winch cradle or front bumper mount?

I am trying to decide on winch mount options. Cradle with front 2" receiver or front bumper with winch?

what winch do you prefer?

 

Is this thread not allowed? I just wanted some feedback.

 

In you live in an area where they salt roads and you drive your truck in the winter, then I’d go receiver and cradle.

 

I am in East Texas. Very little true Winter weather. However if we do get ice, stay at home. No one down here can drive in it.

 

I'd opt for some type of bumper with recovery points..... I either like the ARB or the Southern Style Offroad offerings.

 

The slim bumper is like a skid plate, too. This is a Warn hidden bumper and Smittybilt winch

Here’s a good resource

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/complete-3rd-gen-front-bumper.580218/

 

SSO

/Thread

 

I'm not a fan of receiver mounted winches if you offroad. By the time your wheel deep in a whole carrying a winch and aligning it with a reciever tube that may or may not be covered in mud, snow, rocks, water, whatever seems like a useless application of a winch. I want my winch ready, installed, and so I just need to pull rope before using. The receiver options also put the winch about a foot to 18" further out than a standard bumper with winch would too, increasing leverage on the frame and mounting points.

If you want a winch for the 4 times you will take the truck offroad and want expo points, and you will rarely leave pavement so you can leave the winch at home I guess do that. (honestly if this is the case why do you need a winch?)

 

Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice

 

There are also a few companies that make the rarest seen option: a brush guard winch mount.
Important questions to ask your self. 1.How often do you plan to use your winch? 2.Are you going to want to reach down your grill or into a hole to flip your winch into freewheel?Or are you going to get one that has an electric clutch?

 

This isn't that big of a concern in my opinion, as long as you can still access the lever. The more the winch is covered the better UV protection the rope will have as well, so its a double edged sword.

 

Cradle with Warn winch mounted into a Mobtown Offroad recovery bar.

I see no reason to permanently add over 100lbs to the front of my truck for the occasional off road trip.

 

Oh I forgot question 4. Steel or synthetic rope? Research the pros and cons of each

 

I have had both. The truck started with a receiver and winch in cradle on the front. I made the receiver so it was about 22" off the ground and clearance was not a problem. I never had a problem with bumping it on something (on a trail or a parking lot) even though it did seem to stick way out. I used the winch in the receiver a few times and it worked fine.

I now have the same winch in the bumper. It is WAY better in the bumper. I end up needing the winch about once a month to pull my self, or someone else, out of where ever I, or they, are stuck. If you plan to use a winch I highly suggest putting it in a bumper.