What's the draw back of mounting your winch on a hitch receiver plate? Then it can be moved front to rear.

 

Not protected.

 

??? What do you mean.

 

If you hit anything with a winch sticking out, the winch will be damaged.

Most winch bumpers cradle the winch, and protect it for when you run into things.

Notice I said WHEN you run into things, if you offroad much you will run over something. That is why good bumpers cost so much and you have so many options.


"why not just keep it in the jeep and put it on when you need it"

What happens when you wedge the jeep in somewhere and can not get the winch into the reciever.

 

Good point about not being able to get it on when you need it. My wife was trying to get me to go through a mud hole today and I told her no because there wasn't a wench around to get me out. If it were in the Jeep getting it on may have been a real drag too.

Well scratch the hitch mount wench.

Thanks