I am a 90% daily driver with fireroads being my primary off road adventures. I am trying to keep my weight down so am thinking of going with a portable winch set up, installing a front trailer receiver (already have a rear) and attach to the appropriate receiver when needed. The receiver hitches are attached to the frame, so should be just as strong as a winch plate. I know it's a little more hassle hooking it to the battery when needed, but would be nice to have the option of being able to put the winch on the front or rear when needed. So what are the Con's of doing this setup. Thanks

 

Main cons are having to carry the winch through the mud/water to get it hooked up. They're quite heavy. Suppose you could just put it on before you wheel rather than keep in the trunk.

However you have the pros of having front and back winching ability. When you're just getting stuck in mud holes, etc you can always come back out the way you came in. However it doesn't get you to the other side.

Also keep in mind that adding a front receiver will add weight. So you might not save as much as you think.

 

There are no cons to a portable wench. Not so sure about a portable winch, however.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

is there a wench that isn't portable?

 

Maybe they cover portable wenches here: https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/anyt...-unite-249741/

 

You know how to carry a portable wench?

 

LOL, I've seen a few wench's that were'nt that portable. Anyway so spelling is not my strong point.

 

Anytime I've wheeled with people who have them they tend to be a huge pain in the pass..

Cons
Takes extra time to setup
Need the clearance to setup
Easy to leave at room
Need to be secured in the jeep and takes up cargo space
Makes recovery a even more messy job
Makes it easy to steal if you leave it connected

Pros
Can be mounted front and back
Can be moved between jeeps
Less weight on the jeep (when winch is left at home)

If you go this way certainly get syncthetic rope to make the weight less.

 

Seems like it would be way more work than its worth to have it put away untill needed. Also seems like the winch would be very vulnerable to being whacked into trail obsctacles and what not if you were to drive around with it mounted front or rear.

 

Well, I think if it were me, there would eventually come a time where I left it at home and ran into a situation where I really could have made good use of it - especially with the winter driving season coming up. If you've got one, then might as well have it at the ready to use.

Then again, if I happen to get stuck in a snow filled ditch for any length of time... a wench sure would come in handy as well!