Hitch-mount Winch installed (with pics)

[Nine_One_Six_R1S]

Nice install! I would treat it like a portable wench, move it to anchor point. Then Pull my R1S from a tow hook.

Can you explain to a noob what you mean by this? I've seen applications of portable winches (although with a much smaller load capacity) where they are carried over to the anchor point and then use short straps to attach to the anchor, say a tree.

Is this what you mean?

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[Carloc]

I think he means to put the winch on the ground and tie the craddle it is in to a tree, then pull the truck from a anchor. I don't love this as there will be lots of wiggle/funny tensions as the winch is not stabilized by the truck mount. (If I understand correctly).

 

[Nine_One_Six_R1S]

I think he means to put the winch on the ground and tie the craddle it is in to a tree, then pull the truck from a anchor. I don't love this as there will be lots of wiggle/funny tensions as the winch is not stabilized by the truck mount. (If I understand correctly).

True, I guess the key thing would be how you tie the craddle to the tree if the tray was not meant to take force from those angles.

 

[Michal]

I have just finished isntalling a Badlands Apex 12k winch on a hitch winch mount. For power I am running a 900cca 160rc 95Ah battery in a simple box sitting in the bed. I have a switch (coming with the winch) to disconnect, but will also install an Andersen plug or similar to be able to separate the winch and battery.

The overall weight is significant (82lb for the winch, 30lb for tray, + the battery) so I will not box it in a single unit, but I need a solution to cleanly store in the bed when not in use (as it reduces departure angles).

Great setup, which hitch winch mount is this?

 

[MacO512]

Hoping someone makes a front bumper with a winch mount. Until that time this type of rear hitch mount is sadly probably the only solution.

For batteries I think I'd use two of these types of lifepo... 400amp continuous (and higher for 1-5 seconds up to 1600amps) should be enough for a 12k winch. Probably about the same amount of weight as one AGM but would have much more capacity, especially since it can have nearly 100% discharge. That capacity will be nice as there is no alternator to quickly recharge from a rivian.

https://www.litime.com/products/12v-100ah-max-lithium-battery

I have a 15amp AC charger but that would be pretty slow. If you had a 120amp charger it would just be under the Rivian 1500watt inverter limit. Maybe you could possibly leave that on while winching similar to running engine which would get power up to 520amp continuous.

 

[MacO512]

Just realized a problem though.... was going to get a rear tire carrier for the hitch to have a full size spare on an R1S... think it would be impossible to find one of those with enough room for a rear hitch mount?

Seems like Rivian sure missed some key use cases for the R1 as an "adventure" offroad vehicle.

 

[DawgPound]

Just found this thread - thanks - have th same idea but for a much smaller winch and a specific use case. I no long wheel, but do go to the beach a lot so I have purchased a Warn 6000 ATV winch with 50 ft of synthetic line. was going to run a batt in the spare tire, will still keep the spare, just no need for the jack kit stuff...Trickle charge to the 12V front he rear outlet, and then jsut use a similar hitch mount. I will use a deadman for my anchor point and it is only for when/if I get stuck in soft sand, so think the 6000 will be ok since not in thick mud or vertical pulls over obstacles or off center pulls. I can just double up the line with a pulley...
trying to source the hitch mount, now seeing yours I may just get some stock and weld up a drop mount since I will only install if I get stuck and not leave it on all the time (winch with line weighs 34lbs so a little easier to plug it in and remove it as I need)...
Very nicely done, hope it has been useful to you and your adventures.

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