Mounting Electric Winch In/On Pick Up Bed

[CUOFFROAD]

What I want to do is mount a 2000lb HF electric winch on my F350 pick up bed.

What I'm looking for as far as advice is do you think my design will work or will I just end up bending the side rails of my bed?

Only thing I plan on useing the winch for is to load my 250 Kawasaki Bayou ATV into the back of the truck...pulling it up ramps.

Plan is to use 5/32 wall (or whatever the actually gauge equivelant is) steel tube.

This design will mount into the stake pockets and then I'll have a foot long "brace" welded on to the verticle tube that will rest on the top rail of the box. Hoping this would be enough to spread the load and not bend the box.

Not the best artist but hopefully you get the idea from the pics.

Hope that makes sense.

[Broccoli1]

I would mount the winch on the ATV so you could use it in the field/trails:cool:

[CUOFFROAD]

Would still need to have an attachment point in the bed to winch it up though...so I'd have the same questions. ;)

Trails I'm on are all state DNR, established trails. We've ridden these for years and years and no one has ever gotten stuck.

[Sandy]

No answers but There ain't much metal in these beds or any strength in or around the stake pockets so I think you're looking at building some beefy bulkhead arrangement myself. About what you are currently talking about only not relying on the stake pockets for any real strength.

Can't really say what I'd do without actually deciding to do it myself but after having bent, straightened and reinforced a few bulkheads I do know there isn't much there. A lot of skin to attach to but any strength has to be added by you and built in based on the task you want it to perform. Quads aren't light any more for sure.

Building in any strength is hard to do if you want to preserve the "original cosmetics". I rarely do that. If I want to build something "hell for stout" that's what I do. If I wanted a pretty truck I'd leave it alone and forget about doing any serious duty.

Pure opinion. There are trucks for work and then there are trucks for looks.

[chevyman_de]

Some years ago Warn had a bedmount for utility winches called Powermate.
I've built a similar thing to pull up my mig welder on ramps, the Warn unit seemed slightly overpriced to me. I use the existing stake pockets for installation, so no extra holes and easy removal. The winch is not hardwired to the vehicle, I use some sort of a jumper cable to feed the winch.
Sorry for not having pics of the brackets inside the pockets, but this mount was built long before I had a digicam.

The tubes are 40x40x2 mm which is roughly 1.5"x1.5"x.08". More than strong enough in this configuration. Even the stake pockets never complained. It doesn't take much pull to get an ATV or a big welder into the bed.

[Broccoli1]

Well there ya go with the connectors shown and all :)
:drinkup:

[chevyman_de]

The connectors are from used computer back-ups'. Cheep find on a fleemarket.;)
They're for the remote control. The "jumper cable" will go to these machined SS contact points. The white isolators are machined from glass filled teflon.

[Sandy]

Well there ya go with the connectors shown and all :)
:drinkup:

Looks like marketable !!!!. I'd say that's the critter right there too. :)

[CUOFFROAD]

Wow chevyman_de, ask and ye shall receive! :drinkup:

I think I have the idea for the stake pockets too.

I'll post more once I get 'er started.

Thank you!

[chevyman_de]

Instead of a photo...
The bracket has a welded 2nd plate underneath which fits exactly into the stake pocket. A massive clamping block goes over the complete length of the stake pocket. The nut for the bolt was machine from a long piece of SS, it almost reaches the bottom of the pocket. The head of a stainless allen head bolt was welded to its end. Now you can easily turn/hold the nut with an allen wrench through the bottom hole in the pocket.

[mudbugone]

That's a seriously slick setup.... great design job and an even better execution of the design. You need to patent that setup or at least manufacture them for sale...;)

[CUOFFROAD]

That's a seriously slick setup.... great design job and an even better execution of the design. You need to patent that setup or at least manufacture them for sale...;)

x2....how much for shipping from Germany? :laugh:

Going to have to think more about the stake pocket mounting. I wasn't thinking anything near as fancy as what you have. I'm going to have to find some kind of "off the shelf" solution and maybe modify it. Other than the ability to cut steel and weld it I have no machinery to build custom parts. :(

You do have me thinking though...and I do appreciate it! :waving:

[mla2ofus]

OK, I always have to ask the "dumb" question. Why can't your ATV power itself up the ramps??? Unless those are terribly steep ramps.:confused::confused::confused:
Mike

[DesertRider33]

I always rode my 3-wheelers up the ramps into the truck bed. Only time they went up by other means was if they were dead and couldn't run, in which case, I got a running start and pushed them up. :)

My gooseneck hitch under the bed floor would make for a perfect winch mount. Mount winch to thick plate, weld square tube protruding down from bottom of plate, drop tube into hitch hole, slide pin through, all done.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn7/desertrider33/0627091349a.jpg?t=1276389201

[Broccoli1]

x2....how much for shipping from Germany? :laugh:

Going to have to think more about the stake pocket mounting. I wasn't thinking anything near as fancy as what you have. I'm going to have to find some kind of "off the shelf" solution and maybe modify it. Other than the ability to cut steel and weld it I have no machinery to build custom parts. :(

You do have me thinking though...and I do appreciate it! :waving:

An extension on a Socket works pretty good too:drinkup:

All you need is a Plate under the bed rail sheet metal and use a regular nut.

