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

Here's my setup: http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...4/Winch004.jpg
http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/...4/Winch003.jpg

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

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Originally Posted by bigdog72

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

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I've never had a winch before so don't have anything to compare it to. Seems to be real strong, though. I pulled a 2000 Buick LeSabre with four flat tires that had been sitting for a year and buried several inches. Couldn't get the tilt bed even with the ground and it still pulled that car up on it like nothing.

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.

joef1812, You have to remember that he's using a couple of different trailers, that's why he's looking at a truck mounted one.
How about a mount that you can pin and unpin like they do a plow?? The only drawback is getting electric to it, maybe borrow the trailer plug-in during winch time.

My wench prefers to sit in the passenger seat. How do you guys talk yours into riding in the bed? That would be sooo much better cuz then I could set the AC, and the radio station & volume how I want it, not how she wants it.



;)

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.

http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/...pscd04e9aa.jpg

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]http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/...8-06020856.jpg[/IMG]

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

http://i1274.photobucket.com/albums/...psd6825edc.jpg

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

Soooooo disapointed... :( I thought the title said trying to mount a "wench"... ;(

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

Just watch when your putting the strain to it that the bed rails don't try to spread.

yeah I have some concerns about it but we'll wait and see how it works

You might make a bar to drop into the two stake pockets before you start pulling something heavy. Might help keep the sides from spreading. Just something steel that you can drop in and remove when your done.

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Originally Posted by bigdog72

http://i1274.photobucket.com/albums/...psd6825edc.jpg

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

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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

forgot to update yesturday, it didn't really pan out how I thought. it started to bend the rails if it something heavy it could have been bad but I got the car loaded eventually. luckily for me its a work truck and I don't really care what happens to the bed since when I got it, it was all dented up
i

Call the wreckers get a.hitch.cut off, weld it on your tounge, make sure u raise it up so the winch line is an inch above the deck or so

While working at a restoration shop a few years ago, we had a pretty cool winch setup on the company truck. It was a late 80's or early 90's F350 4x4, and even being stock, set fairly high. The shop owner had mounted his winch up under the bed between the rear frame rails. I don't remember exactly how he had it mounted, but the cool part was that it was lined up right behind the license plate on his step bumper. After cutting some hidden access holes, he then had the license plate mounted on an old style spring loaded hinge mount.
It worked out good as we could use any of the car haulers, but the winch was always with the truck. Also, being completely hidden behind the bumper and license plate, meant little chance of it being stolen.

diamond, that sounds like an awesome Idea, my guess is it was attached to the frame then? I think on my truck it would be to low.
cummins I would but it's not my trailer haha I might be able to do some kind of deck mount but I'd have to check with my buddy

Heres how tater rocks his winch
http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/...ps67bc42a0.jpg

http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7cd235c4.jpg

A semi battery chills in the battery box, bought for scrap price of course.
http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/...psb0f21a1d.jpg

Quick connect that runs up to the battery
http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1607ba39.jpg

Constant duty solenoid so the 2 ga cable running to the quick connect isn't "hot" all the time. Also shut it down while winching, just run off the semi battery, as winches draw stupid high amounts of juice and given enough time usually fry batteries and alternators, ask me how I know this!
And why go to all this trouble ? Heres why !
http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/...ps91165bde.jpg

http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/...psf8ed363c.jpg

http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6519690d.jpg

http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5b2d80ad.jpg

Not a tire one on that car and my hf winch hardly even bogged down! And this is why I won't use the receiver hitch mounted winch plate, not sturdy enough for the stuff I do!

very nice, so does the winch run just off the semi battery then? or do you keep the truck running when you winch

Just off the semi battery when winching, usually fully charged semi battery will winch half dozen cars, provided tires on still on them, with juice left to spare. I let the battery charge off the pickup while going down the highway for an hour or so and it's usually good to go. Semi batteries aren't very expensive new either, I can get a new continental for a lil over a bill.

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Originally Posted by bigdog72

forgot to update yesturday, it didn't really pan out how I thought. it started to bend the rails if it something heavy it could have been bad but I got the car loaded eventually. luckily for me its a work truck and I don't really care what happens to the bed since when I got it, it was all dented up
i

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If you don't care what happens to the bed, you could get 2 - 6' lengths of sturdy steel square tubing or even thick angle. Lay them in the bed and drill through and mount them to the rails under the bed with long threaded bolts (at least 3-4 per side to avoid sheer). Then mount your winch on a steel plate, which then mounts to the steel brackets. Not sure how the frame is set up on your truck if this would work. If it does, you can easily take it out of the bed and the brackets would be able to be removed fairly easily too. This would also raise it up off the truck bed a few inches so the cable wont drag. Or you could leave the brackets in the bed and when you want the truck for hauling just put a piece of plywood down for a flat surface.

Either that or find a mounting plate for a 5th wheel and modify it to fit a winch.

tater my dad drives truck for a living so we have a couple of those batteries around haha

shendog, I'll have to look into that idea

We do alot of removals for farmers, I dragged a f150 with just axels a foot in the mud rhe other day I had no problem, I think I might of cooked my winch battery, but no twisting or anything, just have to make sure when over 5k your winching staight,

I came across this video, this is how we delt with our winch on our last trailer and its what i will be doing on my new trailer, just welding the receiver on the tongue

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb-h5...v2aav75iq4snfl

I think I watched that one, and I wouldn't have an issue if it was my trailer haha it would be mounted and pulling cars but its not that easy, my main goal is something to be used on multiply trailers with little to no swapping

mounting brackets for a 5th wheel: PullRite Super5th 16K & 20.5K SuperBracket for Ford 1999 - 2013: F250 & F350 - PullRite Super5th & SuperGlide Mounting Kits - 5th Wheel Hitch - Hitches - Towing & Automotive

you would have to rig your winch to fit, but that shouldn't be a big deal with some plate steel and angle

thanks for the link, it's got me thinking again haha