Winch questions, looking for advice
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 p...
Forum Discussion
Appreciate the responses so far, and if I were to go with a winch part of me is torn between the permanent front mount versus something less substantial that could be used in a front/rear hitch mount situation. A side benefit of that would be a longer rope that could more easily be doubled up with a snatch block (versus something like the Warn 16.5 with just 90' of cable). But hitch mounted winches would be limited to 9k-ish rated units, e.g. Warn XD9i Multi-Mount.
I did stop by our local Trux Outfitter and got their advice for a front winch mount. I would rather avoid a full bumper replacement if I could, so something like the Warn front winch mount would work. They also suggested the Westin HDX winch mount as one they've installed for folks who have been happy with it. The Westin is rated for 16.5k straight line pull, but is limited to a winch that's 10.25" high, which I think would rule out the Ramsey but accommodate the Warn models.
And then there's the price factor, lots of people seem happy with the Smittybuilt winches, which are a lot less than Ramsey or Warn (https://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-97517-X2O-Waterproof-Winch/dp/B00K150V9O).
It's all about trade-offs. I agree with folks who note I won't be deep mudding or rock crawling with a TC, so smaller could be adequate; on the other hand, I have a sort of risk-averse tendency to want to "use enough gun"... so that part of me says get the strongest unit that fits the truck and that I can afford.
Anyway. Please keep the comments and advice coming, this is really helpful for me. thanks.
Jim
I did stop by our local Trux Outfitter and got their advice for a front winch mount. I would rather avoid a full bumper replacement if I could, so something like the Warn front winch mount would work. They also suggested the Westin HDX winch mount as one they've installed for folks who have been happy with it. The Westin is rated for 16.5k straight line pull, but is limited to a winch that's 10.25" high, which I think would rule out the Ramsey but accommodate the Warn models.
And then there's the price factor, lots of people seem happy with the Smittybuilt winches, which are a lot less than Ramsey or Warn (https://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-97517-X2O-Waterproof-Winch/dp/B00K150V9O).
It's all about trade-offs. I agree with folks who note I won't be deep mudding or rock crawling with a TC, so smaller could be adequate; on the other hand, I have a sort of risk-averse tendency to want to "use enough gun"... so that part of me says get the strongest unit that fits the truck and that I can afford.
Anyway. Please keep the comments and advice coming, this is really helpful for me. thanks.
Jim