[CUOFFROAD]

OK, I always have to ask the "dumb" question. Why can't your ATV power itself up the ramps??? Unless those are terribly steep ramps.:confused::confused::confused:
Mike

Ahhh yes, I knew this question would come up....and not a dumb question at all.

I've personally seen two back windows broken from riding a quad into the back of a pickup.

Granted...it shouldn't happen...but the one time it does, it sucks. Trying to avoid the sucks part.

I've always pushed my bikes/quads into the back of the truck and it has always worked.

This project is just a "nice to have".

[mla2ofus]

Ahhh yes, I knew this question would come up....and not a dumb question at all.

I've personally seen two back windows broken from riding a quad into the back of a pickup.

Granted...it shouldn't happen...but the one time it does, it sucks. Trying to avoid the sucks part.

I've always pushed my bikes/quads into the back of the truck and it has always worked.

This project is just a "nice to have".

OK, I knew there had to be a good reason. I have an old Suzi 250 4x4 and never had that problem. I guess it all depends on how big a hurry you're in to load it.:laugh::laugh::laugh:
Mike

[dubl_t]

Just for reference, I had a '99 F350 sitting on 35" tires. My ramps were 6' long. I had to load a 250 Rekon by myself with a chain between the stake pockets and a come-a-long after a battery issue, no damage.

[chevyman_de]

Thanks for the compliments on the design. :blush:

Whether or not a socket and an extension will work may depend on the vehicle. The Chevy has a rail inside the bed under the stake pocket to create a second layer and that rail could prohibit the use of an extension. Don’t know about the current Ford beds.

Basically you could drill and tap the clamping block and go without any additional nuts. But then you wouldn’t be the only one who could easily remove the complete unit in two minutes.
The invisible nuts in combination with thread locking compound are better since those who don’t know could turn the bolt forever without success.

Of course the special nut doesn’t have to be machined from bar stock stainless. A long extension nut with a long bolt screwed and welded into one end would do as well. I just had the tools, time and material at hand.
Same for the clamping block. You could use an angle grinder or even a file to make them. They don’t have to be beauties and you don’t need quantities.

[chevyman_de]

I had to load a 250 Rekon by myself with a chain between the stake pockets and a come-a-long after a battery issue, no damage.
Another reason for the winch on the truck, not on the ATV...

An ATV of that size has a curb weight of about 450 lbs. An actual line pull of about 200 to 250 lbs should get it in easily, it's rolling on a ramp after all. Equally distributed that's 125 lbs per stake pocket. No big deal.

[Boostinjdm]

My truck has tie down mounts in the floor of the bed. IF I wanted to mount a winch, I'd use a plate and some J bolts.

The good thing about the winch on the atv is that you can load it in any truck.
The good thing about the winch in the truck is that you can load any atv.

I always just ride mine in. Just time it right so you pull the clutch about half way up the ramp and coast into the bed. Tap the brake a little and your there.

[chevyman_de]

My truck has tie down mounts in the floor of the bed. IF I wanted to mount a winch, I'd use a plate and some J bolts.
That would cause nasty line angles for the rope, resulting in damage to the tailgate and (sooner or later) to the rope as well. And once the mounting point on the ATV reaches the height of the winch you have lots of "downforce" on the ATV's front end...

[Broccoli1]

Pussies- I drive my Rhino in to the back of my Truck:laugh::D:drinkup:

[RaptorDuner]

Another thing to consider into an ATV winch mount is tire bumpers so the tires are contacting instead of the racks. On utility quads the rack/bumper is usually the part that sticks out the most and that makes it a pain to strap down. Not usually an issue on my Raptor because the tires stick out further, but with chevyman's design my bumper would hit because the tires would go under the mount.

[CUOFFROAD]

chevyman, it looks like the "plate" on top of the rails is bolted on and is light gauge aluminum? Is this just to keep the weather off the winch or is there another purpose?

Also, for anyone...is there any reason I can't mount the winch upside down?

My thought is, to simplify my build, can't I just weld a flat plate on the bottom of the rails, drill the mounting holes, and bolt the winch upside down to that. Not planning on running a fairlead since it should be all straight pulls into the bed.

[chevyman_de]

Yep, it's just a cover to protect against the elements, made from .060 SS. I installed nylon washers as spacers between cover and frame to allow for ventilation between the two parts.

I don't see any reason against mounting the winch upside down. Actually, I'm asking myself what has kept me from going that simple route. Maybe I just wanted to keep the fairlead, as it was included with my winch.

[CUOFFROAD]

Yep, it's just a cover to protect against the elements, made from .060 SS. I installed nylon washers as spacers between cover and frame to allow for ventilation between the two parts.

