Winches

Gang,

Been a long time lurking, learning & enjoying from folks on board. I'm currently on my 3rd yota, 1 from each gen.. '04, '10 & now a '16.

I'd appreciate any feedback relating to 3rd gen application of winches. I'm no wheeler, my need is to winch a drift raft out of some precarious places.

Open to ideas. Hitch mount? Permanent front mount? My needs are less than 500# but if spending $ might be worth rigging up w/something that can save my ass when stuck.

Thanks & here's some money shots...

 

I use smittybilt Gen2 X20 12000lb wireless with 100ft synthetic rope. Installed a fab fours bumper.

 

SDHQ hidden winch mount with a Smittybilt 10k winch for me. If you want a smaller winch you will definitely have room for it but may need to modify the mounting plate so that the winch will bolt to it.

 

I think you'd be fine with a small winch. 8k maybe 10k lbs. since you Probably won't need it and a cheap hidden winch mount.

 

Honestly I would do a removable winch and a hidden front hitch. Then it can be stored out of the elements (ie last longer), move front or back or can be removed to save weight. Get one that is heavy duty enough for the truck and you are golden. Plus you won't lose any mpg with an after market bumper.

The other option I really dig is the low pro one that replaces and mounts behind that black plastic chin piece on the front bumper, but those are expensive too. Can mount a hidden hitch with a license plate cover for probably $300 and $700 on winch and plate and still be under the cost of just a bumper or partial bumper.

Tyler

 

Explain precarious positions so we can truely understand your needs.

My suggestion is a small winch on a receiver hitch mount. You plug it in your trailer hitch receiver and pin it like your trailer tongue. Fab some cables to your battery and I would suggest quick disconnects similar to what they use on forklift batteries.

My reasons for this setup is you save a ton of money over buying a winch bumper. Your winch is only exposed to the elements when you need it which will do wonders for its life expectancy. You can size your winch to the job instead of going much larger than you need in case you need it for the truck one day. Since selling my Jeep I mounted my big winch (9500lb) to a receiver and I did the same to my baby winch (3000lb). I use them on my trailer exclusively now and I can't remember the last time I used the big one. Why lug a monster (112lbs plus receiver mount) when the baby is lighter (22lbs plus mount, yes you read that right) and more than capable for the job.

 

+1

 

I'm biased I already have a warn zeon 10-s from my old jeep.
Got it off a friend who was parting out his rubicon.

Another friend of mine said something when we were working one day that was why I went with the warn. since my jeep was for overlanding as is the taco so often solo trips and he said "given you'll need a winch to get out when no one else can help, I'd want the tried and true known for quality brand, not something that might fail"

I know I've heard from many that the smittybilt ones are good, but I've also heard of some of them failing for no apparent reason.
So ya to me I wouldn't want to take the chance of needing it and having it fail.
I know obviously the Warn could fail too, but they have a longer standing reputation of not failing so to me that means a lot.

 

Just for pulling a raft up a river bank I'd just go with a

$105 Removable 2" Hitch Receiver Winch Mount Portable w/ Pin

hitch mount basic winch setup.

 

maybe try a hitch mount
but what about this?

https://www.warn.com/adventuretouring/XT17_winch.jsp

 

It's so *cute*... will it grow up to be a real winch one day?

Just kidding. Yeah, something like that or an ATV winch ought to be more than enough. Just watch the rope length. Hate to have a 50ft river bank and 40ft of rope...

Now if the OP is really just looking for an excuse reason for a low-profile front bumper and winch mount plus a good macdaddy winch, who are we to dissuade him?

 

I agree
I think for OP sake, a proper low pro winch bumper and warn zeon platinum winch is exactly what he needs to get that raft out

 

Warn zeon platinum with a c4 lopro bumper. Wireless, fast , strong, reliable and hidden. Do it once , do it right.

 

this is a SOSOFFROADCONCEPTS bumper for the 2016+

 

The C4 is serious badass'ness & really hard to justify. For 99% of my use an atv winch on a hitch mount plate would be perfectly acceptable. For me, the rodeo is making it as plug & play as possible. The sled trailer weighs nothing so it's super easy to move out of the way when I need to winch the boat. This frees up the rear receiver but I wonder if it would be easier, cleaner to wire in the front? Anyone know of a high clearance front receiver?

Really like the look of this: http://bosquebill.blogspot.com/2014/05/front-receiver-hitch-installation.html

Appreciate the feedback all

*edit* just found the Mobtown offering... looks like a sweet option

 

@Mobtown Offroad has one.

 

If you want to go on the cheap I would look at something like this.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Kolpin-ATV-Winch/2353616.uts?

Then would create quick disconnects and a portable winch mount that could slide into the rear receiver along with some cable that you could hook up to the front tow strap. You could then use it in the front or back just need to have a long enough power cable.


For the price I was a sucker and bought the winch above and plan to install it on a trailer or may make it portable.

 

Get them while you can.

https://m.summitracing.com/search/product-line/tjm-off-road-stealth-series-winches

 

That's pretty impressive, wireless remote and synthetic rope too. Wish I was in the market for one, you don't know if these would fit on the slimline style bumpers do you?

 

The 12k fits in a 2nd gen hidden winch mount. It's not much bigger than the warn M8000 once you've relocated the contactor box.