[Cdash]

Now I realize that this may seem like a silly question to some, but I always wonder, why there are practically no rear mounted winches.

I understand for certain areas, or certain challenge levels you always want to continue forward, but what about the weekend warrior that wants the winch for a piece of mind to get themselves out of a stickey situation? Take the case of someone that goes out exploring, mainly trail riding type stuff, but pushes things a little. I have often found that when you winch through stuff, there is a pretty good chance that things are going to continue to get worse. Back to the trail rider, trying to get through an obsticle, and gets stuck or hung up, it seems like going backwards is the best option. Can't do this with it bolted to the front. I have thought of the idea of a reciever mounted winch, but I just can't bring myself to mount a 8,000# (or larger) winch to a hitch rated for 3,500#, or on a replacement bumper that was designed for who knows what load.

I know there is no real answer for this, but interested in others comments on this. It really seems like a decent idea to me, and wondering what I am missing.

[TheGillz]

Presumably you would be wheeling with others, and if they too had a front mounted winch, then you would be more than capable of being winched out backwards.

[pianoguy]

Originally Posted by thegillz

Presumably you would be wheeling with others, and if they too had a front mounted winch, then you would be more than capable of being winched out backwards.

With a front winch you can run you cable uner the Jeep and pull you self out that way. I have done this a few times in my YJ. It sucks when your in deep water or mud (not fun at all).

[Demo-nut]

Originally Posted by pianoguy

With a front winch you can run you cable uner the Jeep and pull you self out that way. I have done this a few times in my YJ. It sucks when your in deep water or mud (not fun at all).

Did this ever mess up the rig at all. Like pulling it to one sideand hitting the tires or ripping up your muffler?

[SV650]

You could buy a receiver mounted winch, and use it either front or back. All manufacturers offer this capability on at least one unit.

SV

[foxtrot6]

Originally Posted by pianoguy

With a front winch you can run you cable uner the Jeep and pull you self out that way. I have done this a few times in my YJ. It sucks when your in deep water or mud (not fun at all).

You run your cable under your truck before you hit the slop, just in case.

[donkie]

You can always get a cradle mounted winch that would fit in to your rear hitch...some bumpers for full size trucks have provisions for a rear winch, but it usually complicates the design in relation to a rear hitch on smaller rigs. I can't remember one time I ever wanted to go backwards...

[Prot]

This is not France! We go onward and forward!

[pdxbubba]

I have seen some people put their winch on a hitch-mount and added a receiver to the front so they could keep it in the garage when not off-roading and can swap it from the front to the rear depending on their need.
Many people if they do buy a winch it is only one... I have yet to see someone with two winches... outside an autoshow.

[BYuen]

Cradle mounted winches also hamper your approach angles more than a bumper mounted one. Just another (expensive) unit to bash on the rocks.

[JDBerry]

Originally Posted by pianoguy

With a front winch you can run you cable uner the Jeep and pull you self out that way. I have done this a few times in my YJ. It sucks when your in deep water or mud (not fun at all).

[pdxbubba]

Originally Posted by BYuen

Cradle mounted winches also hamper your approach angles more than a bumper mounted one. Just another (expensive) unit to bash on the rocks.

That's if you leave it hanging out front when you're wheeling. You can always keep it strapped behind the rear seat of in the bed until you need to use it.

[mountravlr]

The cradle mounted Warn M8000 saved me several times, mounted on the receiver hitches, front and back. It easily stores inside the truck bed or in back of the Rubicon when not in use.

[NaeKid]

I have a 9500# winch on the front of my YJ, and I am considering a rear-mounted 6000# as well. In my minds-eye, I am thinking of building a new rear bumper incorporating a cradle for the winch. In the greater scheme of things, I would end up running a triple-battery setup - one for starting, one for the front winch, one for the rear-winch.

For your average weekend-warrior, that would end up costing something in the range of $2500, more than what they would want as "insurance" in case of a stuck when a $50 hi-lift with chains might be more than enough. A friend with a winch is the other level of insurance that most wheelers go with, it also makes things more fun

[ErniBigb]

Somewhat along the same line as this topic I mounted a winch on the rear of my ATV. I use mine on the farm and felt it would be more useful and just wanted to prove to myself I could do it. It has been useful on trail rides also since I usually have the strongest winch of anyone in the group.