• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

X-Bull 13.5 Winch


85_Ranger4x4

Wallows in rivers
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
34,009
Reaction score
21,947
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
Yeah, don't forget about all the junk loaded in the vehicle for a trip. Use that number rather than the empty weight of the truck as the measurement to work off of. Sure there is a margin of error built into the spec of the winch but the added weight is eating into that safety factor.
It's kind of a fuzzy thing too. Dragging a 5k truck in neutral onto a car trailer is different than dragging a dead truck with a flat tire up a rockface which is different than dragging a truck that is helping out of the mud.

But wait, now your buddy just buried his 7k F-150...

And on top of all that, just because you can hang a 13k winch on your bumper that doesn't mean your bumper can take it either.
 
Last edited:

Curious Hound

Formerly EricBphoto
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
TRS 25th Anniversary
Joined
Feb 7, 2016
Messages
17,142
Reaction score
20,143
Age
60
Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
It's kind of a fuzzy thing too. Dragging a 5k truck in neutral onto a car trailer is different than dragging a dead truck with a flat tire up a rockface which is different than dragging a truck that is helping out of the mud.

But wait, now your buddy just stalled in the river
FIFY
 

85_Ranger4x4

Wallows in rivers
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
34,009
Reaction score
21,947
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
I don't think my winch would have done me much good if I was by myself.

But if I was by myself I would have thought "that's a weird place for a road to end" and turned around.
 

Robertmangrum.rm

Wannabe Overlander
TRS Event Staff
Article Contributor
RBV's on Boost
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 8, 2021
Messages
1,717
Reaction score
2,428
Age
49
Location
Tennessee
Vehicle Year
2020
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2.5 level kit with rear add a leaf appox. 1.5
Tire Size
285/75r17
My credo
Buy it, build it, and drive it like you stole it
Yeah, don't forget about all the junk loaded in the vehicle for a trip. Use that number rather than the empty weight of the truck as the measurement to work off of. Sure there is a margin of error built into the spec of the winch but the added weight is eating into that safety factor.
I always try and use a tree saver and snatch block to double pull when possible too. Most my weight stays in the truck full time. Just the tent and camping tub go in for trip. Everything else is built in. I need to get by and weigh it. The dump will let me drive over their scales for free. Always ask if I owe them anything. She always tells me no I didn't dump anything. I haven't done my truck. But I did do both Sprinter van builds and a few other work builds.
 

Robertmangrum.rm

Wannabe Overlander
TRS Event Staff
Article Contributor
RBV's on Boost
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 8, 2021
Messages
1,717
Reaction score
2,428
Age
49
Location
Tennessee
Vehicle Year
2020
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2.5 level kit with rear add a leaf appox. 1.5
Tire Size
285/75r17
My credo
Buy it, build it, and drive it like you stole it
I don't think my winch would have done me much good if I was by myself.

But if I was by myself I would have thought "that's a weird place for a road to end" and turned around.
I see those crossings and I'm like a kid in the candy store haha. I love that stuff. Your winch would have been fine though. Long as you had enough line to reach an anchor point. There were plenty of trees on the other side. I have a short like 10ft 30k lb tree saver a 7000lb tow rope ( without hooks) left over from the SxSs and a 30ft 30k tow rope. I've had to use the 30 ft as a tree saver/ correct pull agle with snatch block more than once to recover some one.

My winch tray says it rated for a 16.5k straight pull tested.
 
Last edited:

85_Ranger4x4

Wallows in rivers
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
34,009
Reaction score
21,947
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
I see those crossings and I'm like a kid in the candy store haha. I love that stuff. Your winch would have been fine though. Long as you had enough line to reach an anchor point. There were plenty of trees on the other side. I have a short like 10ft 30k lb tree saver a 7000lb tow rope ( without hooks) left over from the SxSs and a 30ft 30k tow rope. I've had to use the 30 ft as a tree saver/ correct pull agle with snatch block more than once to recover some one.
The length was the thing. It would have been an easy pull but getting across the river and beach would have been a decent reach.
 

Robertmangrum.rm

Wannabe Overlander
TRS Event Staff
Article Contributor
RBV's on Boost
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 8, 2021
Messages
1,717
Reaction score
2,428
Age
49
Location
Tennessee
Vehicle Year
2020
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2.5 level kit with rear add a leaf appox. 1.5
Tire Size
285/75r17
My credo
Buy it, build it, and drive it like you stole it
All the overlanders follow advocate short pulls with a cool off period, regardless of the winch brand.
That's how I was taught. I was also taught to raise my hood.
 

sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
TRS 25th Anniversary
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
14,355
Reaction score
15,663
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
I always try and use a tree saver and snatch block to double pull when possible too. Most my weight stays in the truck full time. Just the tent and camping tub go in for trip. Everything else is built in. I need to get by and weigh it. The dump will let me drive over their scales for free. Always ask if I owe them anything. She always tells me no I didn't dump anything. I haven't done my truck. But I did do both Sprinter van builds and a few other work builds.
I did that with the utility trailer. They only charge if you ask for a printout. Once I get the 2019 kitted out, I want to weigh it too, even though I don't have a winch yet. That includes having the fuel can and water containers full. I'll have a good idea before hand but there is a bunch of little stuff like shovels, straps, and so on that aren't accounted for. It all adds up.
 

sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
TRS 25th Anniversary
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
14,355
Reaction score
15,663
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
I see those crossings and I'm like a kid in the candy store haha. I love that stuff. Your winch would have been fine though. Long as you had enough line to reach an anchor point. There were plenty of trees on the other side. I have a short like 10ft 30k lb tree saver a 7000lb tow rope ( without hooks) left over from the SxSs and a 30ft 30k tow rope. I've had to use the 30 ft as a tree saver/ correct pull agle with snatch block more than once to recover some one.

My winch tray says it rated for a 16.5k straight pull tested.
I have a bunch of 20' straps and a tree saver at the moment along with aluminum dog bones to link them all together. I do need to pick up a few shackles yet though. Winching with a farm jack isn't fun and takes forever but it can be done.
 

snoranger

Professional money waster
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
TRS 25th Anniversary
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
13,560
Reaction score
15,171
Location
Jackson, NJ. And Manahawkin too.
Vehicle Year
'79,'94,'02,'23
Make / Model
All Fords
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
I didn't ask for your life story, just answer the question!
You also have to take layer loss into your calculations. Warn claims about a 15% loss per layer. Their Zeon8 (8000 lb) is rated for:

Layer 1 - 8000 lbs
Layer 2 - 6777 lbs
Layer 3 - 5878 lbs
Layer 4 - 5189 lbs
 

Uncle Gump

Boomers gotta Boom
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
TRS 25th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
15,309
Reaction score
15,994
Location
Ottawa IL
Vehicle Year
2006/1986
Make / Model
Ranger/BroncoII
Engine Size
4.0L SOHC/2.9L
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Lead follow or get out of my way
I have a bunch of 20' straps and a tree saver at the moment along with aluminum dog bones to link them all together. I do need to pick up a few shackles yet though. Winching with a farm jack isn't fun and takes forever but it can be done.
I thought about farm jack winching myself out of trouble for about 17 seconds... then just clicked BUY on my new winch.
 

lil_Blue_Ford

Cut & Weld
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
TRS 25th Anniversary
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
9,673
Reaction score
8,292
Location
Butler, PA, USSA
Vehicle Year
00
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0l
Transmission
Automatic
Total Drop
4”
You also have to take layer loss into your calculations. Warn claims about a 15% loss per layer. Their Zeon8 (8000 lb) is rated for:

Layer 1 - 8000 lbs
Layer 2 - 6777 lbs
Layer 3 - 5878 lbs
Layer 4 - 5189 lbs
That’s a pretty significant loss and I’d suspect it’s largely true across all winches since they are usually all rated at max pull on the first wrap layer.
 

lil_Blue_Ford

Cut & Weld
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
TRS 25th Anniversary
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
9,673
Reaction score
8,292
Location
Butler, PA, USSA
Vehicle Year
00
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0l
Transmission
Automatic
Total Drop
4”
I thought about farm jack winching myself out of trouble for about 17 seconds... then just clicked BUY on my new winch.
I’ve tried the come-along method before. Farm Jack may be a little better. Neither is anywhere as nice as a winch, even an underpowered one can do the job with enough back and forth lacing
 

snoranger

Professional money waster
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
TRS 25th Anniversary
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
13,560
Reaction score
15,171
Location
Jackson, NJ. And Manahawkin too.
Vehicle Year
'79,'94,'02,'23
Make / Model
All Fords
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
I didn't ask for your life story, just answer the question!
That’s a pretty significant loss and I’d suspect it’s largely true across all winches since they are usually all rated at max pull on the first wrap layer.
Yes, 12 to 15% is the rule of thumb for any winch. When calculating a pull you alway estimate on the high side. If you think the vehicle weighs 5800 lbs, it’s 6000. If it’s 12% loss, you use 15%. You alway want that slight safety margin.
 

sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
TRS 25th Anniversary
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
14,355
Reaction score
15,663
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
I thought about farm jack winching myself out of trouble for about 17 seconds... then just clicked BUY on my new winch.
I need a bumper or front receiver first. Money that could go for that is going into the 2019.

The one time I did use that method was on a gravel driveway with a small slope. It wasn't fun and it was a lot of work. Throw a mud trail with a bunch of rocks and ruts, it would be a bad day.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Today's birthdays

TRS Events

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Year


Kirby N.
2024 Truck of The Year!

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Vagabond Video

TRS Merchandise

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Sponsors


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Sponsored Ad

Top