I got to thinking about something... (3 Viewers)

[Mark W]

Funny, but I never did think about strapping it to the van instead of a tree! That is excellent advice and exactly what I was looking for here, ya know, at the wrong place for me lol. The rest of your comments didn't make any sense but I'm too tired to explain why! But in short, unless I plan on backing down trails in reverse having it on the receiver is not going to do me much good. But I definitely don't think you fully read my opening post as it addressed most of your sarcasm! LOL. But I don't think it's too hard of a concept to understand why I don't want to dump $3,000 to do something custom to mount a winch that will probably get used once every couple years if ever at that! And as I already stated, I've been at this trying to figure out a way for quite a long time so don't you think that perhaps, nice word for obviously, I checked into welding shops??? Personally I always get a kick out of people who recommend extreme things like HEY, what's the issue here, just stroll out to your backyard where you have that $50,000 machine shop and fabricate your own mount! There's a lot of things that can be assumed about a guy that has a winch, the LAST thing on the list is he has his own shop in the back and he can fabricate and install his own winch mount!!! This is a cargo van, it's not easy at all to fabricate something for a vehicle that was never designed to have one on it!

Yep, I read all of your post. It was... entertaining.

"Perhaps" you are out of your depth if you could not understand anything I said beyond suggesting to strap your winch to your truck instead of a tree. The fact that you went to attaching your winch to a tree as your starting idea is actually pretty hilarious.

Not sure that pointing out that you have been puzzling over this for a long time really helps your case that you know what you are doing when the best idea you have come up with so far is to tie your winch to a tree and tote a battery over to it.

And the "concept" that it would take $3000 to make a mount for your winch is absurd. Crazy silly absurd. As is thinking that it would take a machine shop to do it.

As I said, you have gotten good suggestions. You didn't want to hear them it seems. Cool. Drive on.

 

[Plumber101010]

Yep, I read all of your post. It was... entertaining.

"Perhaps" you are out of your depth if you could not understand anything I said beyond suggesting to strap your winch to your truck instead of a tree. The fact that you went to attaching your winch to a tree as your starting idea is actually pretty hilarious.

Not sure that pointing out that you have been puzzling over this for a long time really helps your case that you know what you are doing when the best idea you have come up with so far is to tie your winch to a tree and tote a battery over to it.

And the "concept" that it would take $3000 to make a mount for your winch is absurd. Crazy silly absurd. As is thinking that it would take a machine shop to do it.

As I said, you have gotten good suggestions. You didn't want to hear them it seems. Cool. Drive on

Yes, great suggestions, why didn't I think of joining AAA ...Yes, that is the only idea I have come up with, and it's very doable and very logical. Extremely simple as well. So sorry people always over complicate things as you're doing now thinking nothing less than a custom made winch bumper is acceptable. Try thinking out of the box once in a while Mark, that's where most problems are solved. Crazy silly absurd you don't see that? But not quite as crazy silly absurd you actually thinking and then believing the thought that a welding shop is going to custom fabricate a winch mount for a 12,000 pound winch for anything less than $3,000. This not only shows me you don't really have a CLUE or understanding of such things, but also a level of arrogance I haven't quite come upon yet when I have specifically told you I have been to the welding shops and gotten quotes. Numerous ones actually. I don't recommend being arrogant about your ignorance with anything else in the future, it's a horrible combination of traits to possess!

LOL!

 

[Plumber101010]

 

[gnob]

you should find the door.
you didn't come here for help. you came here to hear people tell you what a brilliant idea you had.
it's not. no one is going to say it is.
so please go have fun with yourself and experiment elsewhere.

 

[Plumber101010]

you should find the door.
you didn't come here for help. you came here to hear people tell you what a brilliant idea you had.
it's not. no one is going to say it is.
so please go have fun with yourself and experiment elsewhere.

Just an outlandishly absurd comment and obviously you are butt hurt about the AAA statement and looking to lash out LOL. Stop being so immature.

 

[Plumber101010]

you should find the door.
you didn't come here for help. you came here to hear people tell you what a brilliant idea you had.
it's not. no one is going to say it is.
so please go have fun with yourself and experiment elsewhere.

And by the way, this is my room, if you don't want to be here, then stop opening my door and find the exit door for yourself

 

[ChaseTruck]

Pretty fun read. Some 10 years ago on an AZ trail we indeed came across a high-centered GMC panel van, and a winch would have come in handy for them… they chose to take the van on the trail because their Blazer was broken.
I have no idea how the frame of the van looks like in the front. Harbor Freight used to sell an inexpensive winch mounting plate, maybe something like that would be a possibility? And I have quite some respect for the current draw of a 12k winch, and wouldn’t want anything less than a solid electrical connection that’s as short as possible to prevent voltage drop.

 

[onemanarmy]

The reason that there is not all types of winch mounting kits for all types of vehicles is becuase there is no mass market for it.

99%? of winches are just bought for looks. Maybe 99.5%

a winch in a winch cradle in the rear hitch will get you out of whatever you tried to drive through so you can turn around. Simple.

