Looking into the Possibility of a 2" Front Hitch for Winch

If you have not needed your 2 traction boards, you do not need 2 more or a winch. Wait until you start getting stuck before you buy more recovery gear. Also note that if you have not practiced getting unstuck, recovery gear is far less likely to be useful to you when you do get stuck.

 

I get not going overkill on recovery gear if you don't need it, but when you need it and don't have it you are F'd. They said they go out alone, so they should probably err on the side of caution. Personally, I tone back where I'm willing to go if I'm alone, but stuff can happen.

 

Not true. I’ve gotten unstuck many times using the stock jack, what rocks, trees, and whatnot in the area, a shovel, and _experience_.

I have traction boards, have used them several times, but would not call them a silver bullet.

 

I agree on there not being a silver bullet. I'm just saying I've self recovered 30+ times with 4x maxtrax, but have never needed to resort to my winch. Definitely used a shovel to dig though. That's more important than any other tool probably. I just have one of those lil old military style ones that can fold at a 90 degree angle. Works great as a hoe to drag snow/sand/mud out. Depending on how you're stuck, a winch may be the only way.

 

I do carry a $20 steel spade, but by the far the most useful shovel I have is my plastic snow shovel (winter only).

But in any case, experience getting stuck and unstuck is more important IMHO. It’s part of the sport.

 

Classes are a plus! Most everything I know is from a buddy who has taught me, but he also teaches for Search and Rescue and for an Off-road event we help put on every few months! Well worth the class time for those new to it.

 

Search and rescue? The big open spaces out west are a different sort of thing. I learned by getting in and out of farm fields and shit in the Midwest. The farthest I ever had to walk is a few miles.

For example:



And so I don’t seem like a complete nincompoop, here is a more successful wheeling trip where I didn’t get stuck in a muddy frozen field:

 

Yeah, we have multiple units out here. Dog unit, hiking unit, ropes/climbing unit, 4wd unit, tracking unit, horseback unit, and ATV/Snowmobile/UTV unit. I'm probably missing one or two. I was in the 4wd and ATV unit for a few years, but got out during COVID.

 

FFS post the link

Looks similar to the Mobtown front recovery hitch, though the 2" receiver is way too short on the 4xInno version.

 

Good grief and I thought I was an ornery funk.
https://www.4xinnovations.com/2016--2023-Tacoma-Front-Hidden-Hitch-Receiver_p_191.html

 

At least you didn’t post a screen shot.

 

Too short? I would hope they have that figured out or why make them?
Guess I'll find out soon enough....
I did some rough measurements earlier on and it looks to be alright.
I'm using a HF winch mount that has a decent length arm on it.

 

I have the 4x Innovations hidden hitch and the harbor freight winch cradle and badlands 12k winch and it's fine.

 

Awesome. Thanks. I have the same winch.
I like that I'll be able to use the winch, front and rear.
Also, not having to leave it on the truck all the time.

 

100% agree, my reasoning as well.

 

Yes, look at the 4Inno 2" receiver behind the grille hitch and the Mobtown is in front of the grille.

 

I saw that.
What is it too short for?

 

Winch bumper is the way to go to me
I went with a small hybrid bumper on my Tacoma, with a 10k warn and synthetic line. Total weight around 150lbs. It’s always there when I need it. Nothing I have to remember to load, strap down, whatever. I’ve never been in something a short winch pull wouldn’t fix, and I’ve been all over offroad parks. Usually you spend more time running line in and out then actually winching

 

Have fun getting your hand in there to install the pin.

 

I've got plenty of experience getting unstuck; but I have yet to use the Maxtrax on my Scout...that does not imply that I am inexperienced or new at this, but that I have not used my Maxtrax. I have also pulled many people out, and now that I am heading to the Outer Banks on a fairly regular basis, I am exploring more options to help get my or others' trucks out of a jam.