In-Line winch / powered come-along

[LandCruzrNY]

I’ve got an 80 series that I am opting to keep rather stock for now. I’d like to get a portable, 12V winch that I could connect to either the front or back of the cruiser when needed and I could get out of situations if necessary. 1 or 2 ton would be more than enough. I don’t want it to be mounted, more “in-line”. There is a portable winch that’s AC powered that does this, but I can’t find one that is 12V.

Any suggestions?

 

[bhsdriller]

Do you have strong enough recovery points on the cruiser itself?

I assume stock.

 

[60 toy ota]

get a harbor freight hitch mounted winch plate. You can install it on the receiver in the back or thoughtfully chain it to your front recover points. And I don't know your application, but I'm pretty skeptical that 1-2k is gonna be enough. speaking from experience it will fall on it's face trying to pull your rig up or over anything.

 

[smritte]

Theirs a reason the winch manufacture's say to go 1.5-2.0 X the vehicle weight. If you can pull yourself out with a powered come along, you can get yourself out with a traction board and jack. Hitch mounted winch's are a heavy pain to set up but, they do work.

 

[Broski]

1 or 2 tons is not going to do it.
It’s a 5 - 6 k beast if it's stuck it's going to need a 10K winch to extracted it.
Most that do that kind of set up mount the winch to a plate and weld the plate to a hitch receiver. Then install the front hitch.

 

[Rusty Marlin]

Theirs a reason the winch manufacture's say to go 1.5-2.0 X the vehicle weight. If you can pull yourself out with a powered come along, you can get yourself out with a traction board and jack. Hitch mounted winch's are a heavy pain to set up but, they do work.

glad somebody finally said it. at 1 to 2 tons, you're probably wasting your money.
on that note have you thought about a hi lift and winch kit?

Google Search

www.google.com

they work well. I have one and have used it for training, "just in case" the big winch fails. Its slow and combersome, but it works.
And you can use the high lift as a jack.

 

[jpoole]

A smaller winch like you describe can be useful in many situations but useless and possibly dangerous in many others. As long as you understand the limitations and how to safely use your gear then there are an array of viable options to match with an array of situations where you may need recovery gear..

For minimal pull power I'd avoid going electric at all. Running large enough wires, etc. is going to be more work than I think 2k of pull would justify. I've got one of these that lives in my 80s tailgate storage and it is relatively safe and easy to use in situations where you just need a little bit of pull:

https://www.northerntool.com/products/strongway-4-ton-heavy-duty-double-gear-hand-cable-puller-61137

I've used the above with great effect in a variety of situations including when it's slick and traction is minimal or when I need side holding/pulling in an off-camber situation in combination with another/larger winch doing the primary pulling, etc. It's certainly a useful tool that is worth it's minimal weight and minimal complexity (no wiring). If you also have some appropriate tow straps and soft shackles then carefully work to drive within the limits of your recovery gear you can have a lightweight, no maintenance and low cost recovery kit that will get you out of some jambs. If you are rarely at risk of getting stuck the above may be all that's justified to carry around and it will at least keep you from a long wait to get recovered from a simple/minimal situation.

Hitch mounted winches have a lot of benefits and can be a great option but depending on how you set them up could easily be more complicated and/or expensive to build out than a typical stationary/front mount winch. While possibly having front and rear pull options could be great it's a lot more wiring, extra hitch, etc. to add to pull it off. On top of that, carrying the weight of a hitch mount setup to deploy it in off camber or slippery situations could be a real chore.

There are also gas powered capstans, etc. but they are typically not large enough to warrant their extra complexity and I don't consider capstans to be as safe as the more common spool winches or "comealongs" like linked to above.

Finally, for what you describe in your og post you can just get a 2k winch (like the Badlands trailer winch) for cheap but I really don't see the point in mounting and wiring one of those in on an 80 personally.

 

[Mark W]

A 1-2 ton winch is fine for an ATV. It will struggle to even pull your Cruiser onto a trailer.

A 1-2 ton electric, unmounted winch will be more trouble to carry around and to use than it will ever be worth.

If you think that this is all the pulling power you will need, just toss a come-along in the rig and call it good.

Mark...

 

[CharlieS]

Not what you are asking, but your money would be well spent on first taking a recovery course where you will learn why your idea is a waste of money and potentially very dangerous. Find your nearest I4WDTA certified instructor and take the basic recovery class. You'll be glad you did.

 

[LandCruzrNY]

Do you have strong enough recovery points on the cruiser itself?

