Annabelle,

You haven't had any issues with using the winch this way? Also where do you store the winch when it is not bolted into the receiver?

 

I have not had any issues using the winch. I usually leave it covered and locked (through the retaining pin) attached to my utility trailer.

 

Banish,

I can't see why you'd need a 12,000 lb winch for the work you are planning. I had an 8000 lb Warn on my old International 3/4 ton 4WD and I used it all the time after deliberately getting stuck. It was always enough and I put it to the test. As mentioned, if you ever need more pull, or to pull around a corner, a ****** block is your friend. I don't know how much more the 12,000 lb one weighs, but extra weight in front of an already heavy aftermarket bumper is not helpful.

Besides the winch, it's nice to have plenty of cable, a rugged, side opening ****** block, some short pieces of chain with shackles or grab hooks and enough strong rope to go around a tree at least twice. Then a good come-along and some tools to work the rigging. I've used all these things many times while out playing. I will say though, I've pulled more rigs out with my tug-em-strap or a chain than with a winch.

 

I think my 12,000 lb winch and homemade set up is about 135 lbs.

 

I highly doubt I need a 12k either. I am looking at a winch for those time at the deerlease were it makes pulling stands or helping truck get unstuck more simple. I don't do any offroading with my truck so I am opnly wanting it for light very speratic useage.

 

I bought a 12,000 lb winch for the requirements of a project I was doing. Most my rock crawling buddies have 9,000lb winches.

 

on a 3rd Gen Dodge they are using a 9k?

 

No, Mainly on jeeps, and custom buggies. Some 3/4 ton gasser P/Us.

 

Ok so they are running fairly lighter rigs then right?

I am trying to make sure I get a winch that is strong enough to do the light work I may have, but not trying to go big or go home. I dont need to drop a small fortune on getting a 16k hydrolic driven winch for the rare occasion I will use it.

 

Right......but 9,000 lbs seems to be fine for their hunting rigs in order to get them unstuck. Heck I used a Highlift jack to pull myself off rocks.

 

Question? can we get the setup like the power wagons have, like for the bracket for the winch ect...

 

I think the inter cooler is in the way.

One other thing to think about is usually bumper mounted winch is real close to the A/C condenser. I plan to make a sheet metal guard so the cable can't mess it up.

 

Smart man right there!

 

I believe the primary reason you cannot mount anything bigger than 9K has to do with having enough room for the control/electric part of the winch, not the winch itself ??? My neighbor mounted a 15K winch on his Ranch Hand front bumper, but he mounted the control/electric part 'remotely'. He made a bracket to mount it off the winch, he got some custom power cables made to fit his needs, everything then fit. I am not sure which Warn winch he has.

That was my #1 reason for not going with a Ranch Hand front bumper, I also wanted to install a winch bigger than 9K. I went with the Road Armor front bumper. There is more than enough room for winch installation. I rarely have need for a winch, usually it IS used for pulling someone else out, in fact, I have never needed to pull myself out have yet to get stuck. I also have a ****** block, while they DO slow down operational time, they do come in handy and sometimes they are the best way to get at someone when you don't have a straight line for pulling.

I carry an off road jack, 2 comealongs, and lots of extra straps/cables. A winch is the easy way, but the other stuff is also important to have just in case your winch fails.


CD

 

Yea I think it's just the power control part that gets in the way. Either way I am going to go with the non winch bumper becuse I want to keep my tow hooks. I dont have an issue doing the recieve mount being that I will very rarely use it. If it was something I used all the time I would want it to stay mounted to the bumper.

Thanks for all the inof you guys have posted up.