PORTABLE 8,000 lb. WINCH Harbor Freight

JEFFP · 12-22-2004, 09:18 PM

Hello All,

I been doing some research on winches and need a portable 8,000 lb. winch that I can transfer from vehicle to vehicle.
Problem is that finding such a winch is darn near impossible as one does not seem to exist.
So As I was searching I ran across something that could easily be made with the Harbor Freight 8,000 lb winch(or should be). Just a little metal and some welding should do.

Yeah, I know, some think this winch is junk and others give it absolute praise BUT what better use could it be put to than a portable winch?? BACKWARD,FORWARD and SIDEWAY pulling capacity!!

Check this site out and let me know what you all think:

http://www.brawn4x4.com.au/port_a_winch.htm

CanukYJ · 12-22-2004, 10:14 PM

Honestly? The receiver hitch idea works, I've seen it. Winch from front or back. but that "idea" with the straps is completely stupid. It's unsafe, it would require long electrical cables (which will RIP out of the connections when those straps finally go out, possibly taking peices of your electrical system with them), the winch would have to be place in the MUD when hooking it up, with the electrical cables in said mud or water. A winch weighs -alot- it's not a 20lbs item, it weighs alot, and seems to me it would be a PITA the carry it out, hook up the electrical, lay it on the ground and hope it pulls right. They make snatch blocks for a reason. Not to mention the fact that this genious idea seems to only be a cage for the winch to sit in, longer electrica cables, and a strap...and it costs almost 600$! Waste of money in my mind, but that's just what I think.

n3vqh · 12-22-2004, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanukYJ

...and it costs almost 600$! Waste of money in my mind, but that's just what I think.

Wow for 600 you could almost get a nice ARB Bumber for the front and then mount a winch on it...

Forget the portable I agree I wouldn't want to fuss with it in the mud and if your in a TIGHT situation on some rocks its not gonna be as easy

buy to Harbor Frieght winches and mounting plates ... One for each Jeep

Mike

JEFFP · 12-23-2004, 07:24 AM

I guess I am going to agree with both of you on something and that is the price. I would not give $600.00 for that particular winch when I could buy a Warn for said money.

BUT, I often have need for a winch that can pull in all the directions mentioned, backwards , forwards, sideways, whatever ways.
If one should buy the Harbor freight winch and build a mounting plate such as the one on the website, which would cost very little, he would have a portable 8,000 lb. winch.
I use 2 pickups for work and have need of such. I don't get stuck often, but when I do , LOOK OUT. It is usually frame deep in mud.
I don't let mud scare me, God only knows I'm in it all the time. I work on gas and oil wells and have to drive through fields and in woods. I have used shovels and boards and often the goodheartedness of an old farmer with a tractor, who have saved me alot of work. I also used a team of horses once. (Talk about power,,YIKES!). He dragged me out before I ever got my truck out of gear! In PARK!

But I saw this idea and it looked to fit the bill for me.

Does anyone know of a portable winch this strong?

Also, the one company I work for wants to buy a Jeep of some sort to use for those specific purposes of going deep off road.
What is the recommendation?

One other thing...Has anyone of you ever been stuck in a "pipe ditch"? Let me tell you that THAT is a challenge. The vehicle almost has to be LIFTED out. If you pull forward or backward it just goes in deeper. Talk about a mess!

Thanks !

pushead · 12-23-2004, 08:24 AM

Kick the HF winch to the curb. I just bought a Ramsey Rep 8.5e for 399.95 new delivered to my door. Pay the extra 100 bucks and get the limited life time warranty vs 1 year. And get a better winch.

n3vqh · 12-23-2004, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEFFP

I guess I am going to agree with both of you on something and that is the price. I would not give $600.00 for that particular winch when I could buy a Warn for said money.

600.00 doesn't even cover the winch!!!!!
Says winch required!!

if you look thats only the mount thingee

Mike

skylinerider · 12-23-2004, 10:58 AM

That is just unsafe. Nothing like having a winch flying around in the mud. As for pulling in multiple directions, well that is what snatch blocks (and your roller fairlead) are for.

JEFFP · 12-23-2004, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pushead

Kick the HF winch to the curb. I just bought a Ramsey Rep 8.5e for 399.95 new delivered to my door. Pay the extra 100 bucks and get the limited life time warranty vs 1 year. And get a better winch.