I assume stock.

Yes, stock recovery points.

get a harbor freight hitch mounted winch plate. You can install it on the receiver in the back or thoughtfully chain it to your front recover points. And I don't know your application, but I'm pretty skeptical that 1-2k is gonna be enough. speaking from experience it will fall on it's face trying to pull your rig up or over anything.

Ok, so I should have been more clear as to the use of the Winch. I’m spending more time in the mountains in the winter. Our road is fine, but occasionally we get ice and I still need to get out. I’ve tried chains on the rear, and it helps, but on the hill sections where there is no water diversion and is shady, it’s thick ice and the chains don’t help a lot. So, my thought is I just need a winch to assist me, not actually pull me out of the mud or anything. Because I’m on all 4 tires and not stuck, the weight of the truck is the same but the physics changes I think. So, I don’t think I need a bigger winch. I don’t want to mount one as I need it on the front sometimes, and on the rear to help others up these hills on other occasions.

Theirs a reason the winch manufacture's say to go 1.5-2.0 X the vehicle weight. If you can pull yourself out with a powered come along, you can get yourself out with a traction board and jack. Hitch mounted winch's are a heavy pain to set up but, they do work.

Agreed, I should have said more but see ^^^

1 or 2 tons is not going to do it.
It’s a 5 - 6 k beast if it's stuck it's going to need a 10K winch to extracted it.
Most that do that kind of set up mount the winch to a plate and weld the plate to a hitch receiver. Then install the front hitch.

Agreed, I should have said more but see ^^^. I really don’t want to mount a winch.

glad somebody finally said it. at 1 to 2 tons, you're probably wasting your money.
on that note have you thought about a hi lift and winch kit?

Google Search

www.google.com

they work well. I have one and have used it for training, "just in case" the big winch fails. Its slow and combersome, but it works.
And you can use the high lift as a jack.

I’d rather not go with a hi-lift or anything manual as it may be my wife leaving sometimes and her using a come-along…. IDK.

A smaller winch like you describe can be useful in many situations but useless and possibly dangerous in many others. As long as you understand the limitations and how to safely use your gear then there are an array of viable options to match with an array of situations where you may need recovery gear..

STRONGY agree

For minimal pull power I'd avoid going electric at all. Running large enough wires, etc. is going to be more work than I think 2k of pull would justify. I've got one of these that lives in my 80s tailgate storage and it is relatively safe and easy to use in situations where you just need a little bit of pull:

https://www.northerntool.com/products/strongway-4-ton-heavy-duty-double-gear-hand-cable-puller-61137

I've used the above with great effect in a variety of situations including when it's slick and traction is minimal or when I need side holding/pulling in an off-camber situation in combination with another/larger winch doing the primary pulling, etc. It's certainly a useful tool that is worth it's minimal weight and minimal complexity (no wiring). If you also have some appropriate tow straps and soft shackles then carefully work to drive within the limits of your recovery gear you can have a lightweight, no maintenance and low cost recovery kit that will get you out of some jambs. If you are rarely at risk of getting stuck the above may be all that's justified to carry around and it will at least keep you from a long wait to get recovered from a simple/minimal situation.

Hitch mounted winches have a lot of benefits and can be a great option but depending on how you set them up could easily be more complicated and/or expensive to build out than a typical stationary/front mount winch. While possibly having front and rear pull options could be great it's a lot more wiring, extra hitch, etc. to add to pull it off. On top of that, carrying the weight of a hitch mount setup to deploy it in off camber or slippery situations could be a real chore.

There are also gas powered capstans, etc. but they are typically not large enough to warrant their extra complexity and I don't consider capstans to be as safe as the more common spool winches or "comealongs" like linked to above.

Finally, for what you describe in your og post you can just get a 2k winch (like the Badlands trailer winch) for cheap but I really don't see the point in mounting and wiring one of those in on an 80 personally.

I’m trying to stay away from anything manual, that’s the only hard part.

A 1-2 ton winch is fine for an ATV. It will struggle to even pull your Cruiser onto a trailer.

A 1-2 ton electric, unmounted winch will be more trouble to carry around and to use than it will ever be worth.

If you think that this is all the pulling power you will need, just toss a come-along in the rig and call it good.

Mark...

Yea, I’d agree, but trying to get away from manual. Cold, wife, and...

Not what you are asking, but your money would be well spent on first taking a recovery course where you will learn why your idea is a waste of money and potentially very dangerous. Find your nearest I4WDTA certified instructor and take the basic recovery class. You'll be glad you did.