 

[Jetboy]

This exists. At least a few mfg make them. Winch in a box. Strap winch to front of van with included straps. Connect to battery. Pull. Pretty straight forward.

If you want to do it with your existing winch - buy a toolbox, a few lengths of steel angle and a mount plate and you could make one yourself that bolts together without an welding needed. But like everyone else has said - it'll be absurdly heavy and difficult to use. And probably cost about as much as a portable winch kit.

https://www.amazon.com/RUGCEL-WINCH-Electric-Integrated-Synthetic/dp/B0D12TXRVR/ref=asc_df_B0D12TXRVR?mcid=b653f22377d23cd7b6d75649708c90e3&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693071814412&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10027526154868550762&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1027744&hvtargid=pla-2318518344708&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Superwinch-1140222-Portable-System-D-Shackles/dp/B0166H2WFG?th=1

 

[cruiserpilot]

This exists. At least a few mfg make them. Winch in a box. Strap winch to front of van with included straps. Connect to battery. Pull. Pretty straight forward.

If you want to do it with your existing winch - buy a toolbox, a few lengths of steel angle and a mount plate and you could make one yourself that bolts together without an welding needed. But like everyone else has said - it'll be absurdly heavy and difficult to use. And probably cost about as much as a portable winch kit.

https://www.amazon.com/RUGCEL-WINCH-Electric-Integrated-Synthetic/dp/B0D12TXRVR/ref=asc_df_B0D12TXRVR?mcid=b653f22377d23cd7b6d75649708c90e3&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693071814412&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10027526154868550762&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1027744&hvtargid=pla-2318518344708&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Superwinch-1140222-Portable-System-D-Shackles/dp/B0166H2WFG?th=1

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That's actually not a bad idea for the occasional user. But would have to take damage to the front valance as a matter of course.
This thing will eat up the front bits of the vehicle that aren't steel. But sure would be handy in extreme recovery situation, like a roll
over or side lift. But it's impossible to be prepared for everything. Taking a top notch offroad training program would be
useful in dealing with that potential.

But take it small step further. @Plumber101010 Weld a 2" receiver end right at the frame end on either side. That's a $20 piece,
then take this winch in a box idea cause it's all enclosed and can sit on the floor without being a tripping hazard. but weld a receiver
piece to the frame of that winch in a box. Now you got portable removable winch. Doing exactly what you want.
Problem solved.

 

[Plumber101010]

Pretty fun read. Some 10 years ago on an AZ trail we indeed came across a high-centered GMC panel van, and a winch would have come in handy for them… they chose to take the van on the trail because their Blazer was broken.
I have no idea how the frame of the van looks like in the front. Harbor Freight used to sell an inexpensive winch mounting plate, maybe something like that would be a possibility? And I have quite some respect for the current draw of a 12k winch, and wouldn’t want anything less than a solid electrical connection that’s as short as possible to prevent voltage drop.

I'm so glad you saw the humor in it! Almost everything I write for the most part has some kind of satire in it one way or another, though, there are some people that want to go through life being serious about everything and don't take too kindly to my sarcasm / satire. I thought it was fun as well I had a kick with some of the banter

 

[Plumber101010]

The reason that there is not all types of winch mounting kits for all types of vehicles is becuase there is no mass market for it.

99%? of winches are just bought for looks. Maybe 99.5%

a winch in a winch cradle in the rear hitch will get you out of whatever you tried to drive through so you can turn around. Simple.

You can say that again, in fact you can say it 10 times, I had the prettiest rig in the world before I totalled it.. Warn 12k front, 10k rear on a tuned out 3500 Duramax SRW +1,000,000 OTHER THINGS. My dream truck it was. Not one time did I need it over the course of many years to pull myself out of anything lol! But it sure looked bad ass! So you can imagine I'm not too concerned this go around about anything other than a simple rig up! I think the cheapest way after the advice of attaching it to the front is just to get welded a couple recovery hooks on the front I can attach it to with some D rings and won't even need a mount plate I may be able to attach it to the bolt holes of the winch.

 

[Plumber101010]

This exists. At least a few mfg make them. Winch in a box. Strap winch to front of van with included straps. Connect to battery. Pull. Pretty straight forward.

If you want to do it with your existing winch - buy a toolbox, a few lengths of steel angle and a mount plate and you could make one yourself that bolts together without an welding needed. But like everyone else has said - it'll be absurdly heavy and difficult to use. And probably cost about as much as a portable winch kit.

https://www.amazon.com/RUGCEL-WINCH-Electric-Integrated-Synthetic/dp/B0D12TXRVR/ref=asc_df_B0D12TXRVR?mcid=b653f22377d23cd7b6d75649708c90e3&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693071814412&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10027526154868550762&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1027744&hvtargid=pla-2318518344708&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Superwinch-1140222-Portable-System-D-Shackles/dp/B0166H2WFG?th=1

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Well I already have this one and I need the capacity anyway my cargo van is pretty darn heavy when loaded up so best I have something super duty if I'm going to do it.

