Portable Winch Options

[gavinwibrow]

There was a recent thread talking about portable electric winches. While trolling, I found this

Tigerz11 - DETACHABLE WINCH HITCH (http://tigerz11.com.au/products/DETACHABLE-WINCH-HITCH-RECEIVER-.html)

which made me think - if it could be mounted to a rear receiver/hitch for reversing out recoveries, then why not also onto a front receiver/hitch (suitably engineered of course) in lieu of having a fixed front mounted winch.

Immediate thoughts include airbag compatability (of fitting a front receiver) and suitable mounting strenths. It would probably also require dual front/rear wiring - or a heavy duty extension cord?

COMMENTS FROM THE MANY SAGES??
Looking forward to some lively discussion!

[Tank]

I'm not sure but maybe drivesafe could answer this, I think if you used a portable winch on the rear you would probably need a battery in the rear as well as the front. Running cables from the front to power your portable winch would lose some power and would require some heavy duty cable, which isn't cheap. A battery in rear wouldn't be much dearer, also hope your back is in good nick, winching never seems to happen on hard flat ground, lugging a winch on steep loose ground can do wonders for your back, Regards Frank.

[MR LR]

I agree with Frank, there's a reason comp trucks have winches mounted front and back... permanantely.

ARB used to (probably still do) market a portable hitch mount Warn winch, i saw an old article about it a while ago. AFAIK they just had a long set of leads that hooked up to the battery so you could locate it anywhere. But yeah there would be current drop, you'd want some FAT cable.

Cheers
Will

[uninformed]

or you could go Hyd and have quick disconects at each end ;)

[gavinwibrow]

I'm not sure but maybe drivesafe could answer this, I think if you used a portable winch on the rear you would probably need a battery in the rear as well as the front. Running cables from the front to power your portable winch would lose some power and would require some heavy duty cable, which isn't cheap. A battery in rear wouldn't be much dearer, also hope your back is in good nick, winching never seems to happen on hard flat ground, lugging a winch on steep loose ground can do wonders for your back, Regards Frank.
Good point Frank - I must admit, I had ass/u/me 'd there would be a rear battery setup, but it would still need some form of mobile cabling. In my case, where I'm more of a tourer, but with some off roading, I could then store the winch in its cradle inside wee beastie = less front overhang weight and better all weather protection.
Keep the comments coming!!

[gavinwibrow]

or you could go Hyd and have quick disconects at each end ;)
I like the thinking - what are Hyds?

[uninformed]

Hydraulics....

[gavinwibrow]

Hydraulics....
Too late for me - I've just bought electric - but should have done more research on and considered hyd before jumping in!!!

[uninformed]

dont fret, big dollars to do right. Im sure some good size copper would be cheaper

[Tank]

I just recently moved the solenoid box from the top of the winch to under the bonnet and good quality heavy duty (much thicker than standard, will post pic) cable and fittings @$18/m, 2xmetres each cable and $5ea for h/d lugs.
Cable $72 + $20 lugs + $10 for solder = $102, so to setup 2 cables from the front would be around $200 +switch $? + Plug $? (Anderson). A battery and case/box would be around that price with no power loss and no worries about where to run the cable and if under vehicle protecting it from getting snagged off road, something to think about, Regards Frank.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/06/352.jpg