rharr
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 6, 2021
- Threads
- 20
- Messages
- 1,265
- Reaction score
- 1,663
- Location
- Tucson, AZ
- Vehicle(s)
- 21 JTRD 3" RKK lift, (former) 95 XJ 5sp 8" lift
I think you are missing the point, I did say mount the winch when you are headed out on an adventure, what's the point of just throwing it the back and installing it when you are stuck?Plenty of other times to use a winch - times maybe you didn't or can't plan on - and maybe lifting a 150 pound winch in and out of a receiver isn't your thing and cabling it up.
I used mine to help a neighbor pull a generator onto a concrete slab.
Another time a driver had already gotten help, but I was seconds from being where a car needed pulled back onto the road this past winter (actually, more than once, it was a nasty winter, road-wise).
Storage, getting it out of the back and setting it in place when your Jeep may not be in the best of positions to be messing with such things, in the water or mud - fumbling around to set a winch in place? Hard enough to walk in some of that muck without 100 extra mounds in your hands.
It's called being prepared and since the truck is in a garage most of the time, out of the SUN, and because the bumper actually keeps the sun off all except the very very end (and if I put my flip-up license plate bracket in place, that won't even be exposed) there will be little difference in rope life, frankly. They also make winch covers, etc.
My truck's box is for hauling payload, not the winch and other stuff "just in case".
It's always ready in case someone ELSE needs help, or if I at the last minute decide to get out and about a bit - off the beaten path.
So I'm headed to CO for a car show, do I leave the winch at home since I won't be in the mud or trails and so it won't be taking up payload or SPACE in that small box, or have it up front always ready (and saving my back from lugging it around "just in case")
It takes less then 10 minutes to slide a carrier into a receiver and click the power leads together....
150lb winch, you must be talking about a 16,000 lb flat bed winch. Last I checked my 9000 lb warn with a steel long lead is closer to 70 probably less.
Not sure what others do but I have a tool trunk that lives in the back of the jeep which has a come along winch as a back up, and 30 foot tow strap, not to mention a highlift jack mounted to the jeep that can also be used as a winch. Plenty of options for the that didn't plan it situation. Plus all of those except the Hi lift are also out of the weather and away from sticky fingers. So I still maintain my stance what's the point of permeant winch mount when you are just going to walmart. Seems like it becomes more a lifestyle statement you need to show others.
I have used mine to pull a 800lb welding table onto my trailer, and when i was done using it i put it away and ready for the next time.
My point is a lot of people just throw money around cause they don't know any better, before jumping into any big purchases go do some wheelin first with a local club and get a flavor of what you need and want to do. I have done plenty of stuff and about the only time I really needed a winch was when I needed to drag a log out of a camping spot so I could get my jeep in.
4wd and lockers or limited slip gets you a lot farther then a winch.
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