Where did you buy the Ramsey? That IS a good price.

JEFFP · 12-23-2004, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n3vqh

600.00 doesn't even cover the winch!!!!!
Says winch required!!

if you look thats only the mount thingee

Mike

I hear ya. Definately not worth the money.

pushead · 12-23-2004, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEFFP

Where did you buy the Ramsey? That IS a good price.

http://www.samsoffroad.com/samsoffroadsto/Ramsey.htm

there you go. happy winching.

JEFFP · 12-23-2004, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pushead

http://www.samsoffroad.com/samsoffroadsto/Ramsey.htm

there you go. happy winching.

Thanks ! You know what? That Ramsey looks to be a much better winch for the extra money.

That is delivered as well.

I have the site marked .

12-22-2004, 10:14 PM	#2
CanukYJ Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 2,335 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Honestly? The receiver hitch idea works, I've seen it. Winch from front or back. but that "idea" with the straps is completely stupid. It's unsafe, it would require long electrical cables (which will RIP out of the connections when those straps finally go out, possibly taking peices of your electrical system with them), the winch would have to be place in the MUD when hooking it up, with the electrical cables in said mud or water. A winch weighs -alot- it's not a 20lbs item, it weighs alot, and seems to me it would be a PITA the carry it out, hook up the electrical, lay it on the ground and hope it pulls right. They make snatch blocks for a reason. Not to mention the fact that this genious idea seems to only be a cage for the winch to sit in, longer electrica cables, and a strap...and it costs almost 600$! Waste of money in my mind, but that's just what I think. __________________ My jeep has only ever killed 3 things, a cat, a deer, and my wallet. What's the problem officer? 1992 Red YJ. Lifted, locked, and loaded with beer (Disclaimer: This doesn't mean said driver endorses drinking and driving, please enjoy alcohol responsibly and do not operate any vehicle of any kind, thank you....) Thanks to the price of gas here ($4.25 a gal) I just bought a mountain bike, 0" of lift, 0" of travel, MT's, locked rear axle, oh yeah, it's the sh#$.

12-23-2004, 08:24 AM	#5
pushead Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: FL Posts: 1,219 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Kick the HF winch to the curb. I just bought a Ramsey Rep 8.5e for 399.95 new delivered to my door. Pay the extra 100 bucks and get the limited life time warranty vs 1 year. And get a better winch. __________________ Its not a jeep if it dont have 4wd.

12-23-2004, 10:58 AM	#7
skylinerider Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Utah Posts: 362 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	That is just unsafe. Nothing like having a winch flying around in the mud. As for pulling in multiple directions, well that is what snatch blocks (and your roller fairlead) are for. __________________ skylinerider™ SKYLINERIDER.NET If you can't taste the sarcasm try licking the screen.

12-23-2004, 07:24 AM	#4
JEFFP Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 36 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I guess I am going to agree with both of you on something and that is the price. I would not give $600.00 for that particular winch when I could buy a Warn for said money. BUT, I often have need for a winch that can pull in all the directions mentioned, backwards , forwards, sideways, whatever ways. If one should buy the Harbor freight winch and build a mounting plate such as the one on the website, which would cost very little, he would have a portable 8,000 lb. winch. I use 2 pickups for work and have need of such. I don't get stuck often, but when I do , LOOK OUT. It is usually frame deep in mud. I don't let mud scare me, God only knows I'm in it all the time. I work on gas and oil wells and have to drive through fields and in woods. I have used shovels and boards and often the goodheartedness of an old farmer with a tractor, who have saved me alot of work. I also used a team of horses once. (Talk about power,,YIKES!). He dragged me out before I ever got my truck out of gear! In PARK! But I saw this idea and it looked to fit the bill for me. Does anyone know of a portable winch this strong? Also, the one company I work for wants to buy a Jeep of some sort to use for those specific purposes of going deep off road. What is the recommendation? One other thing...Has anyone of you ever been stuck in a "pipe ditch"? Let me tell you that THAT is a challenge. The vehicle almost has to be LIFTED out. If you pull forward or backward it just goes in deeper. Talk about a mess! Thanks !