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Alright folks, I've done the searching on here and openly on the web, and I'm looking for your thoughts here in the 6.7L section because our trucks are heavier. The background to this is my recent whitetail hunt trip was historic with more snow than we've ever encountered just getting to our camp area. We all had to chain up on all four corners, and even with STT Pro tires and chains, I couldn't get to any of my hunting spots due to even higher snow (to my knees). While trying to get to one spot, the narrow mountain road was sloped the wrong way, and my right rear tire ended up a foot from the bank edge. A winch at that point would have been a great help, and later it would have been handy repeatedly.....even if it gave me the confidence going into another tough spot.
Initially, I was thinking about a winch setup into trailer hitches front and rear, but I'm not sure if that's practical given my truck's GVWR is 10,500lbs. The ability to move the winch between front mount and rear mount depending on which pulling direction is needed would be handy, but I'm not sure I want to lug 80lb+ winch and mounting stock between the front and rear.
This leads me to my next question. Most recommend a winch rating 1.5x the GVWR, but I'm wondering is a 12,000lb winch would be adequate while taking advantage of ****** block(s) if I get really stuck. Otherwise, snow and other less captive media don't create the suction like mud, and then half the pulling power of a 12k winch would often be plenty to get me out of trouble.
I'd like to have a winch mounted either inside the stock bumper or on a bumper that isn't a monstrous hunk of steel. This also feeds my thought towards getting a 12k winch.
All the supporting components like ****** blocks, tow straps, tree saver straps, and shackles will be double or triple the winch rating so I could double or triple the winch pulling power.
The Warn Zeon 12-S winch with the Spydura Pro synthetic rope is getting a hard look. The Warn 16.5ti-S isn't out of the running, but it's more bulky than the 12-S, which may drive a more bulky installation. The weight of the two (80lbs vs 98lbs) isn't a huge difference.
So, tell me what you guys think, and I'd love to see some of your winch installations that showcase your hidden or open bumper mounting choices.
Damn Mike... I respect guys like you and your buddies that take your Super Dutys up mountains to go hunt...
Okay, now not from a personal experience standpoint, but when I was still subscribed to several off road magazines, I remember when Harbor Freight's line of winches, Badland, first came out as they were talked about in the new products section of those mags. I remember reading they were designed by former employees of a name brand winch, but can't remember which one.
So here's the Harbor Freight Badland Apex 12k winch. They actually make a comparison to the Warn Zeon 12S that you are looking at.
Just bringing this up because maybe you can get a just as good winch for yourself AND save some money...
Second, here's a bumper I was looking at for my truck which I think is badass but unfortunately, the plow frame on my truck prevents me from using it because it would not mount up on my truck...
I have been watching some YT videos from Matt’s Off-Road Recovery just because it’s fun just watching them drive around and pull folks out. I noticed he was using a Badlands winch, which I recognized as the Harbor Freight winch. TorkLift sent me their North Hitch earlier this year so I already have the hitch on the front, and after watching his videos it made me think about that winch. So it’ll be interesting to watch this thread.
Thanks already for the comments guys. Already giving me more to look at in the way of bumpers and Badlands winches. I had never considered Harbor Freight for something as critical as a winch, but I'll have to check the features and reliability of their winches. I do have local Harbor Freight stores.
Dave, some times the added weight of my F350 is good (like in slush or mild to medium snow), but sinking deeper in deep snow and then dealing with narrow mountain dirt roads that aren't graded properly (sloped towards the more dangerous side of the road) makes the added weight a liability.
Here's a pic of my truck and my brother's about half way through the hunt after the sun compacted the snow to about 6-8" with a 2-4" packed rut on the roads. Also threw a scenic pic in just for fun. I sat down under a tree where the snow wasn't as deep.
Thanks already for the comments guys. Already giving me more to look at in the way of bumpers and Badlands winches. I had never considered Harbor Freight for something as critical as a winch, but I'll have to check the features and reliability of their winches. I do have local Harbor Freight stores.
Dave, some times the added weight of my F350 is good (like in slush or mild to medium snow), but sinking deeper in deep snow and then dealing with narrow mountain dirt roads that aren't graded properly (sloped towards the more dangerous side of the road) makes the added weight a liability.
Here's a pic of my truck and my brother's about half way through the hunt after the sun compacted the snow to about 6-8" with a 2-4" packed rut on the roads. Also threw a scenic pic in just for fun. I sat down under a tree where the snow wasn't as deep.
I gotta admit... I have never been able to sit still long enough to make a hunter out of... but I love being outdoors like that! I just stuck to backpacking! But that sure looks like a lot of fun!
here is what i can provide at the moment. Dark outside right now. what is not shown is the shakles. I have 18 rated shakles and an 18K and 12K ****** blocks plus straps.
I'm following this thread too. My 350 cclb is over 21' long, and anything 22' and over costs me a small fortune to get on the ferry to come home. When I put the camper on, I'm just a few inches over, and for the past 18 months, they have never charged me for being over. I really can't add any length, but I get into some sketchy terrain when I'm out hunting. I'm thinking the hitch might be my only option. I do like that warn bumper though, it may not be any fatter than my stock bumper.
As someone who has never had a winch, I'm curious. For the folks that have winches, do you always have a good anchor to grab...like a tree or another truck? What's the typical cable length? (I'm guessing the ballpark of 100 feet). Do the cables resist rust well?
In the OP's case on the narrow road, if there's no tree ahead and you're in the lead truck then what? Can you drive a post into the ground or have some portable anchor?
As someone who has never had a winch, I'm curious. For the folks that have winches, do you always have a good anchor to grab...like a tree or another truck? What's the typical cable length? (I'm guessing the ballpark of 100 feet). Do the cables resist rust well?
In the OP's case on the narrow road, if there's no tree ahead and you're in the lead truck then what? Can you drive a post into the ground or have some portable anchor?
Up in the mountains, finding a good tree normally isn't a problem, but if I were to have a problem out in the desert, then there are different anchor solutions that involve burying something or using an anchor. A danforth style boat anchor can be used by just allowing the tines to dig into the ground, or you can give it a head start by digging a hole for it to get the tines deeper.
