H3/H3T Front Receiver Hitch & Winch Options

[Bigunit]

I saw that this topic came up in another thread & didn't want to hijack the thread but this is a good topic for discussion and ideas as an option for those who want to maintain the stock look, not drastically affect the approach angle of their rig and be able to run a winch.

This is a custom designed front receiver hitch mount on AZtraveler's H3T. The receiver sits up a little higher on this design and does not alter the approach angle like other custom-fabbed H3 front receiver hitches.

Aztraveler uses his front hitch for his winch cradle (like the one below) & to tow his 3T behind his RV.

The brackets that you see in the pic below are Blue Ox tow bar brackets and replace the OEM tow hooks bolted in the frame base plates.

This is a real clean & simple design that, if you don't need to add the tow bar brackets, you can still use the OEM tow hooks with - but you should also think about welding on a set of Ridge Demon frame plate supports for added strength.

If anyone has any other pics, ideas or something similar, please post-up. What are the pros & cons to a set-up like this?

I think KS Trekker has done someting like this.

 

[08SolarFlareH3]

Currently this is the option I am looking at and like it best because I like the fact you only have the weight on the front end when you need it and the other 99% of the time it can be in the cargo area. You would also have the choice of mounting on the rear hitch for recovery also. There are no front hitch mounts on the market (that I know of) that don't affect the approach angle. The Curt Manufacturing one will be in the way all the time and kill approach angle but I have seen several nice custom units. Here are pictures of the H3 that GM/HUMMER had at MOAB in 2008. If I go this route, this is the front hitch I am going to try and replicate.

 

[08SolarFlareH3]

Little bigger picture

 

[autumn walker]

This is a custom designed front receiver hitch mount on AZtraveler's H3T. The receiver sits up a little higher on this design and does not alter the approach angle like other custom-fabbed H3 front receiver hitches.

Would this be strong enough to pull against with a winch? I would be worried about the bar flexing! This would be fantastic though as I'd like to remove my winch when not in use.

 

[alrock]

A few people have mounted a receiver between the frame rails and then cut a hole through the bumper cover/splash shield. There's also a used Warn winch cradle for sale on Craigslist in Phoenix, $50

 

[08SolarFlareH3]

I almost forgot about JRuss front receiver, very similar to the one I posted above.

 

[JGBB04]

Mine's similar to AZ's, simple to mount & no modification to the truck. I'm going to flip it so the hitch is on top, the way it is now is fine w/ out the winch on but cuts clearance too much w/ it on. I will be adding the RD frame plates just in case but haven't had a problem yet.

 

[Bigunit]

JGBB04,
That looks great! More and more, I'm thinking that I will be going with that set-up for my 3T

 

[FormerUser]

Does anyone have any idea what GM used/did to make this setup up work? I'd like to go this route as well - more so since it would be easier to see Santa Claus than it would be to get a DOI winch mount. If anyone was willing to pursue this - I'd be up for purchasing one. I do not have the fab skills need for such a endeavor.

 

[alrock]

I think this product may fit the H3 http://www.etrailer.com/Front-Hitch/Curt/31270.html. It may line up with stock holes, but according to their site all you need to do is modify the front bumper cover.

 

[FormerUser]

Why the hell do I have to re-login after 15mins of inactivity?? Anyway, I took a look at the link you provided, and followed it for a bit - there are actually installations instructions that go with it, and they show that cutting into the lower skid plate is need - which would COMPLETLY destroy the smoothness of front lower skid plate. Which is a deal breaker for me. http://www.etrailer.com/instructions.aspx?pn=31270

 

[JGBB04]

There was someone on the forums several years back that got one like that & it totaly kills your clearance. When I was looking for a front hitch I found a few of the normal manufacturers had them but they were all like that. The only way I've seen to add a hitch & keep good clearance is a custom job. Mine & AZ's are the only 2 I've seen that didn't require moding the truck.

I Found the old post he did a whole install write up on, It's on CHO if Mods are ok w/ it I'll post the link

 

[M22KLARS]

Oh I remember that....

