Winches - Diesel Forum

Matt0987 · 11-18-2009, 01:09 AM

Any opinions

on winches for my Ex and F-350?
What about hydrolic units?
What about the ol' electrics?
Is one better than another? Why?
Is there one that can be hooked up to various vehicles at different times? For example a non-attached portable unit?
What about the ratings? 9000 #? 16000 #?
How does one determine which winch to use?
Do you need second battery? Will a winch drain a battery quicky and leave you stranded?
Do you need to keep the engine running so you don't?
Do you need a more powerful alternator than stock?

Richard T Rasmussen · 11-18-2009, 01:02 PM

I can't answer all of your questions but will try afew.I have a Warn 8000lb winch on my 77 f150-has worked great for all these years,if I was buying for a f350 I would go to a 12,000lb or higher.Electric will run down your battery fast under load,you should keep the engine running when under heavy load.The only hydrolic winch I have ever used was on a commerical truck and it was not worth a damn.Ramsey and Warn are the top of the list of brands to buy,there may be others but I am not familar with them.I have a Warn winch bumper on my 99 truck but no winch,The bumper mount allows the factory bumper to be used-it protects the frount of my truck.I hope this helps some,good luck with your choise.
Rich

Matt0987 · 11-18-2009, 05:48 PM

Thanks Rich

sduncan · 11-21-2009, 07:24 PM

Whatever you buy, it should be rated at 2.5 times the weight of the vehicle its mounted to. For a jeep for instance, most weigh in at 4k lbs or so. A 9000lb winch is a good choice in this case. For an SD truck, I'd look at no less than the new Warn Endurance 15k lb. electric. As for the electrical system, a good set of batteries such a the Sears Platinum G65 would be fine. All battery cables, connections, etc. should be checked and made sure to be in top working order.

I would avoid the hydralic style at all costs.

Matt0987 · 11-21-2009, 09:16 PM

Thanks Sduncan. I am glad to hear your thoughts. I had been wondering about the capacity rating of the winch.

Matt0987 · 11-21-2009, 09:20 PM

I had been wondering about the hydralic. In the construction industry I have seen what hydralics can do. So I was considering looking into a hydralic unit. I will look into the Ramsey and Warn.

CHILLLS · 11-22-2009, 02:49 PM

warn makes a nice mount that moves the stock bumper out 5" so you keep somewhat of the stock look & aerodynamics.
it also will accept the 16.5ti which is not much more than the 15k.
on the portable mount i would not put anything bigger than 8 to 9k lbs on
the receiver that you are putting it into was not really made to handle that kind of pulling.
just my 2cents worth
good luck with whatever you choose
& i does give you a boost of confidence when your out playing around

Matt0987 · 11-22-2009, 05:31 PM

chillls, thanks for the input

firedog533 · 11-22-2009, 10:17 PM

mile maker has sevral on the market that is ran from the power stearing pump it will pull the full load at idle and you can get a remote to go with them i have used one many times on fire runs and you cant beat them with a stick.
what good is a elc.wench if you are stuck you get unstuck and now have a dead batt. This is a very powerfull set up and it only takes about half of the space to mount it. the install kit has all the fittings and hoses to make a very prof. install.

just my two cents worth.

BlueMuleTrucking · 11-22-2009, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firedog533

mile maker has sevral on the market that is ran from the power stearing pump it will pull the full load at idle and you can get a remote to go with them i have used one many times on fire runs and you cant beat them with a stick.
what good is a elc.wench if you are stuck you get unstuck and now have a dead batt. This is a very powerfull set up and it only takes about half of the space to mount it. the install kit has all the fittings and hoses to make a very prof. install.

just my two cents worth.

I am pretty sure that is why it's mentioned above to leave the engine idling when using an electric winch.

firedog533 · 11-22-2009, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueMuleTrucking

I am pretty sure that is why it's mentioned above to leave the engine idling when using an electric winch.

Ok i did not see that but most elc.winchs pull about 365 amps when under a full load so it does not make a dif. I still prefer the mile maker other than stressing out my ecl.system like that.

sduncan · 11-23-2009, 05:18 PM

IF and this is a big IF....you go hydralic, be SURE that you consider an upgraded power steering pump, a larger cooler, and change the fluid about every other oil change or so if you use it regularly. I can almost guarantee that you will soon have PS pump issues....

If you want some good winch info, visit some of the jeep forums. Jeep Forum - Jeep Enthusiast Network or www.jeepsunlimited.com The rockcrawlers/extreme trail guys on these forums use their winches more than anybody. There are tons of reviews and opinions from users who ACTUALLY use the winches on some of the toughest trails in the country. You will find few, very few, who will recommend a hydralic over electric winch.