PORTABLE WINCH (not bumper installed)

[Ed Dell]

It goes without saying that a winch is a must tool if you gonna be offroading, specially if going by yourself or other fellow "light" off roaders, so you have some peace of mind and not get stuck at some point in a trail

The issue foe me is that in order to get the classic bumper winch, you need to have a bumper that has that capability and then install, wiring, etc. It will ramp up the bill.

As I have the OEM bumper and not looking into swapping it for a winch ready one at this time, I was looking into portable winches and got curious about this one:

https://www.amazon.com/RUGCEL-WINCH-Electric-Integrated-Synthetic/dp/B0D12TXRVR/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?crid=1JM9L3UZEOQUX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rm0DVV-ut_lCEDXaU5UL3YQ85AFec9EXMSHM65n04JnAKW_InD10LXsUKmTvXCra2Ikyts93cdUYFb161LrmOyDNmXDBpjv_EfrRmqRXq1ReCAYdbCQZU8gNu6Ydtol9TUArBd5BcPQadzN60oFhznlxk14E-vfb6LDig1jLN9hu7bx1l-hURqUOnWqmxF1o2iWuaaoqkxZ4lm-0VNV0qeAebY5zo9tIYjeN2BQ5AvvAb4puxuLhVWjC9wxzaMXf0j8-Q6RsWzS_b04w-Krwb4Q7etRPhj6zIkCJ4QbxicM.SpMapDfbZ9c-RR69sZVL2USbw9f94ti37_b3y4Y7C5w&dib_tag=se&keywords=portable+winch&qid=1728044671&s=automotive&sprefix=portable+winch,automotive,191&sr=1-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

As I keep researching these options, I have a couple of questions.

Is this a good alternative to have in the back of the truck in case you need it while offroading?

What are other suggestions regarding this type of portable winch? Also, what load rating would be good for a winch like this?

Sponsored

 

[sharpsicle]

Certainly better than nothing. I personally carry the Warn drill winch so I can use it anywhere. It's helped me a few times, but then again I've never been so stuck that it would've struggled to get me out either. Bonus is I can use it to help with projects around the house since it's truly portable.

I do doubt the load rating on the one you linked though. I'm sure that's overstated by 2x-3x, especially based on the reviews.

 

[stingrey]

...

What are other suggestions regarding this type of portable winch? Also, what load rating would be good for a winch like this?

Search for ' Samko Winch ' in YouTube. He demonstrates a good option, if you have a hitch receiver.

 

[Jaxmax]

I don’t feel 4500 lbs. is big enough, Jeep (factory option winch they provide) and myself feel 8,000lb. is the minimum. How does it hook to your Jeep with those two straps attached to brackets , probably be better set up with an Anderson connector at winch and at battery. There are heavier brackets to mount a proper winch to on a receiver but now bigger winch and bracket is getting heavy., putting a badlands winch on it might get that weight to 100pounds.
Don’t get caught up in getting every mod there are a lot of people out there with out winches that have buddies to snatch strap them out.
If it is about the money there are a bunch of guys that have put a winch in the plastic bumper, but it takes some talent.
Last piece of possibly unsolicited advice, don’t go cheap on a winch, you don’t have to spend what some of us have , but winches are not the place to go cheap……Jack

 

[Reddog]

It goes without saying that a winch is a must tool if you gonna be offroading, specially if going by yourself or other fellow "light" off roaders, so you have some peace of mind and not get stuck at some point in a trail

The issue foe me is that in order to get the classic bumper winch, you need to have a bumper that has that capability and then install, wiring, etc. It will ramp up the bill.

As I have the OEM bumper and not looking into swapping it for a winch ready one at this time, I was looking into portable winches and got curious about this one:

https://www.amazon.com/RUGCEL-WINCH-Electric-Integrated-Synthetic/dp/B0D12TXRVR/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?crid=1JM9L3UZEOQUX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rm0DVV-ut_lCEDXaU5UL3YQ85AFec9EXMSHM65n04JnAKW_InD10LXsUKmTvXCra2Ikyts93cdUYFb161LrmOyDNmXDBpjv_EfrRmqRXq1ReCAYdbCQZU8gNu6Ydtol9TUArBd5BcPQadzN60oFhznlxk14E-vfb6LDig1jLN9hu7bx1l-hURqUOnWqmxF1o2iWuaaoqkxZ4lm-0VNV0qeAebY5zo9tIYjeN2BQ5AvvAb4puxuLhVWjC9wxzaMXf0j8-Q6RsWzS_b04w-Krwb4Q7etRPhj6zIkCJ4QbxicM.SpMapDfbZ9c-RR69sZVL2USbw9f94ti37_b3y4Y7C5w&dib_tag=se&keywords=portable+winch&qid=1728044671&s=automotive&sprefix=portable+winch,automotive,191&sr=1-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

As I keep researching these options, I have a couple of questions.

Is this a good alternative to have in the back of the truck in case you need it while offroading?

What are other suggestions regarding this type of portable winch? Also, what load rating would be good for a winch like this?

I built a receiver hitch winch for my son for his ranch. It is just for light work, not pulling our a stuck jeep or truck. It has a 4K winch mounted on a winch plate/hitch. If that is your goal, then you need a 10K min pull winch for recovery and that is a lot of winch power for a receiver hitch. I would never do so without serious upgrades to the receiver mounting. Just save your money, buy a good winch and winch plate and bumper when you can afford it.

 

[AyeCantSeeYou]

It'd be ok for an ATV, but not for a Gladiator. Ask yourself if you would trust your life with it.

 

[Zachanadandy]

Portable winches just don't have the power needed for a full sized vehicle. You can get a winch bumper for under $400 and a 10k-12k winch in the same price range. As far as wiring adding to the bill, it's all included with the winch. Anyone with a socket set could install it themselves in a few hours. Most tow companies have a $500 minimum if you're stuck off road. 1 stuck pays for the winch and bumper once you factor in the time you'll waste waiting for help. The whole setup was under $800 shipped to the house and it's a 13.5k pound winch so there's plenty of headroom if I'm really stuck.

 

[1JeepFamily]

I had the Winch2Go for years as an insurance policy, knowing I could shackle it to double the strength to 9klbs. But, I never ended up using it and sold it 2 years later for $50 less than the original price.

 

[robinja]

Why not this stock bumper option?:
https://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-90205.htm

 

[Msilva]

Why not this stock bumper option?:
https://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-90205.htm

Interesting option. Thanks for sharing. I’d not seen that one before.

 

[animusrien]

Your best bet is to get a front receiver and a hitch winch mount. Then you can put it on front, rear, or keep inside, or put on any other vehicle.

 

[Pips_the_JT]

I use one of these from Harbor Freight with a winch and a battery. When I don't need it, it sits in the garage on a trickle charger.

 

[bd100]

An option:
https://www.wyeth-scott.com/

 

[Jefe1018]

I’d buy a 5 ton come along and save for a winch / bumper.

You might be able to get away with it… but do you want to rely on an under rated unproven product?

 

[Zachanadandy]

An option:
https://www.wyeth-scott.com/

A $400 come along? You can get 12k pound winch for that. I'll stick with power tools when the cost is the same. That feels like buying a $20k shovel because I don't want the complexity of a mini excavator.

Sponsored