3 Tips to Safely Mount Your Vehicle Winch

A bumper-mounted winch saves you and other drivers from unfortunate situations. However, a winch is only as secure as the mount the device is attached. Here are three tips to remember when you choose and mount your winch.

1. Start With a Durable Bumper

To attach an aftermarket winch to a four-wheel-drive vehicle or truck, you have two options:

If you attach your winch to your existing bumper, you may need to hire a welder to reinforce your vehicle's bumper and/or frame. You must also purchase specialty winch mounting plates that are bolted or welded to the existing bumper.

Do your research before you rely on your vehicle's stock bumper to act as a winch-mounting spot. An original bumper may have bolt holes and ample space to mount a winch, but the material may not be durable enough or attached with enough bolt support to handle the demands of a winch.

For example, a bumper and/or mount made of aluminum is not strong enough to hold fast under the pressures exerted by a winch's loaded steel cable.

Ask a professional or experienced winch user about the merits of using various stock vehicle bumpers as winch mounts. For example, practiced first responders and off-road aficionados have valuable insights about their experiences with various types of winch mounts.

In addition, remember that prefabricated winch mount bumpers are aftermarket parts that accept winches without needing extra mounting plates. Compare the quality and strength ratings for aftermarket bumpers to ensure the bumper you choose is up to the task of supporting your winch.

2. Pay Attention to Foot Mount Orientation

When you purchase your winch, the owner's manual includes information about the correct orientation of the winch feet when the winch is mounted. Some winches must only be mounted with the feet down. Some winches must only be mounted with the feet forward. A third type of winch may be mounted in either the foot-forward or the foot-down orientation.

If you plan to mount your winch on your existing bumper, check the specifications to ensure the bumper is configured to accept the winch's proper foot orientation. If you plan to purchase an aftermarket winch-mount bumper, order a bumper that accepts a winch with the same foot-mount orientation as the winch you plan to attach to the bumper.

A matching orientation is important because the loads are handled differently:

Keep in mind, hardware and welds for foot-down-mounted winches must be rated to handle the single shear loads created when the winch is in use.

3. Let a Welding Professional Upgrade Your Winch Mount

Prefabricated bumpers and mounts make it easy to bolt your winch to your off-road vehicle or heavy duty truck. If you mount the winch properly, you have a safe, useful tool to help get your friends out of ditches and yourself out of a mud bog.

If you don't mount your winch properly, you could cause serious injuries to persons and/or property. For example, you should never weld bolts onto your winch mount.

Consult a welding expert to help you secure your winch to your vehicle. Welders understand the properties of various metals and the best ways to strengthen your vehicle frame and/or winch mount for safe operation. Your professional welder can create a durable bumper-mount for your winch using expert welding techniques and materials including angle iron and steel.

Mount your winch the right way the first time by contacting Sam's Welding, Inc , today. We handle both small and big winch-mounting jobs in the Escondido, CA, region.