Winch for TC

Hitch mounting a winch is an ok Idea if your using it to pull some wimpy logs or something pretty easy and pretty much strait on. Your hitch is probably only good for 8,000 pounds or so. Dragging a truck and TC out of a bad situation will more than likely tear things up if not mounted properly to a heavy duty bumper or frame mount. Especially if things go a little sideways.

Get a hand winch if you want to save money.

Consider MileMarker hydraulic for continuous power available from the power steering.

~DJ~ wrote:
This 12K AC winch takes 400 amps to produce full pull. You're gonna need a bigger generator!!

That's not an AC winch, it's 12v DC. Even so 400A at 12v is 4,800 watts. If a 120v AC winch were similar in drive train and motor efficiency it would need similar power.

The only down side of of using a hitch mounted winch is the rating of the front receiver. My receiver mounted winch carrier is rated for 8k or 10k lbs (even though it will accept a larger winch) - It may be hard finding one strong enough for your application.

At some point, I want a heavier front bumper with integrated receiver but at this time just have winch access from the rear receiver. For my expected light duty extraction use, I prefer keeping the winch stowed inside until needed instead of exposed constantly to the elements. I carry two pulley blocks with me so I can redirect or double up the line. Although I have tested my setup, I have not had to put it into actual use. My biggest concern is an anchor point that is sufficiently strong enough to actually recover my vehicle when trees or other large vehicles are not nearby.

In a related question does anyone connect the winch to a hitch so it can be moved from front of truck and rear depending on how you are stuck ?

This 12K AC winch takes 400 amps to produce full pull. You're gonna need a bigger generator!!

I have a 12,000 pound winch from summit racing on the front of my rig. Believe they are made by T-Max.
Been using it for five or six years without a problem. Has helped me and many others out of mud and snow quite a few times. It''s not like your gonna winch your rig up a water fall or anything but it will pull you out of a mess. As others have said, on a heavy pull it draws some serious power. Gotta have the Cummins rev'd up! Not sure you will have enough juice from the genny to pull you out. Unless your getting some "too good to pass up deal" on the 120 volt winch I would go with DC. I use my winch a lot for a lot of things. Cant imagine my truck without it now that its up there!

I agree that 12k winch can draw lot of power, but then if you really use it at such load, you better have roll-cage on the pickup, not a camper.

DC Winch. Done

Have you looked into how much power that 12,000 pound AC winch would draw. It might be questionable if your generator is big enough. It might run it fine with no load but it may stall out when you try to really use it at full load in tough conditions.