Vector Winch Discussion

[Philberto]

Yeah, I've held onto that idea for quite some time. I'm not sure why you see it as such a pipe dream though. Cut out the secret compartment, increase the depth and support between the frame rails wire a stepper motor to the clutch or find an electric one, a maximum of 4 snatch blocks, fairleads for both front and rear, and steel winch cable, and I should be good to go. I'm planning on running the cable alongside the rails as opposed to through them, which should simplify things somewhat, though I may and up looking into the EMT through rail idea. All told, it shouldn't be that hard, even for a fabricationally challenged person such as myself, and it'll certainly be unique and definitely a first.

[chevycrew]

I just don't see the reasoning? Also how will you get the cable to spool properly on the winch?

Maybe time to split this topic from this thread.

[Philberto]

Thanks for the suggestion, Kyle. Here are my reasons for wanting to try this setup, even if it eventually doesn't pan out:

1) Winch weight is distributed over the rear axle, which is much less affected by the load than the front
2) Front approach angle is not affected, since there is no winch overhang or sagging.
3) Winch is better protected from weather conditions and/or collision damage
4) Winch can be used from front or rear of vehicle without moving winch (useful because I travel solo a LOT)
5) Additional rigging is made possible, such as driving along the winch cable (using a snatchblock on front winch and hooking up both front and rear winch lines), as well as rotating the vehicle in place if necessary, that would be impossible without the use of 2 winches.

As far as the spooling issue goes, I have been led to understand that proper line alignment becomes less of an issue the further away the fairlead is from the line. As I will have anywhere from 2-3 feet of distance between the winch and the rear snatchblock/fairlead, I should have few issues, and will simply need to hold tension on the line.

[DirtyBacon04]

I think points 2,3, and 4 are a effort over reward factor. having a 2" reciever mount almost covers those 3 points. Whenever I get one, i dont plan on installing it until I need it (unless cargo space is limited). That decision allows me to choose whether I need it in front or back with equal effort. Also keeping it in the vehicle obviously keeps it out of the elements.
Those 3 can be overcome with more labor, but much less cost. and it's a great way to stay in shape

[djthumper]

I think getting it all set-up and operating properly will be a PITA. There is going be a lot of added cost.

[DirtyBacon04]

We love you Phil... i guess trying to be the Devil's Advocate over here.
The ultimate deceision, as always, lies in the particular needs of the vehicle/driver team. For example, it seems like a great idea, but for Team DirtyBacon, I'm too lazy and poor and my baby has other mods much higher on the priority list... Like a hitch mounted toilet seat.

[djthumper]

hehehe that is what your e-tool is for

[Philberto]

I think points 2,3, and 4 are a effort over reward factor. having a 2" reciever mount almost covers those 3 points. Whenever I get one, i dont plan on installing it until I need it (unless cargo space is limited). That decision allows me to choose whether I need it in front or back with equal effort. Also keeping it in the vehicle obviously keeps it out of the elements.
Those 3 can be overcome with more labor, but much less cost. and it's a great way to stay in shape

I love playing devil's advocate on things, so I really do appreciate this. My thoughts on the receiver mount are this:

When I am out adventuring, I don't want to spend a lot of time getting stuck. I also don't like having to unpack things on the trail, as many things invariably end up getting lost. Also, as a lot of my driving is to places that I end up hiking from, and one of my favorite places to go is around 9000 or more feet elevation, I would really rather not lug around these things. That, and I'm lazy on the front of moving things around and mounting onto my vehicle. I'd rather do it once - when I'm installing it - and let it be.

Having one more thing integrated into the vehicle in the way I am planning also means one less thing that people can rip off if/when I transport the vehicle to other locales. While I'm not sure if this is the vehicle to do it, I still plan on overland expeditions in South America, and the logistics of that, along with other trip reports I've read, leave most vehicles wide open to having their contents pilfered if they are easily accessible.

[janesy86]

How easy is it going to be to switch between having the cable go to the front or rear? Just not sure if I can picture it well or the ease of it.

What happens tho when your say in mud (even tho you guys don't have much out there in Cali) and your only winching spot in in front of you? Your going to have to get out of the truck and try to get the cable fished up to the front of the truck, while laying/climbing in mud?

To me it seems like way more effort/money is going to be involved in not only initial setup but also every time you need to use the thing... Seems like it would be way more efficient to just get two winches (front and rear) and be done.

Either way, I'd like to see how you tackle this, if you go thru with it. Would be cool to see...

[bartonmd]

How easy is it going to be to switch between having the cable go to the front or rear? Just not sure if I can picture it well or the ease of it.

What happens tho when your say in mud (even tho you guys don't have much out there in Cali) and your only winching spot in in front of you? Your going to have to get out of the truck and try to get the cable fished up to the front of the truck, while laying/climbing in mud?

To me it seems like way more effort/money is going to be involved in not only initial setup but also every time you need to use the thing... Seems like it would be way more efficient to just get two winches (front and rear) and be done.

Either way, I'd like to see how you tackle this, if you go thru with it. Would be cool to see...

Actually, the fact that you can get an XRC8 for $260 means that he'll have more money in snatch blocks and hardware and stuff to get the winch coming out the front, than just buying another winch.

You make a good point, though, Nick... I was wondering how one would have 2 cables coming off the same winch, or 2 drums or something, and it dawned on me that maybe it's just 1 cable that you switch from front to back? You'll also want to invest in some SCUBA gear, to run the winch cable to the front, when you're door deep in water, and the only winch point is to the front.

I really do like the "behind the rear bumper" winch mounting, but my suggestion is to mount your rear winch there, and have your front winch mounted in the front...

Mike

[Trail X]

Here's a thread I followed a while back about this: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/t ... nch-thread

It really is a cool idea, and I would be more interested in it if I had deeper pockets. I'm just not sure it's worth the effort. Also, per Phil's #1, I'm not sure if it's that good of a thing to get the weight over the rear axle. When mine's fully loaded, I have a lot of extra weight on the rear axle. I'm glad to store the winch on the front, as it actually helps level the vehicle a bit (I guess I need to add air bags in the rear).

I think that controlling the winch clutch will be a real pain. If I did this system, I'd prefer getting something like a worm drive winch. Less heat when powering out, don't have to worry about a brake.

[steveroche]

I definitely like having a hard mounted winch in the front. For the times that I have been stuck, if I had to lug the winch out of the trunk and onto a receiver hitch, I probably would have been in trouble. I've been stuck on steep inclines where if I back up, I hit a tree. So no other path but up was an option, and I wouldn't have been able to get the winch to the front on the incline I was on...

[janesy86]

[quote="JamesDowning"]Here's a thread I followed a while back about this: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/t ... nch-thread
quote]

Ahh, now that clears it up. But still I'd think it would be just about the same price wise to get a winch F/R as it would be to set this all up. I mean now a days, you have many options for some $300 winches that have great ratings...