Hi everyone,I've done several days of reading over every winch-related thread I could find here in the archives. Still have some questions and am looking for advice. I've got a new truck and a pop-up camper on the way. So total weight will be 10,000+ pounds. I've gotten stuck on hunting trips in the past with both an unloaded F150 and an unloaded diesel megacab. In every case had folks nearby who could pull me out with chains or tow straps, so never felt the need for a winch or even a come along.Having the camper changes things a bit, plus more and more I am hunting alone and can't count on friends nearby if I run into problems. I'm still going to be in areas though where if I were to walk out to a main road sooner or later someone would drive by and likely help me out.So a winch might be helpful although certainly not crucial. I know with the loaded vehicle weight I'm probably looking at a 15k or 16.5k for pulling power.I'd consider a come along but can't seem to find anything stronger than a 5 ton cable puller--or am I missing something out there?What are folks' thoughts? And would you go with a 12k compressor/winch setup or the straight 16.5k winch, assuming a winch is a good idea? Really just scoping out the possibilities at the moment, and appreciate any and all responses ahead of time. Jim

15k winch will put quite weight on your truck. I think lot of owners overthink/overdue the issue. I bought Harbor Freight 8k winch like 15 years ago and used it for pulling 10k tractors and forklifts up the ramps. Having 100' of cable I usually double it with block. To top it, with dual batteries I could load the heavy equipment without worry of engine starting. Sure people who put their life on the cable might want to spend big money for higher quality winch, but heck, I got my $300 worth from my winch more than 10 years ago.

I am not looking for one anymore, but when I was considering it, I was thinking of one of those movable types in the 15K# range, I believe Warn made one. The idea of not having a permanent one on the front was twofold: -I would install a front receiver to use in a traditional front pulling application as well as being able to use it in the rear. =the second advantage of this would be to keep it off the truck when not in use, thus keeping it cleaner and in better shape not being exposed constantly to the elements

I carry a Lewis Winch (made in Canada). Takes a chainsaw powerhead. Because I always carry a chainsaw anyway, the chainsaw does double duty, as a chainsaw and as the winch power. Bigger the chainsaw powerhead the more winching power you have. be apprised, they aren't cheap but then good stuff isn't as a rule.Thing I like about it is, you can winch from either end, front or back and even pull sideways if necessary. Front mounted winch is just that. On the front. The Lewis can be used anywhere.Once you get over the sticker shock, it's all good.I have a HF winch on my quad however and it's been flawless but noisy. Took it apart and actually put in some real grease, not the spaghetti sauce it comes with.A Lewis will set you back close to a grand without the chainsaw powerhead but, it's light and you can sow it about anywhere. It's really a logging winch for skidding timber in inacessable spots, but a winch is a winch.

I carry a small compressor too, not that I've ever needed it but you never know. I'm a good Scout, always prepared.

10k should be fine. Snatch block will double the power if needed.I have a MileMarker hydraulic.

Winch questions, looking for advice | Good Sam Community

35 Replies

Optimistic_Para
Explorer
Nov 10, 2017
Something that hasn't been mentioned in the posts on receiver mounted hitches: Unless you are pulling STRAIGHT ahead or STRAIGHT back, you stand a very good chance of bending the mounting bar that goes into the receiver to one side or the other. The more off-center your hook-up, the greater the chance it's gonna bend.

As for come-alongs, I used one once to drag my father's tractor out of a deep mud hole in which it was bogged down right up to it's axles.

I will rob liquor stores if I have to, to raise the money for a real winch, rather than go through something like that again!
Reddog1
Explorer II
Nov 03, 2017
Fact is, winches and related equipment are like fire extinguishers, after you spent the money you hope you never need them. I have had my 5000# Warn Winch since about 1990. I used it with jumper cables (30'), chaining it to my tractor, trees, trailer or one of several trucks. Sometimes using my Snatch Block. I mounted it to my Samurai in 2005. I have used it to get my Samurai unstuck three times, two of which were on my ten acres. I will say, those three times of need were worth my expense.

If I used my truck where I thought I would need a winch, I would buy the required stuff to pull backward. Makes no sense to me to drive forward into a bog, and the only option is to pull myself further into it.
jat4
Explorer
Nov 03, 2017
Reddog1 wrote:
jat4 wrote:
Reddog1 wrote:
Food for thought. My experience has been that I typically get stuck while going forward. This is especially true in mud. If I mount a winch on the front of my vehicle with no means to pull backward, is it my intent to pull myself further forward into the mud?

I have a winch in the front of my Samurai. I have skid plates under the Samurai that allow me to feed the cable under and to the rear for a rear pull. In mud it could sure get nasty, but less so than pulling myself deeper in the bog.

this is really the motivator for considering the alternative of a comparatively underpowered portable winch that could be mounted in the front or rear of the vehicle, because I also have gotten stuck more often than not where I needed to be pulled out from the rear. And typically not in mud up to the frame, but more just spinning wheels.

