Mounting Traveller 8000lb Winch on Car Trailer

Posted by Mike Levine | Feb 22, 2011

Past Dan Sanchez for PickupTrucks.com

When y'all take your truck into the backcountry, it'due south more than likely y'all'll meet large rocks, mud, snow or sand. Although your off-road driving skills may let y'all to conquer this type of terrain, you may desire to consider some insurance in the form of a self-recovery winch.

A winch mounted on your truck volition allow you to get out of only about any stuck situation. Yous may not use information technology often, but it will more than pay for itself the kickoff fourth dimension you lot really need it.

A winch is definitely an investment in your off-route adventures, so it'southward wise to do your research before buying ane. A diversity of winches tin can handle everything from a lightweight ATV to a full-size truck, like a Ford F-150 SuperCrew or Chevy 2500 HD. Some trucks, similar the Ram 2500 Power Wagon, come up equipped with a Warn 12,000-pound front-mounted winch that's integrated into the factory front end bumper. Merely to adhere a winch to your pickup, you'll have to consider using a new bumper or push button bar with a winch mountain. Some other option is to use a hidden winch mountain that will allow you to attach and remove the winch to the front and/or rear of your pickup, much like a towing hitch.

Cull the mounting method outset, as not all winch manufacturers work with every bumper or push bar bachelor. About advanced off-road enthusiasts and professional off-route racers recommend starting with a front-mounted winch. Mounting the winch at the front of the vehicle allows a better line of sight to help you drive out of a state of affairs, using the winch as an aid.

Capacity

Winches vary in size and capabilities, then the next step is to narrow down your choices by properly matching the unit's pulling strength to your pickup truck. A mutual rule of thumb is to simply double the weight of your vehicle. Midsize pickups like a Toyota Tacoma or Nissan Frontier tin can utilize a 9,000- to ix,500-pound-capacity winch. Full-size trucks like a Ford F-150 or Chevy 1500 require at least a 12,000- or 12,500-pound-capacity winch. For a bigger truck — such every bit a diesel with lots of accessories, large wheels and more — there are winches that can handle xvi,500 to xviii,000 pounds.

If you're still not sure, consider getting a winch with more capacity. Bigger is better in this situation, and it tin can besides put less strain on the winch and extend its service life. Just y'all don't need to go overboard and consider the unit'southward physical size. Typically, larger-capacity winches have larger motors and line spools, so you'll have to compare information from various winch makers to see what works best with the weight of your truck and how it will be mounted.

Photo courtesy of Sean Holman

Electrical or Hydraulic?

Winches are powered two different means. The most common are electric winches, which utilise the vehicle'southward battery power to plough the motor. Electric winches typically have faster winding speed and are somewhat easier to install. They besides offer the advantage of using a remote command that allows you to stand safely away from the winch and vehicle during recovery.

Considering an electrical winch draws lots of power from your truck's electric system, it'southward important to brand sure there's plenty power to operate it. Look at the winch manufacturer'southward amperage rating and make certain your vehicle's battery and alternator can evangelize the necessary amperage to run it at full capacity, even with the headlights on. If not, y'all may need to upgrade to a dual-battery system or a higher-output alternator.

Hydraulic winches typically use the vehicle's power steering pump to wind up the winch line. Many enthusiasts swear past hydraulic winches, equally they are extremely reliable and not afflicted by water or low bombardment power. This is a reason why they are normally used in areas with lots of mud or water. As long equally the truck's engine is even so running, a hydraulic winch tin can pull you out of any situation. But since at that place'due south extra plumbing and hydraulic lines to add, not all hydraulic winches fit on every truck or mounting application.

Steel Cable or Synthetic?

Winch manufacturers now offer a choice of using a steel or synthetic winch line. Steel is the most common, and for obvious reasons. It's incredibly strong, lasts a long time and resists abrasions confronting rocks. Over fourth dimension, however, steel cables will corrode, fray and sometimes break. If this happens under tension, a steel cablevision can crusade serious injury considering of the amount of potential energy stored in the cablevision.

This is why many off-road-racing sanctioning bodies and off-road events require using only synthetic winch lines. By far, synthetic lines are lighter and hold less potential energy. So if they snap under tension, there's less chance of injury or damage. While a synthetic line is much lighter than a steel cable, it is likewise much stronger. Merely a synthetic line doesn't resist abrasions well and will somewhen snap if information technology's constantly rubbed against rocks or clay.

