RC High Winch Mount Feedback?

[cr117]

Since this seems to be a pretty popular mounting option for a winch on the modular bumper, I was curious what owners' experiences have been with them after use.

With the winch mounted up so high, I want to know what the general consensus is on what, if anything, has bent after use in a vehicle recovery. I would think that quite a bit of torque gets applied to the frame horns and/or the mount itself when under load. I know frame horn reinforcements exist, but if I was running one of these, I'd be nervous the winch mount itself could bend. Is this the case or am I overthinking things?

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[Chrome_Pony]

As I recall from the frame horn bending thread with the RC high mount was due to an error in installation with the kit as shipped at the time. Washers that were intended to bridge a gap and spread loads were not installed prior to the pull that tweaked the frame horns.

I believe later in the thread Tricky said that RC was redesigning either the kit or the instructions to make it clearer to the installer.

Personally, I prefer the security of a full one-piece replacement bumper with reinforcement brackets and a winch mount. My Badlands wears a @Brave Offroad Designs bumper that checks all my boxes, and comes with two skids.

 

[GPPBronco]

Based on the threads I’ve read on B6G re: this winch mount, there haven’t been any failures that weren’t connected to either an improper install or bending frame horns. I’m installing one this weekend with @LOD Offroad frame horn reinforcement brackets.

 

[RC Bronco]

I preemptively installed frame horn reinforcements from TD after reading what happened to him

 

[Tricky Mike]

So yes, I did leave out some washers the first time around. After adding my brackets then reinstalling the RC mount correctly, the mount itself bent instead of the horns but there may have been some weakening.

In my mind even if you rule out my experience, the frame horns are questionable when you see what happened to DV8 and that Braptor, plus Ford has extra bracing with the OEM mount. I've stopped selling them so I have nothing to gain by recommending some extra support.

 

[techdisaster]

I preemptively installed frame horn reinforcements from TD after reading what happened to him

Same.

 

[Brandon Miller]

I personally think the direct factory tow points are the best, anything else adds leverage. I am happy with my RC setup and have used it heavily..

 

[Eljohno]

Just finished installing the RC high mount and built my own frame horn reinforcements!

 

[SROC3]

Hmmm.....and where may i purchase these frame-horn reinforcements you all speak of?

 

[Eljohno]

Hmmm.....and where may i purchase these frame-horn reinforcements you all speak of?

Addictive Desert Design makes them, but I built my own out of .250 gauge steel.

 

[MillerAndCheeto]

Hmmm.....and where may i purchase these frame-horn reinforcements you all speak of?

ADD, LOD, homemade.

 

[SROC3]

ADD, LOD, homemade.

I also just checked and I have the washers installed properly.....got scared there for a bit...lol.

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