Great suggestion. I took a course or two in the military, have a good idea on the physics of what I’m trying to do. My additional information probably helps too. Everyone brings up great points. I need my solution to be powered, portable. It’s just trying to get out of quick icy situations.

 

[jpoole]

Is it possible to work on the grading, drainage and surfaces of the road in question now to avoid water retention and ice sheeting altogether?

A lot can typically be accomplished with a shovel and repeated attendance to wet areas whenever it rains. There should be enough rain between now and consistent below freezing temps to give you chances to work on drainage, etc. before freezing starts.

Beyond drainage, bringing in gravel to build up wet areas, spreading sand/gravel over time where issues come up may help a lot also.

I'm sure that there are many on this forum that maintain long drives/roads and also see cold temps that can weigh in here. I'd be looking to spend my time/$ on making the road safe if that is possible and would consider hiring a neighbor with a tractor / blade and experience, etc. if possible.

When it's cold and slick I wouldn't want my wife possibly sliding, getting stuck and then walking around outside of the 80. I wouldn't want her trying to deal with recovery gear, etc. in the cold, on ice, etc. I'd still consider the tow straps/comealong that I mentioned for your use at least (or to have a strap if someone comes to help her) but I would do what I could to avoid ever needing to use them.

When we lived further North the slip on YakTrax were super useful in dealing with icy situations. I would definitely put a few pairs of these in all of your vehicles and also have some at home/wherever you may need them:

https://www.amazon.com/Yaktrax-Traction-Walking-Jogging-X-Large/dp/B0094GO7PU/ref=asc_df_B0094GO7PU/

I'd also go ahead and get chains for all 4 wheels. Proper chains on all 4 will make a big difference in how well your 80 manages what you are describing.

I get where you are coming from and can imagine that there are plenty more details that are pointing you in the direction you are trying to go but even if it's a shared or public road I'd still be taking steps to make it safer during the Winter if at all possible. I'd also be doing what I could to avoid any uncontrolled sliding, getting stuck or having to get out of the 80 in bad weather and icy conditions.

 

[Mark W]

I've got just a little bit of experience with Cruisers, ice and chains. I see one or two on road applications a year either pulling someone out of the ditch or up a hill or negotiating a particularly nasty stretch on my own on some back road. I see one or two day long use of chains off road on the trail every year.

For the past 40 years.

For starters, why are you only chaining the rear????? Buy another pair and chain all four tires (like you should be doing anyway) and it will be the next best thing to a tank. If I don't fart around I can have all four chained in five minutes from when I pull the chains out of the back until I am pulling away. You will spend more time than that rigging your winch. IF you have anything to rig it to.

If chains won't get you safely through on an icy road, it is doubtful than a 1-2 ton hand portable winch is gonna do it.

For that matter if you are just trying to get through a slick spot of the size that a portable winch will get you through (it ain't gonna have 100 feet of cable on it!) keep a bag of pea gravel (traction sand) in the back of the rig and sprinkle that under tires and just drive through. Done that a few times over the years. Cheap, quick, easy and it works great.

If you are sending your wife alone down a road that is so bad that she is gonna have to get out and rig a winch and drag her cruiser through... I gotta ask... WTF are you thinking???????

If you are dead set on the idea of a 12v portable winch... Not sure why you are having trouble finding anything. I typed in "12v portable winch" in google and saw several in about 3.842 seconds.

If this is what you want to try, go for it. Until you try, all you are doing is listening to other people after all.


Mark....

 

[smritte]

OK...Ice.
You probably figured this part out but, quite a few of us have seen people trying to extract them selves with a small come along. This is why the responses were geared away from that.
I'll just repeat what others have said, chains front and rear. Huge difference having them on all four corners. You can also get studded chains. If you had to deal with those issues months at a time, now your looking at studded tires.
If your looking to extract yourself from a ditch you slid into, now were back to the original conversations.

Your smart enough to ask questions so, that's a start.

 

[ppc]

With the use of any type of winch of any size or a come along what is the anchor point (tree, rock, another vehicle) are you are planning pull against? Unless you can find anchor points directly straight ahead you run the risk of pulling you off the side of the road getting you in a bigger mess.

Expecting your wife to do this herself sounds like a good path to a devoice.

As others have said, using p-gravel, sand, salt etc. is a much better, safer solution. Your best option is to buy four new dedicated snow tire for winter use only like a Bridgestone Blizzak or similar. They wear quickly on dry roads so you don't want to run them all year.