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Tyson N.
Dodge Dakota
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1/02/2010
23:46:23
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 Subject: Trailer Hitch Winch Mounts. . .
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Message:
Greetings all,
I'm looking to get a winch for my 94' 4x4, but have no way to
attach it to the front of my truck. I have a bull bar up there
which is bumper-mounted (the four bolts on either side of the
license plate) and I doubt such a setup would accommodate the
stresses from using a winch for a 4000 lb truck. Therefore I am
wondering if trailer-hitch winch mounts are useful and effective.
Has anyone has experience using them? Is there one you'd
recommend? I've heard they can fail rather spectacularly when
used at an angle, or on inclines.
Thanks a ton!
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other bill
Dodge Dakota
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1/03/2010
10:15:02
|  RE: Trailer Hitch Winch Mounts. . .
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Message:
Tyson N,
Looking at the various company websites (Champ, Hidden Hitch, Reese, etc.) I have not found a trailer hitch being sold for the front of our Gen IIs. I contacted Curt Mfg directly, concerning a front mount hitch for the Gen IIIs and they graciously sent me drawings. I just haven't got under my rig to see what kind of modifications would need to be made for it to fit. Maybe when hunting season is over? :-)
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Tyson
Dodge Dakota
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1/03/2010
16:52:47
| RE: Trailer Hitch Winch Mounts. . .
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Message:
Thanks for your reply!
I'd also be comfortable using the rear trailer hitch, but in that case,
the companies like Warn say you need a class III hitch. Do your or
anyone know what class of hitch is equipped on a Dakota out of the
Factory? Mine is an '94 SLT 4x4 w/ the 5.2L 318.
Thanks again,
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other bill
Dodge Dakota
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1/04/2010
11:11:59
| RE: Trailer Hitch Winch Mounts. . .
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Message:
It is by law that all hitches be marked as to their load capacity. Yours is either stamped or has a decal denoting the tongue weight and towing weight. Rule of thumb: Tongue weight is 10% of towing weight...ie. a Class III allows you to tow up to 5,000lbs (6,000 if you are using a load leveling system...Sway-Away, Equalizer, etc.). The max tongue wt it will support is 500lbs (600 with load leveling).
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Tyson N.
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/04/2010
16:41:49
| RE: Trailer Hitch Winch Mounts. . .
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Message:
Ok, thanks for the info. I guess as long as I'm not pulling straight
down or up, the hitch winch attachment will do the trick.
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Moser
Dodge Dakota
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3/05/2010
15:01:54
| RE: Trailer Hitch Winch Mounts. . .
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Message:
On my '92, I used a front hitch from Hidden Hitch for a '97-'99 Dakota. I had a 2" body lift at the time and didn't like how low the hitch would normally mount. So, I cut the end mounting plates off right at the welds and flipped the hitch upside down. Then I cut the the part of the end plates that had the welded tubes off and discarded them. What you have left is a nice plate that you can cut square holes in just like it originally had. Weld them back on sticking up like the original and weld on both sides of the plates. There are 2 centre mounting tabs that have about a 45 degree angle on them that need to be heated and straightened. These 2 tabs will sit perfectly on top of the front of the frame. You'll have to watch how far back you move the hitch on the frame. I set mine back until the winch mount handles were touching the bumper and then did my drilling. I used 2 half inch grade 8 bolts per side and another 2 for the tabs that are more in the middle. I then took a piece of angle iron and welded it to the bottom of the tabs and the frame. It's these tabs that make sure it is very secure when winching to the side. This thing wasn't going anywhere. I more than tested it on multiple occasions. I couldn't find any good pictures at this time, but this is what the truck looked like when I sold it. That was a sad day and I wish now I had never sold it. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1824861&l=8600fa8b9b&id=511063784
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T. Nickel
Dodge Dakota
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3/06/2010
15:06:58
| RE: Trailer Hitch Winch Mounts. . .
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Message:
That truck is a beaut! Yeah, 'hidden hitch' is no understatement. . .
Looks good man. I'll have to look into that this summer.
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Moser
Dodge Dakota
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3/06/2010
17:37:42
| RE: Trailer Hitch Winch Mounts. . .
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Message:
Hey thanks. Yeah it was a great truck. I will definitely put together another just like it one day.
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