"Semi Permanent" winch

[Tdub0527]

I have a weird question that I hope I don't get roasted for...Does anyone keep their winch on for a set amount of time and then take it off when it isn't needed? I'm interested in winch but for a primary use other than off-roading. I would use it to help me remove docks/boat lifts out of the lake at the end of the summer. I'd probably install it at the beginning of summer and have it available for wheeling but the main reason for purchasing would be dock/lift removal.

I live in Minnesota and the road grime in the winter would only degrade it faster than I'd like and it's unnecessary weight. Am I crazy to think an annual winch instal and removal wouldn't be a big deal? Tell me what I'm not considering!

Thanks!

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[mjcutri]

I have a weird question that I hope I don't get roasted for...Does anyone keep their winch on for a set amount of time and then take it off when it isn't needed? I'm interested in winch but for a primary use other than off-roading. I would use it to help me remove docks/boat lifts out of the lake at the end of the summer. I'd probably install it at the beginning of summer and have it available for wheeling but the main reason for purchasing would be dock/lift removal.

I live in Minnesota and the road grime in the winter would only degrade it faster than I'd like and it's unnecessary weight. Am I crazy to think an annual winch instal and removal wouldn't be a big deal? Tell me what I'm not considering!

Thanks!

I had one fabricated with a vertical 2” receiver to hold my winch. Bolts on to the steel bumper recovery points.

 

[vrtical]

you could just use a trailer hitch carrier for the rear and I forget but someone made a bolt in front one maybe RC?

 

[Tdub0527]

you could just use a trailer hitch carrier for the rear and I forget but someone made a bolt in front one maybe RC?

I had no idea you could get a hitch carrier for a winch! Did some googling and this might fit my exact use case. Really nice option! Thanks for the heads up!

 

[Chrome_Pony]

I have a multi-mount Superwinch Tigershark 9500S on my LWN Colorado, but generally for most use cases, the weight of a Bronco-capable winch and receiver mount isn't that fun to sling around, and it's often easier to set it and forget it. This is about 75-80 pounds which isn't awful to move around, but leaning over high lifts (like putting in/removing from a truck bed or Bronco cargo space) are not exactly fun.

Now, if you're using an ATV/UTV winch to move small boats/dock sections and not self-recovery, that's a bit of a different animal. Those are much lighter and way simpler to move, but the wiring is slightly more challenging because it isn't self contained like truck recovery winches. I customized a Superwinch Terra45S with 10,000lb 1/4" Masterpull rope, custom solenoid box (before you could buy them off Amazon) and a Curt receiver mount for a fullsize winch. It's about 50 pounds or so and way easier to move around.

I have a Warn EVO8S on the Bronco and it's a fixed install rather than lug it around and heave it in the back of the Bronco.

 

[vrtical]

I had no idea you could get a hitch carrier for a winch! Did some googling and this might fit my exact use case. Really nice option! Thanks for the heads up!

just be careful with the rear bronco hitch as its not tied to the frame rails. I think like stated I would rather go to a ATV level winch then use a snatch pulley to double the ability.

 

[Pharmdude]

I have a weird question that I hope I don't get roasted for...Does anyone keep their winch on for a set amount of time and then take it off when it isn't needed? I'm interested in winch but for a primary use other than off-roading. I would use it to help me remove docks/boat lifts out of the lake at the end of the summer. I'd probably install it at the beginning of summer and have it available for wheeling but the main reason for purchasing would be dock/lift removal.

I live in Minnesota and the road grime in the winter would only degrade it faster than I'd like and it's unnecessary weight. Am I crazy to think an annual winch instal and removal wouldn't be a big deal? Tell me what I'm not considering!

Thanks!

I'm using the rough country high winch mount. Anderson plug connector to basically make my winch removable. Cut off the head of a couple long bolts to support the winch as I position it on. Still working out the kinks with the writing but I like it so far.

 

[Braptor23_CO]

I have a weird question that I hope I don't get roasted for...Does anyone keep their winch on for a set amount of time and then take it off when it isn't needed? I'm interested in winch but for a primary use other than off-roading. I would use it to help me remove docks/boat lifts out of the lake at the end of the summer. I'd probably install it at the beginning of summer and have it available for wheeling but the main reason for purchasing would be dock/lift removal.

I live in Minnesota and the road grime in the winter would only degrade it faster than I'd like and it's unnecessary weight. Am I crazy to think an annual winch instal and removal wouldn't be a big deal? Tell me what I'm not considering!

Thanks!

I do easy on easy off with the JCR winch plate. 6 bolts on each side. An impact wrench makes it easy. I swap out stock recovery hooks with the JCR ones and bolt the winch plate on. I keep the winch permanently mounted to the JCR plate.
I installed a Wern quick disconnect plug.

 

[Va6gBronco]

JCR setup on my rig. Used 1/0 welding lead for power cable with 500 amp solenoid (aux switch) and 250 amp circuit breaker.

 

[X-Rack]

you could just use a trailer hitch carrier for the rear and I forget but someone made a bolt in front one maybe RC?

We make a hitch mount that bolts to some high mount winch plates. https://www.xrack.us/product/2021-2023-ford-bronco-front-receiver-hitch-high-mount-winch-plate/

 

[cbrenthus]

I had no idea you could get a hitch carrier for a winch! Did some googling and this might fit my exact use case. Really nice option! Thanks for the heads up!

Do not use it on the Bronco's rear receiver. It is only rated for 3500 lbs, you'll easily more than double that trying to pull the Bronco back out of the mud

 

[CalvinT]

Do not use it on the Bronco's rear receiver. It is only rated for 3500 lbs, you'll easily more than double that trying to pull the Bronco back out of the mud

That rating for safely towing a trailer at highway speeds. That's not a failure rating. It's a stability rating. There's a substantial safety margin. According to Ford my Badlands is only rated for 3,340 pounds. Same receiver.

The 3500 pound rating is according to the SAE 2807 standard. It takes in account suspension, cooling capacity on Arizona State Route 68 (David Dam grade), braking, launch and acceleration performance on a 12% grade, parking brake hold on grade, stability and more.

People have also expressed concern about the hitch pin shearing. The Brono uses a 5/8 diameter hitch pin. The same diameter hitch pin is used for a Class V hitch which is rated for up to 17,000 pounds. So the hitch pin isn't a concern.

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