RememberTheMallamo

I have front and rear hitches on my XJ. I don't want a permanently mounted winch or winch bumper so I'm going to get a receiver mounted winch cradle. My front hitch is rated for 9000lb straight line pulls, however, the rear is only rated to tow 3500lbs... Is that normal? Does that make winching from the rear unsafe? Should I get a different rear hitch (not sure if that would make any difference)?

As far as winches go, I'm interested in the Smittybilt XRC-8 or possily a smaller 5000 or 6000 pound winch from Harbor Freight. They are cheap and have great replacement plans. There's a 5000lb UTV winch on sale for $170 right now. I know the typical rule is 1.5 times the weight of your vehicle but if I use a ****** block wouldn't that make a 5000 pound winch good enough? Are there any other winches I should consider for under $350 ($400ish if a cradle is included)?

Also, just FYI, if you're going to bash HF don't bother posting. I've had nothing but success with them and their replacement plans are no questions asked. Should my winch fail, I have tow straps, tow chains and a hi-lift to use as a come-along. Electric winches are just easier and safer especially if I were to opt for synthetic rope. Thanks in advance.

smeltmaster1

there is one on ebay called tough stuff i havev the 12,500 lbs one on my winch bumper but they also have other sizes and mine was only 376 with free shipping and comes with a bunch of stuff like a 75 foot radius wireless remote which helps with safety and also a plug in if the remote fails plus a flare head and i think about 88' of cable here is a pic

thatXJguy

1.5x the weight of your vehicle? You should go for 2-3x. You never know what kind of angle or situation you will be pulling yourself out of. If you're really stuck, the mud and whatever you're stuck in can put much more than 1.5x the weight of your vehicle in stress on the cable. That's why most people go with 9000-12000 pound winches.

This one here is priced well:

But you'll find better quality in some of the more expensive ones.

Good luck!

smeltmaster1

go to truck and winch.com they are having a sale now i just got an email. that is where mine is from off ebay

RememberTheMallamo

12,000 pounds is A LOT lol. Are winches rated based on how much they can laterally pull specifically or what? I mean the Cherokee may weigh around 5000 pounds but I can go lean against it and cause it to move assuming level ground with no parking brake... I just can't imagine it ever requiring 12,000 pounds of force to get it to move unless that's not how they're rated. Obviously not to be used to dead lift things, but suspended is the only way the Cherokee would truly weigh 5000 pounds to start with...

thatXJguy

Closer to the 4000 pounds mark. But it's easy to move a Cherokee on a paved road. Now imagine trying to push it uphill while buried to the axle in mud.

smeltmaster1

or you are wheeling and your buddy has a bronco or k5 and they get stuck to the frame in mud there is alot of different situations that a bigger winch will come in handy and might be the difference of you or someone getting there truck out

Rock Toy

Mallamo:
Don't even think about a ATV/UTV winch, the cable is to short to be useful in 90 percent of recovery situations. The Cherokee weighs about 4000 lbs so you'll need a winch that is rated for at least 6000 lbs, and has at least 80 feet of cable. The problem with trying to find an inexpensive 6000 lb winch is that there aren't any full size 6000 lb winches that are inexpensive, most cost more than twice what you would spend to pick up a 8000-9500 lb winch.

RememberTheMallamo

Thanks for the input, I never even thought about cable length.

My boss said he has a Ramsey 9000lb winch with a shorted out motor. Is that an easy thing to replace?

thatXJguy

You might be better off with a new one.

Just remember to stick with 9000 pound+

freegdr

x2 unless you get a hell of a deal on a motor

wifin

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f10/ho...9-99-a-155810/

V8XJDavid

I have been told to get double the weight of your vehicle + 1000 lbs for a winch. Which, for most XJ's be around 9000. A winch can save your day, maybe your life. It can also end both if it fails. Don't go el cheapo unless you have to. Save up for a GOOD winch. You will never be disappointed with quality products.

Rock Toy

Mallamo,

You should have a winch that is rated at at least 1.5 times the weight of your rig, but one that is rated double the weight of your rig is what is preferred. [Nothing I've ever been told or read states anything about the double the weight plus 1000 lbs.]

So I would look for a winch rated for 8000 lbs and not over 10000 lbs and one that has at least 80 foot of winch line.

Mount it solidly and then get someone to teach you how to use the winch!
Having the knowledge of how to use the winch in different recovery situations, and be safe is the most important part of owning a winch, the winch is like any other tool if you don't know how to use it, it is pretty much useless.

RememberTheMallamo

The deal wifin posted is pretty damn good. I think 8000lbs is the minimum I'll be considering, 9000 or 9500 if I can find a deal.

Now my question about the hitch still stands. Only 3500 pounds for the rear? It has six really big bolts and two medium ones while my front hitch only has two really big ones and four medium ones yet it's rated for 9000 pounds. What gives?