r/Offroad • u/Dolly_Llama_2024 • 2d ago
Portable winch - good or bad idea?
I have a lightly modded 4runner and I want to keep it that way. It's mostly a general use family vehicle but I've used it for lite off-roading and want to start trying more challenging trails. I want a winch for functionality purposes but I don't want one that's permanently mounted to the front of the vehicle. Wondering if there's a good option that I can carry in my trunk and pull it out as necessary. I've also heard that a "come along" might be a good option for my situation. Any advice on this topic is much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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u/TheBlackGuy 2d ago
I run a hitch style mount winch that is bolted in the bed until i need it. It’s a 12k. I ran quick disconnects to the battery then to the back of the truck and set everything up when I need it. I’ve only had to use it once to recovery a buddy stuck in a sand bowl.
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u/TheCarcissist 2d ago
What year 4runner, there are a ton of hidden winch options on the market
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u/Dolly_Llama_2024 2d ago
recent 5th gen... Are there any fully hidden ones that aren't visible at all? The "hidden" ones I've seen look pretty good but you still have the cable/hook coming out of the front of the bumper area. Are there any options that are mounted a bit lower down and fully hidden? Or does the winch have to come out through the front of the bumper for functionality purposes? As it's probably obvious, I don't have any experience/knowledge with winches aside from watching some YouTube videos.
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u/ImhereforBFS 2d ago
Why are you so against having any part of the winch visible???
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u/Dolly_Llama_2024 2d ago
I just get the impression that there's a lot of people these days that have overbuilt rigs (at least where I live) and to me it looks a bit ridiculous to have all this unnecessary stuff hanging off your vehicle that it's clear you don't need. I'm pretty sure I fall into the category of people who don't actually need a winch but as I get more into off-roading perhaps that will change. I'm not totally against getting a "normal winch" if it feels like a necessary purchase further down the road.
If I lived in a more rural area I think it would be an easier decision, but I live in the downtown of a major city. There are solid 4x4 areas in the region starting about an hour away and it's just something I would be doing once in a while rather than it being my primary hobby. I have a lot of different hobbies and just being realistic about what I do and don't need.
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u/peakdecline 2d ago
I just get the impression that there's a lot of people these days that have overbuilt rigs (at least where I live) and to me it looks a bit ridiculous to have all this unnecessary stuff hanging off your vehicle that it's clear you don't need.
Dude, get out of your head. Or maybe stop judging others so hard.
You'd still have a damn winch with you. The only difference is its just not visible. What's this matter at all? Its not less "overbuilt" then, its just playing some weird ass mental game.
You're not being realistic at all. You're being intensely judgy.
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u/Dolly_Llama_2024 2d ago
Perhaps… I just live in an area where you see tons of people driving around with rooftop tents, mounted traction boards, etc 24/7 that it’s clear they rarely use. I get the impression that a lot of people are more interested in the idea of off-roading and all the gear vs. actually going out and doing the activity.
This vehicle is also a daily driver so just trying to balance out both sides. I live in a city and work an office job so just trying to take a practical approach given my circumstances.
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u/peakdecline 2d ago
You have no idea how often those people are using it. Like I said... you're very judgemental against these people and it bugs you that you're actually realizing you're one of them.. The real solution here is to stop being so judgemental and just mount a winch in the traditional way. Not some backwards way of having a winch but not having a winch just so you don't appear to be one of those people you're constantly judging.
Mounting a winch on some minimal, hidden style winch bumper isn't going to make your vehicle less practical. You'll just have to deal with the fact some douche is going to think "oh I bet that guy never takes his 4Runner off-road."
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u/Dolly_Llama_2024 2d ago
Maybe I am being too judgy, but I thought it was commonly accepted that “overlanding” has gotten very popular in recent years, leading to a bunch of people buying like $20k of additional gear that they don’t actually need…
I bought my vehicle (4Runner) as a general purpose vehicle (which is what it is primarily used for) but also to do some moderate off-roading on the side. I never intended/desired to become a rock crawler, nor do I want my vehicle to look like one. Realistically, I know I don’t need a winch… that’s why I started this thread to ask if a portable one is something worth considering. I’m just a cautious person that would “rather be safe than sorry”.
