Hitch-mount Winch installed (with pics)

Carloc · Oct 1, 2023

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).

Rivian R1T R1S Hitch-mount Winch installed (with pics) IMG_2900

Rivian R1T R1S Hitch-mount Winch installed (with pics) IMG_2902

Rivian R1T R1S Hitch-mount Winch installed (with pics) IMG_2901

Count Orlok · Oct 1, 2023

neat set-up but sad an "adventure" EV can't power it on its own.

SACDFJC · Oct 1, 2023

What are you going to use it for...?

Thedude · Oct 1, 2023

SACDFJC said:
What are you going to use it for...?

Getting unstuck would be a reasonable assumption.

Carloc · Oct 1, 2023

Count Orlok said:
neat set-up but sad an "adventure" EV can't power it on its own.

Agreed! I don’t fully trust the small 12v batteries of the Rivian and anyway running long cables to the back would be a pain. They will eventually come out with a OEM front bumper winch but for the time being.

Carloc · Oct 1, 2023

Thedude said:
Getting unstuck would be a reasonable assumption.

Yup! I go off-road and my buddy who used to come with a modded Wrangler with a winch has moved to a Grand Cherokee 4Xe Trailhawk (awesome overlander but no winch yet), plus sometimes I go out solo.

We could off course use a kinetic rope but not all conditions make for good “hard yank”… sometimes a controlled winching is the way to go.

I will keep you posted on how it does, if I end up using it in the wild.

FYI total cost is ~$1k.

SACDFJC · Oct 1, 2023

Carloc said:
Yup! I go off-road and my buddy who used to come with a modded Wrangler with a winch has moved to a Grand Cherokee 4Xe Trailhawk (awesome overlander but no winch yet), plus sometimes I go out solo.

We could off course use a kinetic rope but not all conditions make for good “hard yank”… sometimes a controlled winching is the way to go.

I will keep you posted on how it does, if I end up using it in the wild.

FYI total cost is ~$1k.

Thanks for the reply. Is your plan to leave the winch hanging off the rear while wheeling or to keep it in the bed and only have it out back when you need it?

FooF · Oct 1, 2023

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00455VCTY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
3 Ton Ratchet Puller With 35' Of 5/16" Amsteel Blue
This is what I have for now until winch bumper is a product.

Rivian R1T R1S Hitch-mount Winch installed (with pics) winch

Carloc · Oct 1, 2023

SACDFJC said:
Thanks for the reply. Is your plan to leave the winch hanging off the rear while wheeling or to keep it in the bed and only have it out back when you need it?

i am thinking it will depend on terrain. On a rock crawl where i need all my departure angle probably in the bed. In sand/snow/mud where I am likely to get stuck but no departure angle issues likely hanging in the back. Honestly I need to experiment with it some before forming an opinion.

Carloc · Oct 1, 2023

FooF said:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00455VCTY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
3 Ton Ratchet Puller With 35' Of 5/16" Amsteel Blue
This is what I have for now until winch bumper is a product.

I thought about it too, but from what I read online those are rather dangerous (as you need to stand on the line and there are sizeable metal pieces under tension) and 3ton is not enough for the R1T.

They suggest to be 1.5 to 2x your truck weight to handle mud suction/obstacles in front of the tires etc. and to use synthetic rope, soft shackles, and snatch blocks as much as possible.

if you stick to that I suggest you grab a couple of good snatch blocks so you can multiply the force.

SACDFJC · Oct 1, 2023

Carloc said:
i am thinking it will depend on terrain. On a rock crawl where i need all my departure angle probably in the bed. In sand/snow/mud where I am likely to get stuck but no departure angle issues likely hanging in the back. Honestly I need to experiment with it some before forming an opinion.

Got it. I think this could be a really simple and smart way for Rivian owners to mount a winch. Look forward to seeing how it works out.

FooF · Oct 1, 2023

Carloc said:
I thought about it too, but from what I read online those are rather dangerous (as you need to stand on the line and there are sizeable metal pieces under tension) and 3ton is not enough for the R1T.

They suggest to be 1.5 to 2x your truck weight to handle mud suction/obstacles in front of the tires etc. and to use synthetic rope, soft shackles, and snatch blocks as much as possible.

if you stick to that I suggest you grab a couple of good snatch blocks so you can multiply the force.

3 ton is dead lift with snatch block 6 ton pulling force and a snatch block was included
Uses Amsteel synthetic dyneema rope so if is snaps everything just drops.
I have the Rivian recovery kit so soft shackles are used as well.
I have Maxtrax and a shovel so I would remove material not just try to pull through it.
I have not used this gear with the Rivian yet but I have used similar equipment to keep my Unimog from rolling over and sliding downhill, while using a hi-lift jack (much more dangerous), to rotate the front end around to point downhill on Mount Hood.

SSteveEV · Oct 1, 2023

FooF said:
...but I have used similar equipment to keep my Unimog from rolling over and sliding downhill, while using a hi-lift jack (much more dangerous), to rotate the front end around to point downhill on Mount Hood.

Sounds like a fun day! Please send pics if that ever happens with your Rivian too

SACDFJC · Oct 1, 2023

FooF said:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00455VCTY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
3 Ton Ratchet Puller With 35' Of 5/16" Amsteel Blue
This is what I have for now until winch bumper is a product.

A Come A long is a budget approach if you cannot afford a REAL winch. I personally HATE them. I have used them multiple times. They are slow and sketchy at best. Save your pennies and buy a good quality winch (Warn). I gave my last come a long away. Just didn't feel comfy using it.

FooF · Oct 1, 2023

SACDFJC said:
A Come A long is a budget approach if you cannot afford a REAL winch. I personally HATE them. I have used them multiple times. They are slow and sketchy at best. Save your pennies and buy a good quality winch (Warn). I gave my last come a long away. Just didn't feel comfy using it.

It is slow and requires no external power except for me. I have plenty of pennies to spend when a good solution for the Rivian is available, until then this is just another piece of recovery gear when used properly is safe.

Hitch-mount Winch installed (with pics)

Carloc

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Count Orlok

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