Bumpers: Welded Tab/Shackle vs. 2" Reciever

[MrSchaeferPants]

Soon I'll be fabbing my bumpers and sliders. Views on real world exp. would be helpful.

Don't know if I should weld on some tabs to put D-ring/shackles, or just have a 2" reciever type deal centered both front and rear. My reasoning is of course I could put a ball in the back when needed. Front and rear I could put a D-ring reciever in to hook to if needed, and I'm still trying to figure out my winch options for the future.

I like the idea when people mount a winch to a reciever, and can throw it up front or in the back depending on circumstance. Yeah that means wiring front and back, quick disconnects. More expensive in wire sure, but no big deal. But when I don't need it, it can be in the truck, out of sight out of mind, and I don't need such a big bumper.

I mean how often would I really benefit from that type of set up. Usually I'm out with people, so I could get hooked from someone else, front or back. But in the not so often case, I'm out somewhere by myself, or with a buddy or two who may not have a winch, and I would benefit from putting a winch in the rear because it could be the only way to hook to something.

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

Why I didn't think to use the words 'hitch winch' when I search I'll never know. Brain fart I guess. Lots of good write ups 'how to'. I can figure that out. Just wondering all said and done, is it really practical.

Does BlazerFarm still come on here? Saw his thread on building one, 2 years ago. Just wondering from guys who have one, after a year or two, was it worth while. Or does it almost never get used, or you end up just leaving it on front anyway..etc.

 

[Fordum]

Well, if you put on a "D" ring, then whenever you need something, you will have a "D" ring available, and that is all.

If you put in a receiver, then you can have inserts with a ball, pintal hook, winch, or even a "D" ring on the end............

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

If you put in a receiver, then you can have inserts with a ball, pintal hook, winch, or even a "D" ring on the end............

Ya, and that's a nice benefit, winch or not. Just trying to keep it simple, bumper/hitch all in one. I won't be doing any towing, or at least not real towing, so I want to keep whatever I come up with, higher off the ground.

 

[ktmoutfront]

I did D ring hangers under the front bumper when I did the hitch mount for the winch. So I have 3 points up front. The winch is always in the front.

When I built the rear bumper, I put 2 D rings and a hitch mount also. I bet I am about the only person to use the front hitch, front D ring and rear D ring at the same time to get my truck out.

I am glad I had them all.

 

[ryoken]

I am not a fan whatsoever of the idea of a removable winch cradle for multiple reasons.. but that's me..

either way, there's no reason not to have D-rings whatever the winch situation... that being said, I'm also not a fan of surface mounted D-ring's, whether your a certified welder or not...

imo, any setup that runs BEHIND the bumper in any fashion in addition to facial welding is vastly superior.. whether that's just a plate/angle welded to the backside and coming thru the bumper, or much better yet, attached to the frame and thru the bumper...

 

[Fordum]

I am not a fan whatsoever of the idea of a removable winch cradle for multiple reasons.. but that's me..

I'm not either, but then look at the size winch I run.......
You hitch mount that sucker, you better carry around some humongous guy to put it off and on.

I would never mount a serious pull rated winch.
6 to 8K would be my max.
If for no other reason than off angle pulls which would be prone to bend the tube.

My Cardiologist friend has MileMarker hydraulic winch on the front of his Toyota 4Runner, which has done him a good job.
But, lets face it, how badly can you get a 4Runner stuck?

He uses this as a semiDD, so he takes the winch off when going to fancier functions, like opera or formal dinners, then puts it on when he comes to the swamp.
He as done OK with it. I saw him replacing the mount this year at the camp because it was bent.
I asked what happened and he said he did not know. Since his son and sometimes his wife drives it, its likely he did not.

Otherwise I think the only problem he had was when he accidentally hooked the hoses up backwards, and sat in the car for a couple of minutes wondering why the winch was not pulling.
When he checked he had a pretty good bird's nest of cable on the spool from it spooling out backwards with no tension on it.

 

[ryoken]

the other aspect, in addition to the previous brought up, extra wiring/disconnects is if your in mud or something..... it's bad enough to have to wade into muck to unspool, etc.... fock having to slide a heavy arse cradle into a receiver, pin it, electric, yada...

 

[ktmoutfront]

I've pulled on mine pretty hard. But when I know I'm going to get stuck, I stop. So recovery is easier. Have never bent the hitch tube. I've done 90 degree pulls. But I always run a snatch block on the anchor point and the line back to the bumper D ring.

Parents used to own a heavy recovery company. Winching semis, cement trucks and cranes can teach you a lot.

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

the other aspect, in addition to the previous brought up, extra wiring/disconnects is if your in mud or something..... it's bad enough to have to wade into muck to unspool, etc.... fock having to slide a heavy arse cradle into a receiver, pin it, electric, yada...

I agree, though I'd think I'd have it on the front already before I go out. Reminds me of the other week when I got stuck, I was sinking into the mud just using a shovel, much less walking around with a winch in my hands.

I've pulled on mine pretty hard. But when I know I'm going to get stuck, I stop. So recovery is easier. Have never bent the hitch tube. I've done 90 degree pulls. But I always run a snatch block on the anchor point and the line back to the bumper D ring.

Parents used to own a heavy recovery company. Winching semis, cement trucks and cranes can teach you a lot.

Good call on using a snatch block, I didn't even think about that. Removable reciever or not, definitly think I should have more hook points upfront like ktmoutfront said.

And what Ryoken said, not just front welding tabs on. But they look so stout and beefy

Think I need to just burn my brain out on looking at tons of set ups.

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

Oh and that was the first time I've ever used the multi quote thing. So much easier I always just kinda ignored all those fancy buttons all over the place.

 

[ktmoutfront]

The whole reason mine is on the hitch mount is, it's a pre runner. When I as in the dessert, it was not needed. Did not mount it until I got to Colorado. With the truck set up for weight balance, the added weight of a winch and bumper to hold it permanently, would make the truck nose heavy. So I wanted it to be temporary. Don't need it DDing. Also came in handy when I went to build the tow rig.

If the winch was on the front permanantly, the truck would not fit on the semi. So when it's on the semi, the winch goes in the back. With fiber rope instead of cable, even my old back can switch it.

 

[84400]

Guy i wheel with has a 75 k 20 with a 85 crew body and chopped down bed. he welded a reciver hitch between his front rails and cut a hole in the licence plate frame. So he has a 8274 on a cradle. I have seen him do some heavy winching with no issues.

I run a Warn bumper and 8274 and it has worked fine for me. I actually bought a bolt on receiver for my front bumper. Works great for movin trailers around. I have seen guys mount receivers on the sides of there rigs so they could move the winch not only front or back but also side to side.
The more recovery locations the easier the recovery is. Just make sure you got things burnned in good or bolted well as a failed d ring mount could easily kill someone.

 

[ktmoutfront]

My winch will never be moved while im out wheeling. To much hassle and I always have another truck with me. Most times. Wife and I have started getting more adventure minded.

I don't even have power tithe back.

 

[Stomis]

Id rather run a good 8-12k winch up front and a cheapo HF 12k out back as a back up O **** winch. Which is actually what I will more than likely wind up doing with the trooper.

As far as recovery points go one point front and rear is not enough when you get in a precarious situation that really requires some difficult recovery.