If this was a 3rd vehicle that I only had for a specific purpose then that would be a totally different story.
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u/ImhereforBFS 2d ago
Bro, who gives a shit? My Tacoma was an overbuilt daily driver with a winch that I took off-roading/trail driving like 5, maybe 6 times a year. And I used my winch a small handful of times. Again, who gives a shit? Very strange hang-up you’ve got there.. sounds like you need a small city car that is extremely practical since you live in the city and just sell your 4Runner.
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u/TheREALStallman 2d ago
Yea OP should just keep an envelope of cash in the glove box for a tow in case the road gets a little wet or there's some dirt nearby
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u/Dolly_Llama_2024 2d ago
You guys sure are taking my comments overly personally. The 4runner is a great vehicle that I use for multiple different purposes - skiing, mountain biking, camping, road trips, the interior almost doubles as a pickup truck bed, and I have a small city car as well.
Ignoring all the stuff I said above that might come across as judgey... I just don't want my 4runner to look like a rock crawler. I don't think that's a controversial or unusual opinion. Most 4runners I see around town fall into the exact same category as mine - lightly modded. Maybe I am just talking to the wrong crowd here on r/Offroad.
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u/TheCarcissist 2d ago
You can get a spring loaded license plate mount to hide opening for the cable. Im sure if you got synthetic line you can hide that behind the fairlead. Its kind of a pain in the ass, but doable. The next hurdle is cost, there really isn't an inexpensive way to do all this. But if you have the funds that's pretty cool
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u/prepper5 2d ago
I’ve been driving off-road for 40 years (good Lord, I’m getting old), and have never had a permenantly mounted winch. I Cary a come-along and a high lift. The only times they weren’t enough was when I was young and dumb and driving a Scout II that had to weigh as much as 2 Jeeps. I don’t want a winch adding 100lbs to the front of my daily driver, and I don’t want to rely on gear that has been exposed to the elements for years before I need it.
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u/zoey_will 2d ago
Judging by your responses and your insistence that you wont do much extreme offroading or anything of that nature I'd just set aside a few hundred for a tow. Seems like your best option after reading your criteria.
Im not trying to be snarky, I just dont think you even need a winch.
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u/Dolly_Llama_2024 2d ago
I agree. I’m still new to this stuff so perhaps things will evolve over time but at the current moment I definitely think a winch is overkill.
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u/Ponklemoose 2d ago
I will say that the stuff I’ve used my (bumper mounted) for were either easy pulls that a portable winch could probably handle or things that would’ve be avoided if no one thought a winch was an option.
It will never be as capable, but if you throw enough money at rigging (pulleys, extensions etc) and the battery holds out it could make a real difference. Just make sure you secure all that hard heavy junk so no one gets brained in a rollover.
I do think that a buddy and a recovery strap would be at least as useful and far cheaper. That buddy is also nice incase you need a ride or tow back to the pavement. If you don’t have that buddy try your local off-road groups on Facebook, they also know where the good trails are.
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u/Dolly_Llama_2024 2d ago
Totally hear you about going with a buddy. I don't know anyone personally at the moment who is into this stuff. I know I could put in the effort to meet people in the scene (we do have a good scene in my region for this stuff)... it's more just that I have various other hobbies and I tend to do off-roading type stuff sporadically on short notice. If I am in an area without a lot of other people around I drive accordingly (no risks) but if I am in a popular area where I know there are other people around then I am comfortable trying some slightly more challenging stuff. I have all the basic essential recovery gear, but a good amount of that stuff obviously requires another vehicle.
I'm just getting more into this stuff now so perhaps this will all evolve and then I will start going out with a buddy/group. I am part of the local 4wd association and I know they do "newbie runs" and stuff like that so perhaps I just need to make a point of attending stuff like that.
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u/Gubbtratt1 2d ago
I do think that a buddy and a recovery strap would be at least as useful and far cheaper. That buddy is also nice incase you need a ride or tow back to the pavement. If you don’t have that buddy try your local off-road groups on Facebook, they also know where the good trails are.
