winch mounts
#1
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winch mounts
I want to put a winch on my blazer. But I don't really want to mount it permanently. Are those front mount trailer hitches any good. I have even seen snow plows that mount that way.
#2
I can only base a response on what I've seen and read. Yes, they work just fine. Normally you will have a smaller winch since it needs to be portable....and they aren't as convenient since you have to hook up poser each time...but they do work.
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Gunguy45;
I though doing that, would make it more convenient. I would be able to use it, in the front or back, and I would be able to use it on my trailer, or tractor. 4 different places one winch.
I though doing that, would make it more convenient. I would be able to use it, in the front or back, and I would be able to use it on my trailer, or tractor. 4 different places one winch.
#4
Yeah thats true, though versatile might be a better word....I just meant you'd have to hook it up before each use.
#5
Can't think of the name right now but how about using female forklift plugs each place you use it and a male plug on the winch. (I only say forklift because you want something that can handle high amps.)
Last edited by ray2047; 02-17-12 at 02:41 PM.
#6
Most of the kits include the cable and plugs....Warn Industries - Multi-Mount Portable Winch System
One thing I read on a site cautioned against the receiver mounts. His reasoning was that you will probably be putting a 9000lb capacity winch on a 5000 lb class 3 hitch.
4x4 Accessories - Winch article by Bill Burke About 1/2 way down the article.
One thing I read on a site cautioned against the receiver mounts. His reasoning was that you will probably be putting a 9000lb capacity winch on a 5000 lb class 3 hitch.
4x4 Accessories - Winch article by Bill Burke About 1/2 way down the article.
#8
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I've been thinking about doing the same thing although I doubt I'll get that big of a winch.... so maybe it will be ok. HF has winches for sale that are very cheap [comparatively], I don't know how good they are.
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Well part of the problem is, I already have the winch. It is 5000, but if I double the line I could end up ripping the hitch off, that part I never even though of. Then the article went on to say, if it wasn't as straight pull, I would be in more trouble. So I guess I just have to mount it to the frame.
#10
I just installed a front hitch on my "new to me" pu and it has a winch rating of 9000lbs.
I was debating on whether to buy a pre-made mounting plate or making my own.
I'm tempted to build my own and as wide as my tow hooks.
I can then make a bracket to clip onto the tow hook to allow a bit of a side pull.
Image courtesy of reeseproducts.com
One of the warnings that come with the pre-made plate is to be careful to not winch from a steep angle.
Another is when using a snatch block is to anchor the line to a towing hook or solid part of the frame and definitely not back to the winch or hitch.
As far a capacity goes, I've had a Warn 6000lb winch permanently on the front my old pu for many years and I have to say that 6000 lbs is not really enough for a full sized vehicle, even double lined.
I was debating on whether to buy a pre-made mounting plate or making my own.
I'm tempted to build my own and as wide as my tow hooks.
I can then make a bracket to clip onto the tow hook to allow a bit of a side pull.
Image courtesy of reeseproducts.com
One of the warnings that come with the pre-made plate is to be careful to not winch from a steep angle.
Another is when using a snatch block is to anchor the line to a towing hook or solid part of the frame and definitely not back to the winch or hitch.
As far a capacity goes, I've had a Warn 6000lb winch permanently on the front my old pu for many years and I have to say that 6000 lbs is not really enough for a full sized vehicle, even double lined.
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GregH; Now that sounds like a good idea. That is like building a better mouse trap. Have you come up with away to hook into the tow hooks. I was thinking like a good turn buckle, so you could take out any side play. Thanks for the input. Now I am going to have rethink this.
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GregH
Quote Originally Posted by Edward074
I was looking at this, to be able to use one winch in more then one place. I have got a lot of feed back, some good, some bad. Yours was the best, as ideas goes. I feel asleep this afternoon thinking about your idea. You had mention thinking about making your own plate, and hooking it to your tow hooks some how. How does this sound, instead of making a wider plate, you can anchor to your tow hooks. How about welding a receiver on each side of the frame. Then it wouldn't matter how the winch pulled, as long as you could get a hard enough pin. When it gets some what warmer out, I am going to take a closer look at this my self.
Quote Originally Posted by Edward074
I was looking at this, to be able to use one winch in more then one place. I have got a lot of feed back, some good, some bad. Yours was the best, as ideas goes. I feel asleep this afternoon thinking about your idea. You had mention thinking about making your own plate, and hooking it to your tow hooks some how. How does this sound, instead of making a wider plate, you can anchor to your tow hooks. How about welding a receiver on each side of the frame. Then it wouldn't matter how the winch pulled, as long as you could get a hard enough pin. When it gets some what warmer out, I am going to take a closer look at this my self.
#13
How elaborate your mounting bracket gets will determine how portable it is if that's what you want.
If you make it with two sockets attached to the frame you won't be able to use it on anything else and might as well make it permanent.
Plus, you will drive yourself crazy if you try to have two rigid sockets and expect them to align...........To do this you would have to make the smaller tube moveable and then tighten something down when installed.
It would be a nice option but I personally won't see much use out of having a winch on the rear or would need to put it on another vehicle.
My reason for making the bracket wider would be to make the winch a bit more versatile and to be able to take a bit of angle pull which is what I often have to do.
My plans are still developing but I see having it be a bit of a push bar with some type of small raised light bar.
I could also extend the 2x2 hitch tube that mounts the bracket to the truck and terminate it with a piece of 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 trailer tube for a socket for a bicycle bracket or a hitch to launch the boat when the camper is on.
It sounds pretty heavy but if built right doesn't have to be.
The front mounted hitch I have is rated for a 9000 lb pull and a 500 lb winch (and bracket) weight which won't even be close to what I plan.
I can see having a rectangular box frame using either heavy angle or channel along the bumper, slightly wider than the tow hooks.
I would anchor the angle to the tow hooks using something like a heavy U bolt or just make a heavy J hook and pass it through the back of the angle.
We just bought this '09 Sierra 2500HD having semi-retired a 1988 3/4 Dodge Ram pu with a full width permanent winch bumper.
The new truck is pretty nice but unfortunately doesn't lend itself to mods as well as the vintage truck.
If you make it with two sockets attached to the frame you won't be able to use it on anything else and might as well make it permanent.
Plus, you will drive yourself crazy if you try to have two rigid sockets and expect them to align...........To do this you would have to make the smaller tube moveable and then tighten something down when installed.
It would be a nice option but I personally won't see much use out of having a winch on the rear or would need to put it on another vehicle.
My reason for making the bracket wider would be to make the winch a bit more versatile and to be able to take a bit of angle pull which is what I often have to do.
My plans are still developing but I see having it be a bit of a push bar with some type of small raised light bar.
I could also extend the 2x2 hitch tube that mounts the bracket to the truck and terminate it with a piece of 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 trailer tube for a socket for a bicycle bracket or a hitch to launch the boat when the camper is on.
It sounds pretty heavy but if built right doesn't have to be.
The front mounted hitch I have is rated for a 9000 lb pull and a 500 lb winch (and bracket) weight which won't even be close to what I plan.
I can see having a rectangular box frame using either heavy angle or channel along the bumper, slightly wider than the tow hooks.
I would anchor the angle to the tow hooks using something like a heavy U bolt or just make a heavy J hook and pass it through the back of the angle.
We just bought this '09 Sierra 2500HD having semi-retired a 1988 3/4 Dodge Ram pu with a full width permanent winch bumper.
The new truck is pretty nice but unfortunately doesn't lend itself to mods as well as the vintage truck.