trying to mount a winch

so a while back I picked up a winch and I really want to get it mounted and start using it. now I know there are a hundred ways to do this so let me tell you my situation. I want to mount it to my truck to use for pulling stuff onto my trailer. why? well I borrow my friends trailer for cars since I dont have a big enough one yet and I can't add something permanent to his trailer. my first thought was something along the lines of a double receiver with the winch on a standard hitch mount, the problem I saw was it will be hitting the jack stand since it doesn't move, I also didn't know if it would drag on the trailer because of the angle. so now I'm thinking of a bed mount, something like a piece of angle across the bed then the winch on a plate mounted to the angle. I didn't know if just the angle would be enough or if I would need extra support. I thought I would employ the great minds of the forum since most of the time you guys think in a way I never would have. the goal is to have something that will get the job done but be able to be removed for when not in use. thanks all for your help

I would use a receiver mount on the trailer I used a notched piece of angle to mount around the jack I will take pictures when I am home tonight the cable may rub the back of the trailer slightly but have never had it cause problems

joe thanks pictures would be great and mick we have the same winch! how do you like it?

Assuming the trailer has an upright structure to mount a winch, I would weld the winch to a 1/4 in to 3/8 in. plate big enough to span several supports. Most supports I have seen are 1/4 in. angle iron or channel so I would lean towards this thickness. Next I would bolt it to another plate on the back side of the structures. When you have your own trailer, unbolt it and weld it to the new trailer or just bolt it. Make sure the bolts are rated for more than the pulling capacity of the winch. Industrial bolts have three lines on the bolt head.

still not home but will get those pictures I have one winch and I move it between trailers and have it in front or back of my trucks as I need it I have also had it chained to trees hooked to a charged up battery when I needed it somewhere I couldn't drive

best way is to cut a hitch off a truck at the wreckers and weld it on the tongue of your trailer, and weld 2x2 or what ever the reciver size onto the botton of the winch plate is so you can take it on and off like you would a ball or pintal hitch on your trailer or car. plus you can use your winch on your truck as well incase your buddie pulls off the side of the road to far when pulling over for a leak.

sorry the picture isnt the best but i think you can get the idea. i went back and re read the original post and this may not work since it isnt your trailer but just an idea

cummins thats a great idea I might do that in the future. once again my dad comes to the rescue and gives me a couple good ideas, I should have something done tomorrow so I'll post pics.
joe thats one of the ideas I had but it wont work with my buddies trailer, I do like the whole receiver concept and might try it at some point

this is another idea. this is what my buddy did on my current trailer when i wasn't there. then he welded a cheap bolt on receiver on the bottom of the winch plate. its backwards from what i asked him to do but it works. We did have to weld a few braces in because that piece its welded to was flexing, next vehicle we scrap with a class 3 hitch on it well do it the other way around. fix it.[IMG][/IMG]

thats what I will probably do once I get a trailer for cars

got it rigged up, not too sure how it will handle big pulls but theres one way to find out! now I can finally get my one car back on the trailer

Originally Posted by bigdog72

got it rigged up, not too sure how it will handle big pulls but theres one way to find out! now I can finally get my one car back on the trailer

Looks like a recipe for disaster to me, ...any serious pulling should be linked to the frame somehow.
Mind you, I've seen some smaller ATV size winches mounted at the front of the box to metal channels , ..ie backrack or home made varient.
but those were intended to pull things like larger roadkill into the box or smaller items that might weight <1000 lbs (guessing on the weight here)
Sheet metal will not hold up to the loads (cars, etc) you're intending, unless you really want to start shopping for a replacement box

let me know how that works out. all you need is a old mini van with 4 flat tires and a locked up trans. (just cause their heavy)

old dude sorry to disappoint, and cummins the first really test will be a 85 chevy c30 box van if we cant get it to start