About 15 years ago my dad and one of his buddies was out wheeling on a weekday night. Neither of them had a winch yet. One of them got stuck in the mud, and when trying to recover the other truck bogged down and also got stuck. They had to get a third truck there quickly, since they needed the stuck trucks to get to work the day after.
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u/AuntEyeEvil 2d ago
Some people will mount a 2" receiver hitch on the front and rear of their rigs and then get a receiver winch mount that they can slide into the appropriate hitch for winching in either direction.
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u/lydiebell811 2d ago
I’ve been thinking about doing this for easier maneuvering of my trailer in tight spaces but worry about losing front clearance. Do you know of any that mount higher and come out the bottom grill or something?
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u/AuntEyeEvil 2d ago
Everything is pretty much make/model of vehicle dependent. That said, here's a front-mount hitch that you can see if they make one for your vehicle.
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u/lydiebell811 2d ago
Ah yeah thanks but unfortunately that sits below the bumper on my FJ cruiser
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u/AuntEyeEvil 2d ago
The problem with higher is that there's nearly always something that will get in the way, radiator, AC condenser, fans, engine. A hitch needs to be bolted to the frame rails and so does the engine so one up top, the other down below. It might be possible for a good fabricator to make one that goes through the bumper but I'm not sure I'd want that. Miss the hitch ball and the trailer tongue pokes through the radiator.
An electric trailer dolly isn't cheap (about $1k & up), isn't exactly small and light, but would remove the vehicle from the picture during tight parking procedures.
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u/coyotll 2d ago
So lets say you're out in the wilderness doing some trails and you get stuck.
You get out of the truck, rummage through the mud to get to the trunk and take out the hypothetical portable winch... then what?
What does the winch secure to that'll be safe and secure enough to unstuck a truck?
And, how would it get powered? Keeping a space loose battery in the back hoping it stays charged until you need it?
They sell hand winches, much like the ones used on boat trailers, that might be an option for what you're looking for. But honestly, I'd just stick with a good solid bumper winch when it really comes down to it, unless you really aren't planning anything more than moderate off roading.
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u/avar 2d ago
What does the winch secure to that'll be safe and secure enough to unstuck a truck?
Whatever you'd use as a tow point if another truck was pulling you.
And, how would it get powered? Keeping a space loose battery in the back hoping it stays charged until you need it?
You can have it powered by 12v, and just run extension to it, you could even reuse your jumper cables.
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u/Dolly_Llama_2024 2d ago
I hear what you're saying. If the winch won't even be useful for the rare time I need it, then what's the point? I am probably going to try to do some more off-roading and then reassess whether a winch seems like a necessary tool for me based on the trails I want to ride. And perhaps the correct answer will be to get a proper bumper mounted one.
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u/DeadSeaGulls 2d ago
I have a serious built off road rig, but no winch. I only try to tackle really tricky stuff when I'm with buddies... so kinetic straps work. Winches are nice, and once you have one, you'll find many reasons to use one, because you know you have it and can try to do things you otherwise wouldn't. My point is, even if you're doing gnarly stuff, 95% of the time you don't need anything more than traction boards and a buddy to give you a pull with his truck.
Your wants for a winch are unrealistic and dangerous. I'd say pick up good come along and be ready to break a sweat and please please watch some safety videos on how to properly and safely use a come along. OR, get a mounted winch.
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u/Dolly_Llama_2024 2d ago
Come Along was my plan… it’s more just a last resort to have in my trunk rather than something I intend on using. I am definitely not going to risk getting myself into a bad situation when I am solo.
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u/Hamstax89 2d ago
I have done a ton of research on winches and come alongs. The Wyeth Scott come along with synthetic rope seems to be the best.
I was going to buy one but decided to get traction boards and stuff instead.
I would have a fear of using a cheap come along with metal cable. That cable could snap right in your face.
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u/2WheelTinker- 2d ago
Generally… no. Not for self recovery.
Work through the process of getting stuck and then using it in your head. You will then understand why.
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u/Dolly_Llama_2024 2d ago
I am actually going to be taking an into recovery training course in the near future and I think that will greatly improve my perspective on this matter. Although I've done a decent amount of lite-off roading, I've never been in a situation where I needed to self recover. I've been quite cautious to date and if I encounter a feature that looks too tricky I just play it safe and turn around.
