Hitch-Mounted Winch? Front and REAR?

[Mrknowitall]

Also, what is a decent size winch for my Montero?

An 8 or 9k winch is plenty for a Montero. I used to skid my Bronco around all day long with Warn XD9000. On the off chance that it isn't enough, you can always use a snatch block. After you get into the next bigger group of winches (10k+), the cable typically goes up to 3/8", so it become even more cumbersome, unless you spring for synthetic. For my money, I'd look for the fastest 8000# winch your budget will bear. Bigger winches will either be slower (same motor, more reduction) or draw more current (bigger motor, same gears).

 

[Monterorider]

Definitely there are scenarios when you could really use winch on the back but seem like majority involves pulling though. I'd really hate to deal with installing winch in cradle while buried in the muck, icy water, stopped on steep slope, facing an obstacle or rock in front of winch mount.

 

[off-roader]

Definitely there are scenarios when you could really use winch on the back but seem like majority involves pulling though. I'd really hate to deal with installing winch in cradle while buried in the muck, icy water, stopped on steep slope, facing an obstacle or rock in front of winch mount.

Same here and why I don't recommend it but this is based primarily on the type of terrain you're wheeling in.

If it's difficult to traverse on foot (off camber, low traction, deep mud/snow/sand, large rocks w/ lots of nooks and crannies to twist your ankle on, etc.) then toting 100lbs worth of winch between the front and back of your rig will not be a simple task as it would be if you were in your driveway or on a level hard packed dirt trail for that matter.

Again though it really depends on the kind of off roading you'll be doing.:smiley_drive:

 

[Bergum]

Oh. That's just wrong.
Winch in the back is for self recovery. That is when you have driven yourself into trouble, either has the nose into water/rock/snakepit or you are simply driving alone.
99% of your winching will then be backwards. And where do you keep your winch when it is not in use? Inside or back in your car. Free from salt and dirt.
When you are out playing with your friends, then it will already be sitting in the front to show off...

Catch my point???

B4x4.no

 

[off-roader]

Oh. That's just wrong.
Winch in the back is for self recovery. That is when you have driven yourself into trouble, either has the nose into water/rock/snakepit or you are simply driving alone.
99% of your winching will then be backwards. And where do you keep your winch when it is not in use? Inside or back in your car. Free from salt and dirt.
When you are out playing with your friends, then it will already be sitting in the front to show off...

Catch my point???

B4x4.no

Oh I do. I don't disagree. My point was that there are other types of off roading (rock crawling, technical trail riding with a group) where you're usually trying to use a winch to pull forward and not backwards and this is the kind of 4 wheeling I'm mostly doing. To pull my rig backwards there are usually others who can use a strap on me (which in my experience is usually quicker and easier). Additionally it can be extremely dangerous to try to heft said winch & cradle to the front and mount it these kinds of trails.

Again, this is academic at this point since the OP has clearly indicated they don't have the same needs.

OK, back to your scheduled programming.

 

[Monterorider]

Oh. That's just wrong.
Winch in the back is for self recovery. That is when you have driven yourself into trouble, either has the nose into water/rock/snakepit or you are simply driving alone.
99% of your winching will then be backwards.

Catch my point???

B4x4.no

Well driven into trouble as in made it through 100 ft of mud bog, bogged down at the end. Do you winch yourself backwards or forward? Crossing a river with steep bank. It may even be plain obvious you can't make it out on other side so you have to winch yourself up. Receiver mounted winch may hamper you approach angle enough that it might literally hit the wall or conversely winch may have to literally lift front end of rig up. I'd prefer doing that with as little leverage as possible. There is a reason why receivers are rated for hundreds of pound vertical load not thousands.

Of course like Off-roader said very (non)academic arguing at this point.

 

[Monterorider]

I don't have a lot of personal experience but had acquaintance that started new to off road with: Oh high lift and some chains all I need. Tried once moved on to pull through cable hand winch, tried it -> move on to oh the winch on cradle is best of all. Sunk into mud, almost broke his leg hauling it around, as soon as he got back he finally got himself front hard mounted winch "just like everyone else". Not that this story has any scientific value. Try and see if it works for you. all you'd loose in worst case is price of cradle. Peanuts compared to price of nice winch or good tires for that matter.

 

[toymaster]

Oh. That's just wrong.
Winch in the back is for self recovery. That is when you have driven yourself into trouble, either has the nose into water/rock/snakepit or you are simply driving alone.
99% of your winching will then be backwards. And where do you keep your winch when it is not in use? Inside or back in your car. Free from salt and dirt.
When you are out playing with your friends, then it will already be sitting in the front to show off...

Catch my point???

B4x4.no

Ya'll must do things differently in Norway. Of course, I have never driven into a crevasse before.

I don't have a lot of personal experience but had acquaintance that started new to off road with: Oh high lift and some chains all I need. Tried once moved on to pull through cable hand winch, tried it -> move on to oh the winch on cradle is best of all. Sunk into mud, almost broke his leg hauling it around, as soon as he got back he finally got himself front hard mounted winch "just like everyone else". Not that this story has any scientific value....

I disagree, your story has value...trial and error is a great learning tool. There is a reason, and you have given an example, why we mount the winch on front and permanent.

 

[Mudrunner]

Why not just get a solid mount front winch and then get a smaller lightweight winch you could attach to your rear bumper or use else where. I doubt you will need a 12k winch at the camp site, so a little ATV or just a small one that mounts to the receiver hitch would be nice.

 

[crazyeyez]

You'd only save a fraction of the weight by switching. Maybe 10-15lbs of savings max. from what I could tell.

Sorry but you are removing 35-40 pounds and replacing it with 2-3 pounds. If you ever get the chance hold a wire cable and roller fairlead in one hand and a syn rope w/aluminum hawse in the other. The difference is quit impressive. My warn HD power plant with viking syn rope is shockingly light.

We're both wrong actually. The number for me is closer to 23lbs, not 10-15 (I'm using 3/8"x100' steel line which I recently replaced with Masterpull's 3/8x100 synthetic.

​

This is taken from Viking's website at http://www.winchline.com/faq.html​

75lbs is alot better then 100 or more.

and my personal reasons for the cradle mount....
bone stock, tryed to play on the edge of the water, gravel tryed to eat my truck. front hitch would of saved the joys of being pulled out by a Ram 2500 4x4 diesel...

after lift. rear mount would have been able to pull me out.

 

[Monterorider]

Well, on the first pic hard mount winch would have worked just as well. IF you had something to hook it up to. Second one. What were you thinking? Slick street tires, knee deep mudhole. Same could be said about first one as well though.

 

[crazyeyez]

Yea, i know. I know. Wasnt trying to get too deep either time. The water one, i kinda slide out as i tryed to get out. Second one, really did not look like much. Both spots are out at the same ORV park in Ky. Plenty of trees that should have been good enough. The tires i have are good for trails, but not anything like it turned out to be.

 

[Bergum]

That is not thinking. Thinking is something to do after the fun...

No.
The better equipped you are, the longer into trouble you get.
The simpler the ride is, the more fun on easy grounds you have (and more people to clap and to help you get unstuck)...

B4x4.no