Truck camper winch advice

[Kmehr]

After our last camping trip where we really pushed the limits of my driving skills and the truck camper capabilities, I got to really thinking about adding a winch since we’re almost always camping alone. I had a 15k winch on my old truck that was 9,300lbs loaded, and never used it, but we are camping more and more and I’m getting paranoid about getting stuck and not having much in the way of a way out.

My truck is a 22 Ram 2500 cummins. Weighs 8,180lb empty.

With my camper loaded, wet, family and dog, we’re right at 11,400lbs.

Vice Designs makes a really sweet hidden winch mount, that adds no length to my truck, the catch is that it’s built for the Warn VR evo 12, which is fear is not enough.

AEV makes their full bumper, which is really the only bumper I’d put on my truck from a looks standpoint. (Not into the bro-dozer iron cross esthetic, to each their own). This would take a 20k come up winch, however the catch is that a prospector XL is 20’10” long and I was told that’s about what a crew can short bed like mine would be length wise. That very likely would not fit in my garage, which would be a no-go if that didn’t work out.

There are some removable options, but I’d like to avoid those as I don’t want to hike up a 150lb winch every time we go out.

My main question I guess is this- would 12k be enough for my rig given that’s nearly the loaded weight? I can plan to do a double line pull every time, and I won’t winch much. This is more of a security thing.


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[GR8ADV]

After our last camping trip where we really pushed the limits of my driving skills and the truck camper capabilities, I got to really thinking about adding a winch since we’re almost always camping alone. I had a 15k winch on my old truck that was 9,300lbs loaded, and never used it, but we are camping more and more and I’m getting paranoid about getting stuck and not having much in the way of a way out.

My truck is a 22 Ram 2500 cummins. Weighs 8,180lb empty.

With my camper loaded, wet, family and dog, we’re right at 11,400lbs.

Vice Designs makes a really sweet hidden winch mount, that adds no length to my truck, the catch is that it’s built for the Warn VR evo 12, which is fear is not enough.

AEV makes their full bumper, which is really the only bumper I’d put on my truck from a looks standpoint. (Not into the bro-dozer iron cross esthetic, to each their own). This would take a 20k come up winch, however the catch is that a prospector XL is 20’10” long and I was told that’s about what a crew can short bed like mine would be length wise. That very likely would not fit in my garage, which would be a no-go if that didn’t work out.

There are some removable options, but I’d like to avoid those as I don’t want to hike up a 150lb winch every time we go out.

My main question I guess is this- would 12k be enough for my rig given that’s nearly the loaded weight? I can plan to do a double line pull every time, and I won’t winch much. This is more of a security thing.


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Snatch block

 

[Roam.Wild]

Only used the winch (Warn12s EVO) on our power wagon 2x while we had it, both times for other people, but it's always nice to have it for that time you really need it!! The Warn 12S EVO is more than enough, especially if you double line it like GR8 said. If you were winching every weekend I'd say get something beefier with a dedicated bumper, but for the once in a blue moon the Warn will be a great piece of kit

 

[Kmehr]

This is exactly what I was hoping to hear! I’m fine to spend money on good stuff, but it’s a big bonus that the Vice setup is half the cost!


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[SDDiver5]

Was it this form that had a massive online argument over snatch blocks and if they really do double the pulling power?

Anyway, OP, I imagine the warn 12S will do what you want it to but wanted to comment and say if you want the bigger winch you can go with a removable winch that attaches to a front trailer hitch or get a custom front bumper made that will allow you to fit in your garage and get the 15k winch.

 

[GR8ADV]

Was it this form that had a massive online argument over snatch blocks and if they really do double the pulling power?

It’s physics, which is of course a science, which of course is no longer applicable.

Likely it is just symantics of ‘pulling power’. It doesn’t increase the overall pulling power of the winch, but it reduces the load on the winch by 1/2.

 

[Rovertrader]

Straight forward physics at that! Snatch block doubles the ’pull’ and doubles the time it takes to make said pull…

 

[COAKXterra]

Only used the winch (Warn12s EVO) on our power wagon 2x while we had it, both times for other people, but it's always nice to have it for that time you really need it!! The Warn 12S EVO is more than enough, especially if you double line it like GR8 said. If you were winching every weekend I'd say get something beefier with a dedicated bumper, but for the once in a blue moon the Warn will be a great piece of kit

This.