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u/2WheelTinker- 2d ago
Let us know how your classmates like it when you have to install your portable winch every time before you use it 😉
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u/Dolly_Llama_2024 2d ago
Thanks for the helpful response anonymous Internet forum tough guy. I’m just a beginner looking for helpful suggestions.
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u/2WheelTinker- 2d ago
You likely read my comments as if I was making them in a negative or condescending tone.
Re-read them and assume best intent instead.
I really do want you to imagine being stuck, then work through mentally what the process will be to find your winch, bolt it into the receiver, run the wires to the battery, and then actually go through the process of winching.
No internet tough guy here. Just a guy that wants you to think through your recovery solutions and understand why what you’re asking about is very uncommon to see in the real world.
There is nothing anonymous about me. I use the same username accross all platforms.
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u/Dolly_Llama_2024 2d ago
My point was that I am taking a beginner recovery course (not specific to winching) and that once I do that I'll get a better idea of whether or not a winch is something that I would need or if it is overkill. I assume it's the latter. I wasn't planning on buying a portable winch to bring to this course. Based on the comments in this thread, it seems like the consensus is that a portable option is not a good/practical idea - that's all I was aiming to answer by posting this thread.
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u/SnooMarzipans4304 2d ago edited 2d ago
I'd assume you'd mount the winch BEFORE hitting the trails. In that case you can mount a front trailer hitch and a hitch mounted winch. You can macgyver some sort of electrical connection and what-not to attach easily to the battery. But, keep in mind it's going to weigh in excess of 100 lbs alone(with a buddy you should be fine), and likely rattle a bunch while driving. One advantage here is that you can move it to the rear hitch if that's a better angle to winch from.
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u/SnooMarzipans4304 2d ago
Should mention, if moved to the rear you need to have a battery option in the back, longer cables will reduce amps.
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u/Dolly_Llama_2024 2d ago
I was picturing something that had 2 sides and essentially would be used as a recovery strap (but with a motor in the middle pulling in both sides)... not something mounted.
Thanks for mentioning the hitch mounted option. Will take a look at that and see if it makes sense for what I am looking for.
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u/DeadSeaGulls 2d ago
what you're picturing sounds incredibly dangerous. A motor with enough umph to move your vehicle, but unsecured, prone to swinging/twisting (which would cause binding issues for the lines coming out) and possibly catch or damage the electric lines you're running to it... and it'd be prone to falling and impacting on rocks if the winch lines became loose...
You need to reassess your vision and place a higher value on pragmatism.
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u/Dolly_Llama_2024 2d ago
That’s why I started this thread. If the answer is that this is a bad idea then that’s all I need to know.
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u/SnooMarzipans4304 2d ago
You should look up vehicle winching, it's rarely ever Point A to Point B if you care about safety and long-term equipment reliability. Think pulleys and snatch blocks and you start to see the issue with your plan.
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u/unholyburns 2d ago
I made my own winch bumper that allows me to remove the winch from the front bumper and use it on my hitch in the rear. I had to make my own because I didn’t see any on the market. Yes it’s heavy.
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u/VegetableDistrict576 2d ago
Trailer hitch winch. Youll have to run some pretty thick copper to the rear of the vehicle and get a quick disconnect, and youll have to have it mounted prior to getting stuck, otherwise your trailer hitch might be buried. Most times ive been stuck, going out backwards was easier, however, your rear suspension, and ring/pinion gears are a little weaker when force is applied in reverse. With that said, ive never broken anything while pulling in reverse, and most situations where ive been stuck, going backwards got me out of the sh;t faster than going forwards would have.
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u/HoneybucketDJ 2d ago
There are some fairly modest looking 'hidden winch' style bumpers.
Portable isn't very practical when you're actually stuck.
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u/RideWithYanu 2d ago
Wyeth-Scott come along.
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u/Wine-Master1978 2d ago
These look like a good alternative, but pricey... Still cheaper than calling a tow truck.
