted winch there too.

I have never had an issue with angled pulls or rigging a pull. Everything must be taken into consideration though. I have used the winch m any more times to assist others , than to recover myself.

Having the option to relocate the winch adds options not otherwise possible.

Nice to leave it safe in the garage for daily commuting. Saves unnecessary weight.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: YUP, pretty hard to argue against a MOBILE for all the reasons --I use two, a light duty (ATV) winch and my Warn 3000/mount and "Snatch Block"-

light duty and can be moved as said--and I can useit in two spots on my trailer-

Couldn't ask for much more, unless you tow a horse withya-

Being mobile, there's no gas mileage/spring sag/radiator blockage- and usually cheaper winchs crap out, so you're just carrying "DEAD" weight !

Can'tbeatem

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[acasper708]

I like the idea of a winch cradle. I have a winch bumper mounted on my Xterra for a year now and haven't put a winch in it or plan to. Maybe I'll add a receiver to it one of these days. My truck is my daily driver. I don't need the extra weight and most importantly I don't need the winch or cable/robe in the elements 24/7. I've seen a few winches fail because of them being exposed to the weather. The road salt, heat, and cold is not good for them.

 

[Mrknowitall]

Hitch mounts are a great option. With a custom front bumper, I'd probably get a dedicated winch though. Some pros and cons of hitch-mount winches:
Pros:
Less weight when you leave it behind- especially nice on the sand dunes.
Electric Q/C front and rear can be used with jumper cables- jumpstart another vehicle from behind.
You can put a receiver mount winch on a trailer or other vehicle, too.
Sometimes its easier to go backwards.
You can carry more stuff on the front receiver, like a small generator. Also a great place to mount a dune flag or tow point.
You can let someone else borrow it.
Cons:
Someone else will want to borrow it.
Not as strong for side pulls.
Heavy to handle, and must be secures VERY well, if carried inside.
Worsens approach/departure angles vs fixed mount (while mounted)
Cost savings from the simpler mount can be eaten up by the HD wiring that needs to go to the back.
Power lead to rear could short if not well protected.

There is a good case for each mounting option. Weigh which of the issues is more or less important to YOU.

 

[toymaster]

^^^^ Don't forget not having when you need it. Most of my use comes at unexpected times.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: Well just FYI-

Hitch mounts are a great option. With a custom front bumper, I'd probably get a dedicated winch though. Some pros and cons of hitch-mount winches:
Pros:
Less weight when you leave it behind- especially nice on the sand dunes.
Electric Q/C front and rear can be used with jumper cables- jumpstart another vehicle from behind.
You can put a receiver mount winch on a trailer or other vehicle, too.
Sometimes its easier to go backwards.
You can carry more stuff on the front receiver, like a small generator. Also a great place to mount a dune flag or tow point.
You can let someone else borrow it.
Cons:
Someone else will want to borrow it.
Not as strong for side pulls.
Heavy to handle, and must be secures VERY well, if carried inside.
Worsens approach/departure angles vs fixed mount (while mounted)
Cost savings from the simpler mount can be eaten up by the HD wiring that needs to go to the back.
Power lead to rear could short if not well protected.

There is a good case for each mounting option. Weigh which of the issues is more or less important to YOU.

In respect to your (cons)
Someone else will want to borrowit---TRUE
Not as strong for side pulls----SNATCH BLOCKS/TREES/ROCKS
Worsens approach angle---DON'T DRIVE WITH IT INSTALLED
Cost savings can be eaten up @@@---USE HD JUMPER CABLES
Power lead to rear@@@-NONE-USE JUMPER CABLES

Tharts just for me and my trailer, with trailer I travel with 4 hitch points for mobile winch install.-

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[GrassCat]

In respect to your (cons)
Someone else will want to borrowit---TRUE
Not as strong for side pulls----SNATCH BLOCKS/TREES/ROCKS The part inserted into the receiver will still bend.
Worsens approach angle---DON'T DRIVE WITH IT INSTALLED He said " Heavy to handle, and must be secures VERY well, if carried inside."
Cost savings can be eaten up @@@---USE HD JUMPER CABLES Jumpered to what?
Power lead to rear@@@-NONE-USE JUMPER CABLES Jumper cables are too small to carry the current required to run a hard working wench plus the clamps are not going to make a good contact.

I'm not picking on you, just throwing out my thoughts.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: Heh Heh, I know that and if you're going out every trek to do heavy winch work--my mobile system isn't sat.

I'm not picking on you, just throwing out my thoughts.

My two winchs, I carry in my trailer and the 3000lb unit weighs about 45lbs and I use HD JUMPER CABLES and they are bigger than the cables supplied with the winchs

You're right that this system wouldn't work for long periods of HD use, but mine has been sat for all my mundane trailer/log/jeep positioning for years-

Since my off-road lifestyle has been easycome/easygo--I use the light duty mobile winchs

Different strokes for--

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO