(possibly stupid) Portable winch question

[MrX Member Find all posts View Profile Close MrX]

The ultimate goal is to get a winch bar in the Prado but right now I am being tight fisted with the funds so looking at intermediate solutions.

The special on winches in the other thread got me thinking about getting one and mounting it in a hitch receiver winch carrier. It's clear that you can use it on the back easily enough but from the front... could it (safely) be used like this: Attached to an anchor by inserting the ends of a tree trunk protector into the part which usually gets inserted into the hitch receiver, then securing with the locking pin. For power I have a portable battery box with a 130 AH 1000CCA battery which could connect directly to the unit. With no alternator running I guess it would flatten pretty quick but the math does tell me you would get a bit of winching done before that happened. For control, use the wireless remote. The unit would likely need supporting by strategic placement to prevent it from rolling over as it potentially lifted up when the line pulls tight.

Then when I do get the bar, the winch can just get relocated and mounted permanently up front.

Anyway... keen to know if I am smoking something or if this may be OK.

Thx

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

I think you have under-estimated the torque (turning power) generated by a 4 - 5,000kg rated winch. You couldn't get the tree trunk protector to be sufficiently rigid. Plus you will have the issue of finding precious cargo space to carry your "portable" winch as well as the battery pack. Save your pennies, travel with a mate in another vehicle to give you that self-extraction ability when needed. Get the proper gear when you can afford it. Save yourself a ton of hassle.

[MrX Member Find all posts View Profile Close MrX]

Thanks for the reply... you make some nice points. I would have thought the line tension would keep everything in a pretty straight line, but never done this in reality so only guessing.

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Your battery will be flat in about 1-2 minutes not to mention the safety hazard you've created.

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

Tirfor (hand winch) until you can get the funds for a proper mounted winch. Pulls forwards, backwards, sideways upside down, every which way. It's a good workout, and such hard work you'll do everything possible not to get yourself into a situation where you have to use it

[Chris220220 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chris220220]

At 100amps draw the winch would kill a portable battery real quick and you would not rechange it easily. I don't know I'd want a winch and 130AHr battery loose in the boot as well as all the other recovery gear. I also pondered this but after seeing a winch at work the best place for it is the winch cradle on the car. I have a tuffa but have not used it on the car yet.

[MrX Member Find all posts View Profile Close MrX]

Thanks for the responses... Seems I am talked out of this plan... Too much faffing and the danger of transporting it inside the cabin.

[Heath74 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Heath74]

If you are considering a budget self extraction device, I'd go with max trax. They will do most do what a winch will.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Now you will learn how to drive carefully, properly recon your route, and minimize risk of getting bogged. Or you could just phone a friend.

[MrX Member Find all posts View Profile Close MrX]

I got some Max Trax... They got used in anger a week after I got them. Winch would have been a PITA there as there wasn't anywhere to winch off. Muddy spring on the base of Lake Eucumbene. Pretty happy with them.

Avoidance certainly has its advantages too

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

Forget maxtraxx, get a handwinch. $400 is enough for a brand newy, or get a second hand one which was probably only used once. I've used mine twice, the second time was immediately following maxtraxxs (which were useless in that muddy scenario).

There's plenty traction solutions in the bush which can replace a Maxtraxx, but when you're in real trouble, nothing will be as helpful as a winch (or a second vehicle, lol).