Truck winches

[Too many Kubotas]

Yeah I’m just doing the biggest winch I can fit in the space provided on the front bumper. I can’t afford to do pumps, tanks, lines, switches, etc.

I wouldn't necessarily go for the biggest (heaviest) one that fits.

Don't underestimate the beauty of snatch blocks. Unless the nearest anchor point is far away, one, two, or even three snatch blocks can do wonders.

 

[Hay Dude]

I wouldn't necessarily go for the biggest (heaviest) one that fits.

Don't underestimate the beauty of snatch blocks. Unless the nearest anchor point is far away, one, two, or even three snatch blocks can do wonders.

Nah, I’m keeping it simple.
No snatch blocks, just heavy line and as much as possible.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Nah, I’m keeping it simple.
No snatch blocks, just heavy line and as much as possible.

I've found that using snatch blocks can often simplify things.

Not only can they take strain off the winch, but when you can't get the correct pulling angle they're almost irreplaceable.

 

[WinterDeere]

@Hay Dude, I read the first two or three pages, then skipped to the end. Doesn't look like you've bought yet, so maybe this is still useful.

You were talking about a 450A draw, which of course is only at peak load, but you should size for it anyway. Outside of residential applications (NEC), wire is rated according to maximum temperature the insulation can handle, and temperature rise at a given current, for a given number of conductors in a bundle, etc. The trouble here is that even 4/0 (#0000) cable with a 90°C jacket is only rated 405 amps in single conductor... and then all of your wiring devices to which it connects must also have 90°C terminals. That's not trivial.

Even worse, if ambient temp is above 87F, the wire (and wiring devices) de-rates to 91% (369 amps) and then derates again to 87% at 105F.

There are work-arounds, but are you really sure you want to ride this horse? As others have noted a 250 amp / 10k lb. winch can do an awful lot, and doubling up the line with a snatch block is pretty easy for those rare occasions when you need more pull.

 

[WinterDeere]

Oh, and whatever you buy, make sure your wiring is either UV-resistant, or fully jacketed in loom or tubing. Any spot light can get in, on a vehicle that sits outdoors 24/7/365, is going to cause insulation to fail.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I have quite a few winches of all types and IF I could only have one electric winch, this would absolutely be it, (Warn 17801)

Amazon.com

How do I know this is a GREAT winch? Because I already have one and it is VERY powerful and I've never had it overheat, even on long pulls. IF, it would get too hot, it will shut off and only power out until it cools and resets, but like I said, I've never had it happen.

SR

 

[nisaacs]

Looks to me like you will loose a lot of airflow, especially after you add a winch. Is that a concern at all?

 

[Rustyiron]

I’d really like that, too.
My RAM already has a PTO on the transmission.
Would need pump, tank, electronic/hydraulic solenoid, winch and a lot of labor.

$$$$$$

My guess would be $5K or north.

Electric so much cheaper, but I don’t know about the electric draw.

The best winch I've ever had was pto shaft driven. Now this was on a 67 Bronco and I imagine that I had a lot more physical space to work with sending the pto shaft to the front bumper than any modern vehicle.
I actually had the pto on the x-fer case and with it in neutral, I had a 4 sp winch with reverse!
Talk about making a young 20 year old kid even more fearless (dumb).

 

[Hay Dude]

The best winch I've ever had was pto shaft driven. Now this was on a 67 Bronco and I imagine that I had a lot more physical space to work with sending the pto shaft to the front bumper than any modern vehicle.
I actually had the pto on the x-fer case and with it in neutral, I had a 4 sp winch with reverse!
Talk about making a young 20 year old kid even more fearless (dumb).

I have that option, but that would be crazy expensive

 

[Hay Dude]

Looks to me like you will loose a lot of airflow, especially after you add a winch. Is that a concern at all?

View attachment 838105

I actually thought the air flow was improved with the new bumper. The old bumper and lower valance really directed air to go underneath to improve wind resistance.
Not really concerned.
Yet.

 

[Hay Dude]

I have quite a few winches of all types and IF I would only have one electric winch, this would absolutely be it, (Warn 17801)

Amazon.com

How do I know this is a GREAT winch? Because I already have one and it is VERY powerful and I've never had it overheat, even on long pulls. IF, it would get too hot, it will shut off and only power out until it cools and resets, but like I said, I've never had it happen.

SR

Wow are they expensive!
The Warn 12K is the same as a Sherpa 20K

 

[700R]

Wow are they expensive!
The Warn 12K is the same as a Sherpa 20K

You pay for the name.

Now I believe that Warn has models made in the US, and other models made in China, so that could also be a factor in pricing.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Wow are they expensive!
The Warn 12K is the same as a Sherpa 20K

IF you want quality, you have to pay for it.

Buy Once, Cry Once!

SR

 

[Hay Dude]

IF you want quality, you have to pay for it.

Buy Once, Cry Once!

SR

I think Sherpa is right there with Warn in quality.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I think Sherpa is right there with Warn in quality.

I think I'd rather buy the one that's a proven design, been around a long time and made in the USA.

I KNOW that model Warn is a good winch, at least mine has been, I've seen what it will do.

SR

 

[oosik]

When you get stuck out in the middle of BF nowhere - hard to remember the $$$ you saved on a winch that won't do the job for you. 40+ years using only WARN winches and never let down once.

Nowhere = you shout out - the only thing that answers is a lone wolf call or the beller of a bull moose.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

I actually thought the air flow was improved with the new bumper. The old bumper and lower valance really directed air to go underneath to improve wind resistance.
Not really concerned.
Yet.

I had a winch bumper on a '10 Ram and it killed the mileage, because without the lower factory bumper and air dam the air would end up under the vehicle.

Regained much of the lost aerodynamics by grafting a factory bumper onto it, then added four inches to the air dam, extending it down. It was a lot of work, and ugly, but did its job.

Now this was a gasser, so I didn't have to worry about the aftermarket bumper blocking flow to the charge air cooler. And the bumper was aluminum. Sitting so far ahead of the front axle it was still noticeable weight - and that was without a winch.

 

[Hay Dude]

No long trips or long highway driving going on with this truck, so not a concern, but thanks for the angst.

 

[Hay Dude]

I think I'd rather buy the one that's a proven design, been around a long time and made in the USA.

I KNOW that model Warn is a good winch, at least mine has been, I've seen what it will do.

SR

Sherpa is VERY proven.

Hey no doubt about what you are saying. Just need to see if I can afford $3,000 for a Warn 18K winch.

I’m not considering anything that’s junk.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I figured out the power problem all together! No battery, hydraulic, or direct PTO drive. Mobile use for any vehicle, including mowers and bicycles!