 

[Jetboy]

You need a plate to mount the winch on. The winch doesn't have enough internal structure to work without a plate. It'll twist its self apart when you try to use it or tear out the threads if you don't have a mounting plate underneath it. And they're pretty cheap. Amazon has hitch mount plates for under $40.

You can use a snatch block or a cheap low friction ring (buy from a sailboat rigging supply retailer for half the cost) with the 4500lb winch in those kits to pull 9k lbs. It'll be slow, but it doesn't sound like you're doing a lot of hardcore long winch pulls. If it were me the biggest downside of the smaller winches is the short winch rope. I would buy a length of dyneema rope and get familiar with how to make splices and whoopie sling loops so you can adjust it to length as needed in the field. IMO modern synthetic ropes are really incredible in their versitility and ease of use in the field. Then you can make sure you have enough range to get to the nearest anchor point. That's what I do with my SXS because the winch rope is only about 45 feet so I carry another ~100 feet of synthetic rope.

 

[Plumber101010]

You need a plate to mount the winch on. The winch doesn't have enough internal structure to work without a plate. It'll twist its self apart when you try to use it or tear out the threads if you don't have a mounting plate underneath it. And they're pretty cheap. Amazon has hitch mount plates for under $40.

You can use a snatch block or a cheap low friction ring (buy from a sailboat rigging supply retailer for half the cost) with the 4500lb winch in those kits to pull 9k lbs. It'll be slow, but it doesn't sound like you're doing a lot of hardcore long winch pulls. If it were me the biggest downside of the smaller winches is the short winch rope. I would buy a length of dyneema rope and get familiar with how to make splices and whoopie sling loops so you can adjust it to length as needed in the field. IMO modern synthetic ropes are really incredible in their versitility and ease of use in the field. Then you can make sure you have enough range to get to the nearest anchor point. That's what I do with my SXS because the winch rope is only about 45 feet so I carry another ~100 feet of synthetic rope.

I actually have a Warn 4500 pound winch that came off of a side-by-side that I've been meaning to do something with.... with a snatch block I can get 9000 pounds. Still, if I get to the point that I've buried this thing up to the frame, I'm gonna need one heck of a lot of power and I don't see anything less than my M12000 getting me out of it in such a circumstance. It's almost impossible to find a winch cradle rated for 12,000 pounds for the rear. A genuine rating now, not some cheap harbour freight one that claims some infinite number!

Right now I'm perfect and good to go with a rear cradle and my 12k. I've got everything I need for that. It will pull me OUT of trouble, but won't let me continue my trip which is more important to me. I think after pondering all this again, my money would be best spent just finding a welding shop to weld me on a 2 inch receiver for the front of the cargo van. Then I can keep everything portable and use it for the front or the rear with all the power I will need and hoping it won't be as expensive!

I know there is a way to use a front winch to pull yourself backwards, wondering if there's a similar way to pull yourself forward with a rear winch??? Time to Google again!!

 

[ChaseTruck]

...
I know there is a way to use a front winch to pull yourself backwards, ...

I've tried that once, just out of interest and not out of necessity. It works, requires a fair amount of gear, and two attachment points, though. Besides all the shackles and snatch blocks, probably best to stock up on rope extensions, as well.

 

[Mark W]

I've tried that once, just out of interest and not out of necessity. It works, requires a fair amount of gear, and two attachment points, though. Besides all the shackles and snatch blocks, probably best to stock up on rope extensions, as well.

I have done it the simple way by just running the cable backwards under the rig. Not my first choice, but I had no anchor points to the front and only needed to move back a foot or two to solve my problem. Worked fine for the specific situation I was dealing with at the time. Won't always.

Mark...

 

[pb4ugo]

Thru the decades I've done a lot of creative winching. Backwards, forwards, sideways, up, down, and using multiple snatch blocks. I remember 1 time winching the whole 40 sideways with the cable coming out perpendicular to the roller fairlead to a snatch block then to the rear of the frame. When you're in a spot the last thing I'm worried about is the cable. It would be nice if all pulls were straight, but that rarely happens. I make sure my steel cable isn't binding or chaffing against sharp edges and stand clear of possible danger.

 

[Mark W]

Thru the decades I've done a lot of creative winching. Backwards, forwards, sideways, up, down, and using multiple snatch blocks. I remember 1 time winching the whole 40 sideways with the cable coming out perpendicular to the roller fairlead to a snatch block then to the rear of the frame. When you're in a spot the last thing I'm worried about is the cable. It would be nice if all pulls were straight, but that rarely happens. I make sure my steel cable isn't binding or chaffing against sharp edges and stand clear of possible danger.

I've done this more than once, to keep a rig from sliding sideways as we work our way past a tricky slick sidehill piece of nastiness.

Mark...

 

[TRT2]

Do you even carry a Hi Lift jack? Probably handle 90% of your off road issues... providing you have a spot on the 'van' to jack from.

just a thought...