Warn 8274 Remote Wench Mount

[Big_Horn]

So, I came across a Warn 8274 for a song and a dance. The free spool knob was broken so a quick trip to Warn Industries I went for a top to bottom make over. I tell you, if you have a Warn wench that needs to be gone through, this is the ticket! The fella that works in the RMA department at Warn has been there for a thousand years, very knowledgeable and friendly. After a new knob, break/clutch assembly and a solenoid cover. I have me one of the most sought out wenches ever made.



I chose to go the remote mount because this was the most economical way to mount this wench. I ordered a front hitch from E-Trailers and sent out for the wench mount through Davesport, LLC -- Portable Winch Mount, Warn 8274. Looking at the mount, it looks pretty easy to make your own if you are half descent with a welder. I just didn’t have the time and patients to accomplish this.



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Now, Warn does not offer a remote mount for the 8274 for a good reason, the wench weighs 110lbs! It’s a back breaker for sure. I have almost 200 feet of 3/8ths cable on the spool, plus the roller and the mount. I have not had a chance to weigh it yet, but I am guessing it is around 150lbs. Mounting the hitch is pretty straight forward. A little cussing and a few busted knuckles later, it dropped right in. I used 1-0 battery cable and a quick disconnect, both pretty easy to get either online or a local battery distributor.

Having a hitch mounted wench comes with its pro’s and con’s. It takes only a few seconds to mount the wench, and when it’s not in use, is resides in the garage out of the weather. I can use it on either end of the truck, and if I had a car trailer, there would be a mount on it too. Some of the short-falls: the weak link is the receiver. I had to extend the receiver a few inches to clear the bumper and license plate, and the hitch is rated at 9000lbs of pulling force and 500lbs of tongue weight. The wench is a little too small for our trucks. Warn recommends a 1. 5 weight ratio, which means that we should have 12k or larger wench. To combat this, I can use snatch blocks to give a pulling force double or triple of what the wench is rated at. I just need to be careful not to rip off the hitch in the process.



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I thought this post might be interesting for some, and if you are interested in doing this, shoot me a private message… Big

 

[MVenditti]

I'd rather walk home and call tow truck than lift that. :{

 

[dkoldno7]

warn

Nice post that would come in handy in the bush,or the help gather fire wood fo sure!

 

[Crazy Horse]

I had to extend the receiver a few inches to clear the bumper and license plate

It sounds like you only had to extend the front hitch due to the clearance problems. . . . the rear cleared ok when you mounted the winch??

 

[Big_Horn]

the rear cleared ok when you mounted the winch??

Yes, the rear lined up with no issues. I may run into a snag if I end up with a larger spare tire. the stock hitch has a pass through design where as the front hitch has a plate on the back side of the reciever. The down fall of the wench on the rear hitch is that you are unable to open the tailgate and that it blocks your license plate (either end) You may upset Johnny law.

 

[Crazy Horse]

Well I'm pulling the trigger for one of these mounts. It's going on the back of the 02 to help on jobs on the property. As you can see it's been awhile since it's been mounted on a truck, but the winch is still like new. Still have the original lock for the winch bolt, snatch block, cover, and remote control. Thanks for the post here.

 

[Big_Horn]

no problem!!

 

[JZellers]

Nice setup. The way the mount is designed with handles it looks like it's fairly easy to lift into place. Plus you can keep it out of the weather when you don't need it. I had one of these winches on a Jeep over 30 years ago and it was very powerful and worked flawlessly.



If the wired remote becomes a pain to deal with, you can get a universal wireless remote. I use them on my electric boat winches and they work well. They're cheap and easy to install.