Most experienced off-road enthusiasts recommend learning prophylactic self-recovery techniques with a steel cable first. Once you lot've learned how to secure the line and treat information technology properly, you tin move to a lighter synthetic line and avoid any unnecessary contact to minimize abrasions.

Winches

There's a broad range and diversity of winches. We've compiled some of the newest with some of the features that most pickup truck owners like. Contact the manufacturers to get more info, and talk to other truck owners to see which winch they prefer and have experience with. This information — along with assisting or learning proper winch techniques from an experienced enthusiast or off-road backcountry guide — tin can help you tremendously before you purchase your first winch.

Warn XC9000i

Touted equally one of the premium winches in the Warn line, the XC9000i has a 9,000-pound pull capacity and runs cooler with a low amperage describe (maximum 460 amps at nine,000 pounds of pull, 6.38 anxiety per minute line speed). This winch uses a three-phase planetary gear system and weighs 85 pounds. It comes with a remote control and comes in a full-metal protective housing. world wide web.warn.com

Warn PowerPlant HD

This heavy-duty winch comes complete with an integrated air compressor, and the unit weighs 115 pounds. It features a 3-stage planetary gear system, a very high duty wheel rating and a low amperage draw of 416 amps at 12,000 pounds of pull (3.6 feet per minute line speed). The built-in air compressor puts out 5 cubic feet per infinitesimal at xc pounds per square inch. It also has a 4.vi-horsepower motor and an air tank and intercooler that allow the unit to fill up iv 35-inch-diameter tires in 8 minutes or less. www.warn.com

Superwinch Talon 12.5 SR

This 12,000-pound-chapters winch features a 6-hp motor and a two-stage planetary gear system that makes it fast and lightweight. The SR designation means information technology uses synthetic rope, Superwinch's AmSteel Blue with a Samthane coating that helps the rope resist abrasions. At 12,500 pounds of line pull, the Talon 12.5 draws 530 amps and has a line speed of iii.25 feet per infinitesimal. The Talon 12.five is also available with a steel cable and weighs 94 pounds. www.superwinch.com

Superwinch Talon 9.5i

Midsize and some full-size trucks can take advantage of the Superwinch Talon 9.51's lighter weight. This winch has nine,500 pounds of line pull and draws 430 amps with a line speed of 5 feet per infinitesimal. The Talon 9.5i uses a two-stage planetary gear system and is too available with synthetic rope (Talon nine.5i SR). The winch weighs 67 pounds installed. world wide web.superwinch.com

Mile Mark V-ten

Mile Marker's V-Serial winches characteristic solid-state Mi-Fi electronics that permit yous to control the line speed with a hand-held remote. This applied science eliminates the traditional solenoids that can wear out or fail over time. The V-ten model uses a iii-stage planetary gear system and a 6.5-hp motor and weighs 102 pounds installed. Information technology pulls 10,000 pounds, drawing 385 amps at a maximum line speed of 8.1 anxiety per minute. The Five-12 model pulls 12,000 pounds, weighs 102 pounds and draws 380 amps with a line speed of half dozen.ane feet per minute. www.milemarker.com

Mile Marker H1200

This hydraulic winch has a 12,000-pound pull rating and uses a separate solenoid control valve that gives it more mounting options. This two-speed winch has a line speed of 5.65 anxiety per minute in low gear (12,000 pounds) and 31 anxiety per minute in high gear (maximum 2,000 pounds). The ductile fe body is corrosion-resistant and weighs 98 pounds. The winch can also exist operated if it's fully submerged in water. www.milemarker.com

Ramsey Patriot 9500 UT

The Ramsey 9500 UT has a 9,500-pound pull rating and weighs 93 pounds. At maximum load, it has a line speed of 7.8 feet per minute (at 9,500 pounds) and draws 430 amps. Ramsey's semi-automated clutch and 5.five-hp motor reduce winching time, and a wireless remote control key play a trick on can operate the winch from up to l feet away. www.ramsey.com

Ramsey Patriot 15000

This heavy-duty winch pulls up to xv,000 pounds and weighs 120 pounds installed. At maximum load, it draws 460 amps and has a line speed of three.ix anxiety per infinitesimal. The Patriot 15000 uses a five.v-hp motor and a three-stage planetary gear system. Information technology also features a compact body with an integrated solenoid system, and information technology has a four-roller fairlead. Information technology can exist used with a wired or wireless remote control. www.ramsey.com

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