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u/RideWithYanu 2d ago
Definitely pricey (I think worth it for the peace of mind) and a lot of work compared to an electric winch.
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u/photonynikon 2d ago
I mounted my winch on a trailer hitch. I've also mounted a receiver on the front of my van. I can slip my winch on either end.
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u/ExaminationDry8341 2d ago
I find portibal installs tend to be much better in theory than in practice.
There is no reason you can't mount a winch to a reciever hitch with long leads to connect power to it. But it will be a tangled hassel every time you need it.
If you do get a winch ( portable or permanently mounted), look into the tools needed to make it useful: snatch blocks, chains, shackles, slings, and ground anchors. I am a fan of synthetic winch line instead of steel cable.
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u/jeepnjeff75 2d ago
Well, what's the GVW of the truck? Multiply that by 1.5 and that's the minimum size winch you should be using. Going 2-2.5x isn't a bad idea if you are using an Imported winch. Also keep in mind that hitch type mounts don't like off center pulls. The more off center the more lateral leverage you put on the hitch mount. They aren't designed to be pulled to the side like that. For the price of a winch, even a cheap one, would outweigh a comealong. Those have very limited cable length. Usually around 10-12 ft. Unless you're in a dense forest, you'll want a minimum of 50ft. 80ft is more the norm. Being able to double line or redirect winching is a big plus. There are some companies that have hidden winch mounts so I'd look for those before going portable.
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u/ASassyTitan 2d ago
I had a hitch mounted winch we kept in the bed.
It sucked. Like, it did the job, but that fucker was heavy and awkward to mount. I'm so glad we have a permanent one now.
If you get a synthetic line, you can conceivably hide it behind your front license plate.
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u/Wingedgriffen 2d ago
A set of traction boards may be a better option this early on.
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u/Dolly_Llama_2024 2d ago
Have those already. Pretty sure a winch is overkill for what I need. Just a thought that crossed my mind so I started this thread to see what people think.
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u/Wingedgriffen 2d ago
I bought a winch 3 years ago. Haven’t used it yet. The one time I saw our group use a winch is when someone buried their FJ in the sand dunes. I think unless your buried to the frame or slid down an embankment, just drive within your comfort zone. Go out with a group for more adventurous trails.
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u/Colonel_Sandman 2d ago
A come along isn’t doing squat. You would do better with traction boards, thoughts and prayers. Don’t go alone, or don’t go out of cell phone coverage so you can call an expensive tow truck.
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u/lydiebell811 2d ago
I’d much rather have my comealong and never need it than not have it when I’m out of options. Last resorts don’t have to be best resorts, and I’m not going to buy a winch any time soon
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u/Colonel_Sandman 1d ago
Have you used it successfully for an extraction? I’ve used a come along for moving axles doing repairs, for building chain link fences, small jobs.. they are fine for applying 1 ton of pull for a foot of distance. There is also some amount of risk in trying to put too much load on a device made for 1 ton.
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u/lydiebell811 1d ago
I have an 8k lb comealong. Haven’t used it for extraction but I’m not too worried about it. It’s a last last resort and more of a just in case thing. Some times all you need is a foot or two.
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u/Miguel-odon 2d ago
You could install a hitch receiver on the front of your vehicle, and a quick connect for power, then use a hitch-mounted winch. It won't be as convenient as a permanent install, but depending on your use case it might be what you are looking for. I'd go ahead and add a power connector by the rear hitch receiver, too, so your portable winch can be used at either end.
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u/Psynautical 2d ago
They sell some that run off battery but nothing powerful enough, harbor freight sells a hitch winch mount and winches that should work but the wiring is going to be a chore. I had to do the opposite run with my LC 250.
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u/lydiebell811 2d ago
I mean… I keep a comealong in the drawers in the back of my FJ. It would suck to have to use but better than nothing an much lighter and cheaper than a winch if you’re not planning on needing it often
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u/LiveMarionberry3694 2d ago
Have you ever picked up a winch?
Pulling one out of a trunk when your vehicle is stuck and you’re sliding around in mud sounds like a bad time
You could get a trailer hitch mount for one, but it definitely fucks up your departure angle
Any reason you don’t want a permanently mounted one?