Although I’ve used the one on our PW a ton… self recovery, other people recovery, timber stuff, etc.

 

[Cheapskate'sParadise]

Given the vulnerability of your rig (heavy, high CG), pulling forward may not always be the best choice. Removable systems are easy to build if you have (or can add; example: ARB kits for some rigs) strong anchors in the front, good side access to the frame rails and, perhaps, an upgraded bumper. Hence, your pulls can be front, rear, or side. Ingredients are smaller winch (that is stored inside), rigging to generate 2x-4x mechanical advantage, line extensions, and DC power cable from power center to site of action (25' stowable works for us). We camp/explore on beaches for weeks at a time in the winter -- experience shows that electrical devices just don't survive the abuse of an ocean edge tens of feet away. An indoor winch is a reliable winch.

 

[IdaSHO]

I can tell you, as another that hauls heavy (right about 12k wet) all the winch in the world wont help you sometimes.

That said, we run a 15,500 Smittybilt, that has paid for itself may times over.

Just not this time. This time we were saved by an awesome group of volunteers that enjoy recoveries.

 

[Peter_n_Margaret]

Given the vulnerability of your rig (heavy, high CG), pulling forward may not always be the best choice. Removable systems are easy to build if you have (or can add; example: ARB kits for some rigs) strong anchors in the front, good side access to the frame rails and, perhaps, an upgraded bumper. Hence, your pulls can be front, rear, or side.

We can pull in any direction and the winch always points in the direction of pull meaning no cable bunching up on one side of the drum.
When not in use, the winch can be stored anywhere. No heavy expensive bumper required.
Theoretically it can get the truck back on its wheels if it falls over.
This is the first iteration of mine. Improvements have been made since.


Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

 

[GR8ADV]

We can pull in any direction and the winch always points in the direction of pull meaning no cable bunching up on one side of the drum.
When not in use, the winch can be stored anywhere. No heavy expensive bumper required.
Theoretically it can get the truck back on its wheels if it falls over.
This is the first iteration of mine. Improvements have been made since.
View attachment 895392

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

Tell me you are an Aussie without telling me you are an Aussie

 

[mog]

Tell me you are an Aussie without telling me you are an Aussie

Based on the fact that Peter's 'portable' winch is a 62.5 kg (138 lbs) Warn 16.5Ti winch, I would just do whatever he tells me to do

 

[FAW3]

Your initial post sums it up...you’re not building a rock crawler.

The size & weight of your rig, running solo, and having your family along all in the mix balanced with experience and sense dictate having some capable recovery gear.

Our rig is a Ram 3500 with a FWC Hawk and loaded is 10k #. Have a 12k bumper mounted winch as well as a Hi-lift jack. I’ve used both at home but never needed in the field.

The 12k# winch gives me good options. 15-20k would perhaps be “better “…but at what cost and weight?

Reasonable recovery investments + good judgment = great peace of mind.

 

[montechie]

From frequent recreational use, in my experience, don't obsess too much on winch brands. In my 4x4 group we don't see many winch failures, and when they do the Warns, Superwinch, and Milemarkers fail as much as the Smittybilts or Badlands. All winches are pretty basic internally, it's usually more about maintenance and quality rigging (line, shackles, etc) than brand. I have a 15 year Smittybilt and a 20 year Milemarker in Montana's mag chloride winters and besides maintenance have never failed me. Buy what you want and with the budget you have, but personally I'd buy a cheaper winch and upgrade the line and the supporting rigging. Even Warn doesn't include their best winch lines as default on many (all?) of their winches, but I do love their upgraded lines.

If you need to rely on doubling your line, make sure to include line extensions in your kit. Even running 80'-100' lines I've not been close enough at times to double up to a good anchor without an extension or using a strap to create a closer anchor point. Besides vehicle weight, majority of conditions that cause us to need a winch will dramatically increase how much pull it takes to recover our vehicles.

There's probably a hide-a-winch option for the Ram too so you won't need to add a bumper. The only downside usually is access to your winch clutch can be tight. In which case ignore my brand comments, I think Warn has a winch with remote clutch control. I'm going through the same decisions with a new (to me) F-350 build. I've pulled enough HD/SD camper trucks out during elk season on semi-maintained FS roads that tires and winch are the first things going on the new truck.