2022 NorCal Wheeling, Camping, and Fuckery Thread

Day Four, on Dusy, was such an adventure... it's gunna take two parts. Here's Day 4 Part 1


https://youtu.be/P7HMQ0ZRqxI

 

Damn! Hwy 108, Sonora Pass, is closed. Snow and ice.

 

Snow is in the forecast above 9000' for the next few days.

 

Wild!

 

That shark fin obstacle is one that always sticks out to me. Drive out onto it then take a total blind passenger turn down a super steep spot.

That flop was quick!

 

Slight departure from the norm here, but what pull rating winch do y'all run for the Sierras? I've got a third gen with ~500lbs of stuff (dirt bikes, camping gear, etc).

I was thinking I'd just get Harbor Freight's 12k winch and call it a day, even though it'll be a bit overkill.

EDIT: since most of these threads always need more pics, here's the truck in question up near Cherry Lake:

 

I don't think 12K is really over kill at all. I'm running the HF Apex 12,000 now. I used to run a Warn M8000.

8000# would be on the low end of what I need, 12K# is on the high side... but I'm a lot more comfortable knowing I should have more than enough.

 

How long have you had the HF Apex? Any complaints?

I figure if it's good enough for Matts off road recovery to use, it'll probably be mad overkill for my needs...

 

I started using it earlier this year. I've had to pull rope 4 or 5 times with it already. Works like a champ.

Pulling rope in free spool is smooth and easy. The Free Spool lever is easy to use, even with gloves. The wireless remote is great. The line speed is really good. And, it has lot's of power.

 

Thanks, that's good to know.

I think the price is so good I'll grab one on the way home from work. My bumper should be here Wednesday, so I want to have my ducks in a row to install it all as soon as I can.

 

I used it in the video a few posts above, as a matter of fact... check it out.

 

I have a warn 10k winch on my rig. I would've gone with a 12k if I had the extra disposable money at the time AND if I knew it would fit in my bumper with minimal modifications. 10k is more than enough pulling power for what I need but I would love the extra capability of a 12k in case I ever had to pull myself or another, possibly heavier rig out of a bad situation.

I think I read somewhere before that a good rule of thumb for winch size would be 1.5x of your rig's weight.

 

1.5x rig weight is a good rule of thumb. I've heard that quite often.

 

There's a lot that goes into selecting a winch. How much does the truck weigh? Double that. Are you gonna be able to add a bumper and will it be adequately connected to the frame so you don't rip it off? So many questions.

12,000 pounds is probably a start. But if you just make the basic attachment, you come close say 7,000 pounds, you might damage the truck. Do you know how to use the winch so that you (or those around you) don't get hurt? The winch draws enough current that it must be connected to the battery directly--you will need a breaker and correctly sized wire.

Be worth spending some time and reading various winch makers websites. Like Warn.

 

Brought a new friend home from the shelter yesterday.

 

Thanks for breaking down the checklist, getting double checked is always good.

Mounting will be on a Greenlane offroad stump bumper, so a proper mounting setup is fine. If I need to relocate the solenoid, I'm a HW engineer and a fabricator, so that won't be an issue.

Regarding using it (safely!), I've done plenty of rigging and winching, but never on an off road vehicle. Most of my background comes from pulling cargo into/out of aircraft, which was always done with snatchblocks + straps + the hydraulic winch in our helicopter. Having a winch offroad will be new to me.

 

I have an Engo 12K that's been beat and abused. It's never failed me.

As far as the 1.5x rule goes. That's a fine rule. I went big because I knew I'd use it. The higher the rating the less the winch has to work the less time it needs to cool off from overheating. A 12K is perfect for that. My longest winch was well over 300 yards with a dead stick rig. That winch never once needed to stop to cool off. It just kept pulling, and pulling and pulling. That reminds me. I should really repack that thing with grease one year. lol

 

Duty cycle is a good thing to look at. You may also want a larger battery to help as well.

 

Another good thing to remember if you are winching someone else is to keep the truck in neutral and foot on the brake. Keeps stress off the tranny. Also allows you to double foot and keep your rpm’s up.

 

THIS ^^^

You don't ever want to do a hard pull with an Auto in park. That could be messy.