How do I install a winch, beginner help
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New User
Joined: Jun 2015
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How do I install a winch, beginner help
I purchased my first F250 7.3 PSD last year and recently bought a harbor freight 12000lb winch 12000 lb. Off-Road Vehicle Electric Winch with Automatic Load-Holding Brake. I live in the forested mountains of WV, and I'm planning to use it to pull trees up slopes that are too steep for vehicles. Also I may need to use it to assist my truck up a steep 45° incline on on of the logging paths on my farm.
This is the first winch I've owned, and I could use some suggestions on how to install it, if I need to buy additional parts, and whether the front or rear bumper would be best. My bumpers are stock - do I need a special winch bumper?
I bought a universal winch mount, but it had no directions.Universal Channel Winch Mount
Any help is greatly appreciated!
This is the first winch I've owned, and I could use some suggestions on how to install it, if I need to buy additional parts, and whether the front or rear bumper would be best. My bumpers are stock - do I need a special winch bumper?
I bought a universal winch mount, but it had no directions.Universal Channel Winch Mount
Any help is greatly appreciated!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 243
Likes: 16
From: Estacada, Oregon
I have this on my truck, it has held up so far (but I only use my winch once a year or so).
Warn Industries - Mounting Systems: Hidden Kit For '99-13 Ford Super Duty
I have the same winch, and it has worked well for me.
Warn Industries - Mounting Systems: Hidden Kit For '99-13 Ford Super Duty
I have the same winch, and it has worked well for me.
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,339
Likes: 350
From: Breckenridge, TX
If you're unsure about how to mount and use a winch correctly, please go to a shop and have them help you out. Everything from the location of the winch to the kind of bolts you hold it on with will matter, if you use even one incorrectly rated part you can start breaking things.
At bare minimum read this, specifically the sections on equipment load rating and grade (slope) resistance:
Pirate4x4.Com - Extreme Four Wheel Drive
A relatively "light" log of 2000# can easily load you down to 8,000# or higher of line pull weight simply by dragging it up a grade, and the resistance of the limbs dragging on the ground. For your truck, pulling up a 45* grade can almost double the pull weight of your truck, so you're going to need to look into a block at least probably. Make sure EVERY piece of equipment is rated, don't just grab Ye Olde Farm Chain from the bed and start hooking it on to things.
At bare minimum read this, specifically the sections on equipment load rating and grade (slope) resistance:
Pirate4x4.Com - Extreme Four Wheel Drive
A relatively "light" log of 2000# can easily load you down to 8,000# or higher of line pull weight simply by dragging it up a grade, and the resistance of the limbs dragging on the ground. For your truck, pulling up a 45* grade can almost double the pull weight of your truck, so you're going to need to look into a block at least probably. Make sure EVERY piece of equipment is rated, don't just grab Ye Olde Farm Chain from the bed and start hooking it on to things.
Elder User
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 785
Likes: 2
I mounted my winch on a homemade "universal mount." I took a piece of square tubing that fits in a hitch receiver, welded on a piece of plate and some gussets, and bolted the winch to it. I have receivers on the front and back of my trucks, as well as trailers. I also have wiring from the batteries mounted under the front and rear bumpers, so the winch can be plugged in on either end.
It makes it much more versatile than a permanent mounting setup. I also use a ****** block and sling frequently. It doubles the pulling power of the winch.
It makes it much more versatile than a permanent mounting setup. I also use a ****** block and sling frequently. It doubles the pulling power of the winch.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 186
Likes: 6
Your best option (though NOT the cheapest) would be to buy either a winch bumper or a Warn Trans4mer winch mount that's designed to fit your truck and safely support a winch. A 12k lb. winch can put tremendous force on bumper mounts, etc. and you don't want things to let go unexpectedly.
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