I'd love to see a photo of how you'd rig an under the vehicle pull, or a link to photos or video of someone doing that kind of recovery. That might make the front winch more of a realistic possibility.
In Youtube, I searched for "winching in reverse". You may need to see more than one video to get a complete understanding. Other than your typical winch stuff, you will need two additional D rings, Snatch Blocks, and tree savers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBphM-ujnFU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4tI3HtgdCY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxP-Mjk23HA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdT6sQAkQIs

With my Samurai, its height and skid plates allow me to fish my winch cable under the Samurai to pull backward.

hey, thanks for the links. I actually did a similar search and saw the bleeping jeep guy, but didn't see the other two. And I actually know the guy in the last video! lol. I actually thought that one was the most helpful, they had an awful lot of line and extensions, gonna have to invest.
Reddog1
Explorer II
Nov 03, 2017
jat4 wrote:
Reddog1 wrote:
Food for thought. My experience has been that I typically get stuck while going forward. This is especially true in mud. If I mount a winch on the front of my vehicle with no means to pull backward, is it my intent to pull myself further forward into the mud?

I have a winch in the front of my Samurai. I have skid plates under the Samurai that allow me to feed the cable under and to the rear for a rear pull. In mud it could sure get nasty, but less so than pulling myself deeper in the bog.

this is really the motivator for considering the alternative of a comparatively underpowered portable winch that could be mounted in the front or rear of the vehicle, because I also have gotten stuck more often than not where I needed to be pulled out from the rear. And typically not in mud up to the frame, but more just spinning wheels.

I'd love to see a photo of how you'd rig an under the vehicle pull, or a link to photos or video of someone doing that kind of recovery. That might make the front winch more of a realistic possibility.
In Youtube, I searched for "winching in reverse". You may need to see more than one video to get a complete understanding. Other than your typical winch stuff, you will need two additional D rings, Snatch Blocks, and tree savers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBphM-ujnFU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4tI3HtgdCY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxP-Mjk23HA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdT6sQAkQIs

With my Samurai, its height and skid plates allow me to fish my winch cable under the Samurai to pull backward.
Rolling_Condo
Explorer II
Nov 03, 2017
Champion 12000# portable.
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Nov 03, 2017
All this chitzpa comes right back to my Lewis. Don't need a front receiver at all, the Lewis fits on either of my frame mounted tow hooks (either side) with a short choker and fits on the rear receiver hitch with the choker on the hitch ball and I can pull at 90 degrees to my truck, something you cannot do with a regular winch without a tree handy to hook a strap and snatch block too.
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Nov 03, 2017
jat4 wrote:
mkirsch wrote:
I know people like to poo-poo the "Chinese" winches but quite frankly the Harbor Freight Badland winches are an excellent value.

The reviews are overwhelmingly positive. I have a 2500lb winch that I've abused the heck out of, dragging stuff up on to a trailer, and it just keeps coming back for more. Sits outside in the weather 6 months a year, and always works when I need it.

When I need a big one for my big trailer, I am definitely going for the 12,000 or maybe 15,000 HF winch.

I've seen just enough of these kinds of testimony to also not rule out the HF or Smittybuilt winches of the world. Especially for one that will most likely not get a whole lot of use.

They actually run quiet when you clean the Chinese snot out of the gearcase and put some real grease in.
cewillis
Explorer
Nov 02, 2017
Kayteg1 wrote:
15k winch will put quite weight on your truck.
I think lot of owners overthink/overdue the issue.
I bought Harbor Freight 8k winch like 15 years ago

I agree with this.

D3500ram wrote:
I would install a front receiver to use in a traditional front pulling application as well as being able to use it in the rear.
=the second advantage of this would be to keep it off the truck when not in use, thus keeping it cleaner and in better shape not being exposed constantly to the elements

And this too
jat4
Explorer
Nov 02, 2017
mkirsch wrote:
I know people like to poo-poo the "Chinese" winches but quite frankly the Harbor Freight Badland winches are an excellent value.

The reviews are overwhelmingly positive. I have a 2500lb winch that I've abused the heck out of, dragging stuff up on to a trailer, and it just keeps coming back for more. Sits outside in the weather 6 months a year, and always works when I need it.

When I need a big one for my big trailer, I am definitely going for the 12,000 or maybe 15,000 HF winch.

I've seen just enough of these kinds of testimony to also not rule out the HF or Smittybuilt winches of the world. Especially for one that will most likely not get a whole lot of use.
jat4
Explorer
Nov 02, 2017
Reddog1 wrote:
Food for thought. My experience has been that I typically get stuck while going forward. This is especially true in mud. If I mount a winch on the front of my vehicle with no means to pull backward, is it my intent to pull myself further forward into the mud?

I have a winch in the front of my Samurai. I have skid plates under the Samurai that allow me to feed the cable under and to the rear for a rear pull. In mud it could sure get nasty, but less so than pulling myself deeper in the bog.

this is really the motivator for considering the alternative of a comparatively underpowered portable winch that could be mounted in the front or rear of the vehicle, because I also have gotten stuck more often than not where I needed to be pulled out from the rear. And typically not in mud up to the frame, but more just spinning wheels.

I'd love to see a photo of how you'd rig an under the vehicle pull, or a link to photos or video of someone doing that kind of recovery. That might make the front winch more of a realistic possibility.

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Winch questions, looking for advice

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