I don't see any reason against mounting the winch upside down. Actually, I'm asking myself what has kept me from going that simple route. Maybe I just wanted to keep the fairlead, as it was included with my winch.

Thanks!

Still tracking down all the electrical components and then it's off the the steel supplier this weekend...I hope.

I did a search on the Warn Powermate. Found one place where they can still be ordered but man are you right...they wanted something like $560. I think that did include some sort of ATV winch but still, I think this set up will suit my needs just fine.

[chevyman_de]

...but man are you right...they wanted something like $560.
That's a steal. They wanted slightly over 1.000 Euros in Germany.:gunsfirin

[CUOFFROAD]

Gettin there. Nothing fancy, pretty much going with Chevyman's design. :cool:

Pics aren't the best. This thing is long and I've got limited space in the garage but you'll get the idea. Everything is tru and square with the world so so far I'm pretty happy with it.

Right now I'm thinking turnbuckles between the bed tie down loops in the corners of the bed and welding a couple chain links onto the "winch mount". We'll see....still thinking about it. Nothing off the shelf is really out there for the stake pockets that I feel comfortable with.

After I figure out how to tie it to the bed then it's back to the electrical.

[CUOFFROAD]

In the truck. Straps would be the turnbuckle idea.

Even with the straps hardley sinched down me and my 225 lbs yanking on it can't get it to move at all.

[barefooter14]

nice work did you give it a try yet with the rachet straps?

[farmall]

Ingenious idea, no reason it shouldn't work perfectly.

It would also work well with a manual winch, and could scale up to much heavier winches.

[chevyman_de]

Gettin there. Nothing fancy, pretty much going with Chevyman's design. :cool:
:drinkup:
Do you have some "plugs" on the underside of the angle iron matching the stake pockets? If not you should add them, 3/16" material is enough. They make a real difference for keeping the whole thing in place, especially when you pull at an angle.

[Marcuspboldt]

Thats slicker than owl $hit!
That thing will make a nice barrier between your ATV and your back glass also.

[CUOFFROAD]

:drinkup:
Do you have some "plugs" on the underside of the angle iron matching the stake pockets? If not you should add them, 3/16" material is enough. They make a real difference for keeping the whole thing in place, especially when you pull at an angle.

I'm going to give it a try without "plugs" and with the turnbuckles and see how she does. Should only be straight pulls right up the ramps.

Going tomorrow to get the wire and quick connects to make the run from the battery to the bed.

Hopefully I'll get to try it out this weekend....but the wife and kids may have different ideas.:laugh: OK...not so funny...probably more the truth...:rolleyes:

[CUOFFROAD]

Done. Turnbuckles on and all wired up. Decided to go with a deep cycle marine battery in the bed of the truck as opposed to the long run from the truck battery.

Still have to load the quad this weekend but the winch spools in and out no problem.

[mudbugone]

Nice clean installation... I like the concept... I'll have to remember your design if I ever need such a system.

[dingdow]

I was thinking about a simular design to help lower my cruiser motorcycle from my Toyota tundra. Getting it into the truck isn't a proiblem, but taking it out can be quite harry. So could it work?????

[captain belly]

Do you have a fifth wheel hole in the middle of your bed? If so, how about designing a base from that which runs up to the front of the bed (low profile using heavy channel iron). A base that you can nut down.
I made a round bail spike base like that a few years ago and it worked great. Picture a "T" shaped base in the bottom of your bed. Easy to remove as well. OR...... Plug a wench base into the fifth wheel hole and pull it out once the ATV gets past the edge of the tailgate. That would be extremely portable and wouldn't be a permanent fixture taking up space in your bed

[fwalz3]

I made a metal plate that the winch slides and locks onto. I bolted the plate to my garage floor to drag in any non-running vehicles. You could make something similar and bolt it to the bed floor. Then you can take the winch off when not in use so it's not in the way and out of the weather.

68197

68198

[Blarg]

Done. Turnbuckles on and all wired up. Decided to go with a deep cycle marine battery in the bed of the truck as opposed to the long run from the truck battery.

Still have to load the quad this weekend but the winch spools in and out no problem.

Hi!

This thread is awesome and very helpful, and your rig looks very clean and works! Great job!

I am going to have some friends build a similar frame to mount a hand winch. I have a small bass boat that probably weighs less than 200 lbs when fully loaded - hence the hand winch ( rated at 600lbs and only cost $19.00 with 2 yr exchange)

Questions:

The turnbuckles look like a brilliant idea. Are they enough to keep the frame in place without any slippage when pulling on an incline? I have 8 foot ramps and only need to pull the boat about halfway into the pickup bed. I think truck and ramps will sit at a 30-degree angle when the truck is on the boat ramp.

BTW,

Is your truck a Toyota Tundra? Looks exactly like mine - I have an 04 Access same color.

Any advice and info greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

--Ed

[ToolBoxTavern]

I've been wanting to make an attachment on my bead or a head ache rack with a quick disconnect. Great post. Awesome work.