Chevy & GMC Vans

What is the general winch capacity needed?
Astro weighs about 5,000 lb?

Thanks AP

Pondering the same question.

I'm over at expedition portal as well, have been for some time, great site.

I wouldn't doubt if you were advised to go with a 10,000# rig, you could shackle to a tree and pull someone else out.

However, I don't need to be the big dog, and every time I got stuck it didn't take that much to get me going again. I just don't drive in a 3 foot mud pit! Usually it's a simple straight line pull. but use the chart AstroWll linked to.

I think a 2,000# pull is usually enough to get my loaded F-150 rolling, my Astro is lighter than that truck.

When another vehicle lends a line for help, I doubt they pull more than 2 or 3,000 #, after all, you're not lifting the van, just pulling it. And what are you stuck in?

I got stuck more often in a Baja VW, I'd just get out and lift the front and head in a different direction, haven't been "that" stuck and don't plan on it......but, if I do with the van I think my little ATV winch at 2,500# would probably do the job, while driving too. It hooks into my hitch receiver.

I know the safety, shouldn't be trying to drive a recovery vehicle while using a winch, that cable could break and come through a windshield giving you a new face, just make sure you cover the line with a blanket or heavy tarp, I'll take that chance in a pinch.

I'm looking to get a winch now that I have a jeep and I'm thinking like Ozarker.
I want a hitch mounted winch as I would have many uses for it other than just a bumper ornament. Used on different vehicles and fixtures such as a trailer or with a tri pod or boom as a lift.
As he mentioned safety is paramount, common sense rules.
Common sense also applies to the purchase, if you think you'll need to lift your van vertically into the rescue chopper often, by all means get the 20,000 lb. rating.

Hi,
The synthetic line seems to be a good safety feature too, as well as being lighter than steel cable.

AP

Hi,
Drilled extra 9/16" holes and test fitted the Trail Gear 120116-1-kit.
I am studying specs on Warn 8000 and 10,000 RV winches with synthetic rope.

AP

I see no reason to go greater than a quality 8,000 lb winch. If you can't get yourself out with 16,000 lb worth of pull (double line), then maybe you are too stupid to be out in the woods in the first place. I've got to think too that given the capability of most 4x4 Astro/Safari vans, common sense will keep you from getting hopelessly stuck. (Now my new diesel Super Duty Crew Cab 4x4... it wouldn't be hard to be more than 16,000 lbs worth of stuck!)

Hi,
Trail Gear winch plate bolted to my heavy bumper with 8 grade 8 hex bolts.
In a few months maybe I will get 8,000 winch. My Astro is not doing extreme off roading. Winch would be for utility mostly .

AP

Hi,
2003 AWD with Trail Gear winch plate.

AP

Hi,

At pic your part I notice that 2wd Astro 2003 has better supports connecting sub frame cross member to another cross bar near the bumper. I will try to mount these 3 1/2 X 1 1/4 box tube steel tubes to my 2003 AWD.

AP.

Astrophysics wrote:Hi,

At pic your part I notice that 2wd Astro 2003 has better supports connecting sub frame cross member to another cross bar near the bumper. I will try to mount these 3 1/2 X 1 1/4 box tube steel tubes to my 2003 AWD.

AP.

Hey, that's handy to know. I'm going to have to start crawling under the RWD vans too...

Happy Birthday USA,
Happy 4 th of July,

America the Beautiful,

Bought the Warn VR12 S. It was only $150 more than VR8 S.

A quick comparison shows the 12 k winch has 2.6" drum vs 2.5 " on 8 and 10 k versions.'and the 12k has 1" wider motor for more windings.

Now I am reinforcing bumper mounts and adding anti rotation struts.

It Is interesting to note that the Warn 12k winch is secured to the winch plate with qty 4 grade 5 hex bolts, 3/8".

Wow, the Astro bumper connects to the frame with two 7/16 " bolts on drivers side and two on passenger side.

Oh well my custom set up with aluminum Romeo Rim safety bumper, I beam bumper has some interesting brackets in addition to the Overland lift kit bracket.

I really need to make a card board model and have a custom 1/4" adapter bracket fabricated. For now I beefed up the mounts by adding Simpson Tie 7 gauge steel angle, HL57.

Also, found that Astro has convenient OEM holes on top of the AWD front cross member. I plan to used the wire trip to pull in 1/2" hex bolts and attach a 16" long steel u channel to connect to top of bumper. This will be the anti rotation bracket.

More later.

AP

Hi,

More images.


AP

Anti rotation struts are about 16" long made of 1/2" X 2" steel U channel, and connect top of AWD cross member to upper part of bumper