Multi-mount winch setup

[Lance990]

Well Hugh , you do have a problem.
I own a 1995 F-350 ,4x4 .
I run the 12000 lb Reece receiver hitch and have no problems mounting my spare under the rig where it belongs.
I think you should re think your hitch.

Based on your comment, I revisited installing the spare under the bed. I had all brand new hardware to do it but couldn't get it to fit last time. So, I took a look at things again and found 2 holes that would work for hanging the spare. I'm not sure they are the right holes but they are holes that work. I think what was throwing me off last time was the hanger for the spare on the driver's side. There is clearly a bracket mounted to the frame that looks like where the hanger would mount but THAT hole would not work. I found a hole on the frame further towards the axle and THAT ONE worked. Not every having the hardware meant that I was unsure which holes to use. There's is plenty of clearance around the spare and it doesn't touch anything so I was able to mount it under the bed. Looks good and frees up my front hitch for a bike rack or winch.

Thanks for making me think more about this!

Hugh

 

[boxcar1]

I'm glad that worked out for you Hugh.

 

[Lance990]

Well, I decided to go with the multi-mount winch setup. I doubt I will ever use the winch so I didn't want to put a lot money into this. A cheap winch that may or may not work is better for me than an expensive winch that I will never use. I bought a Curt winch mount plate for my front receiver and bolted a Badlands 12k lbs winch to it. I even purchased the handles that came with the mount plate to make it easier to mount. I use the supplied 2 gauge wires that came with the winch and installed an Anderson powerpole connection so I can easily connect and disconnect the winch.







I am now looking into bolting a couple of tow hooks to the front frame horns so that I can do a double line pull and take half of the weight off the receiver and put it on the frame of the truck. I have see this done elsewhere on the internet and it involves cutting holes in the bumper to extend the brackets out beyond the bumper. It would be nice if I could go through the accent holes in the bumper but the frame horns don't line up with those holes. I could probably have someone fab a bracket for me that would allow me to use the existing holes but I'm not sure how strong we could make it. The photos below are from this page where a guy added tow hooks to a full size bronco.

 

[boxcar1]

A snatch block will double your pulling power by reducing the gear ratio. But it will not reduce the weight or total load . It will, however transfer part of the load to the snatch point depending upon your angle.
The problem with a receiver mount isn't the load. It's the angle.
If you ever have to use the winch and you find yourself off angle. ( winching sideways vs straight ahead ) . As we all do.
You will quickly understand why a solid mount is preferable.
Rarely is off angle winching part of the equation in most ( HOW TO USE A WNCH ) articles.... But in true practice, unless using a ground anchor, we are nearly always forced to winch off angle.
I carry 4 snatch blocks and lot's of snatch lines . And have used them all on recoveries.
Thankfully , most were others who were stuck. ( I love recovery calls.)

 

[Lance990]

A snatch block will double your pulling power by reducing the gear ratio. But it will not reduce the weight or total load . It will, however transfer part of the load to the snatch point depending upon your angle.
The problem with a receiver mount isn't the load. It's the angle.
If you ever have to use the winch and you find yourself off angle. ( winching sideways vs straight ahead ) . As we all do.
You will quickly understand why a solid mount is preferable.
Rarely is off angle winching part of the equation in most ( HOW TO USE A WNCH ) articles.... But in true practice, unless using a ground anchor, we are nearly always forced to winch off angle.
I carry 4 snatch blocks and lot's of snatch lines . And have used them all on recoveries.
Thankfully , most were others who were stuck. ( I love recovery calls.)

I completely agree with everything you say. Once I twist the receiver off the frame I'll probably use a solid for mount the winch. :Wow1::Wow1: For now, I am satisfied that I at least have some chance at self-recovery before I have to call for help. I like what Boss did in the article above and it does not seem too difficult for me to mount a structural "C" channel to the frame. His came out awesome and I am sure I can do the same. Besides, I won't be taking my 10,000 lbs rig into many low traction situations if I can avoid it.

 

[Motafinga]

I was doing research into adding a winch behind my stock bumper and also stumbled on that thread of Bosses. I came up with a slight variation that also utilizes the exact front hitch you have on my OBS F250 PSD. I need the 2' receiver un occupied for hauling a moto off the front off my truck but wanted a winch without a huge heavy bumper since a bike, winch and bumper would be far to porky all said and done. anyway I welded a winch plate on top of the cross member on the receiver along with a few gussets and it fits (tightly) but perfectly even without cutting the top of the stock bumper. I stole the mag light mount idea from Boss for the plate cause it's just freakin cool.