 

[M22KLARS]

Why the hell do I have to re-login after 15mins of inactivity?? Anyway, I took a look at the link you provided, and followed it for a bit - there are actually installations instructions that go with it, and they show that cutting into the lower skid plate is need - which would COMPLETLY destroy the smoothness of front lower skid plate. Which is a deal breaker for me. http://www.etrailer.com/instructions.aspx?pn=31270

Do you have "remember me" checked?

 

[Paladine71]

I only plan on using a front hitch for light loads on occasion (such as a small plow). Since I use the CBphoto High Mount for my winch, I went with a Reese Towpower 81378 Step Bumper Hitch Receiver attached to the bottom of the mount.

One of the best things about the High Mount is that it doesn't affect approach angle at all. To add a little extra protection, I added a Reese Towpower 6771 Front Mount Skid Plug.

I haven't tested it yet, but I know the mount will hold. I've put some very heavy loads on it with no issues so far.

This is how it looks from a distance, very clean.

 

[FormerUser]

That looks spandiferious! - but it would negate the use of my grill mounted off road lights. I've been posting over in the other thread as well - perhaps I and 08Solar will have to get together and make something. I'd love to take a look at the write-up that was done. If you can't post the link, could you pm me the address and I'll view it myself? BTW I got the mud flaps - thanks! I just need to scare up some hardware and they'll be installed.

 

[Portager]

I looked into the receiver winch mount option before I decided to get the DOI bumper. I liked the idea that I could move it from the front to the back and have a winch on both ends. However, to get most of the clearance back I'd need to stow it in the bed so it would be taking up cargo space. What killed the idea for me was the weight. The Warn XD9000i Multi Mount http://www.warn.com/fire_rescue/XD9000i_multi-mount_winch.shtml weighs 104 lbs. It would be hard to get it out and carry to the front on rough terrain. Also, it needs to be secured for transit.

 

[FormerUser]

I had the same mount on my '09 Silverado HD, ad the same winch - yes it weighed a ton. I ended up also storing it in the bed, and not using it much. By stepping down to a M8000 I'm saving about 23lbs, which should make it more manageable - I hope.

 

[08SolarFlareH3]

Does anyone have any idea what GM used/did to make this setup up work? I'd like to go this route as well - more so since it would be easier to see Santa Claus than it would be to get a DOI winch mount. If anyone was willing to pursue this - I'd be up for purchasing one. I do not have the fab skills need for such a endeavor.

I've been posting over in the other thread as well - perhaps I and 08Solar will have to get together and make something.

I got a 2nd front bumper cover that I hopefully can pick up this weekend (Thanks gfbh3t). Its something I can easily fabricate. It would mount between the frame rails with 4 bolts like the curt manufacturing unit but it would sit up much higher like the one in the pictures I posted. If its something you are seriously interested in, once I get mine fabricated it won't take much to build a 2nd (or even 3rd). It would require removal of the factory "crash bar" if your vehicle is 08 or newer like mine but that's no big deal (would have to be removed with the DOI bumper also). I guess I need to pick up some supplies this weekend.

 

[Bigunit]

I'd be interested in one. Let me know what you need. Thank you. Or, in the alternative, a detailed DIY thread with pics would be very helpful.

 

[08SolarFlareH3]

I'd be interested in one. Let me know what you need. Thank you. Or, in the alternative, a detailed DIY thread with pics would be very helpful.

Some people (probably most) don't know but I do a little fabrication on the side :wink:

Some older pictures of the shop and one of our projects (1930 Chevrolet Roadster)

*edit
One of our completed projects (1932 Chevrolet 5 Window Coupe)

 

[Portager]

I had the same mount on my '09 Silverado HD, ad the same winch - yes it weighed a ton. I ended up also storing it in the bed, and not using it much. By stepping down to a M8000 I'm saving about 23lbs, which should make it more manageable - I hope.

The M8000 weighs 74 lbs http://www.warn.com/truck/winches/src/M8000.shtml with 100' of 5/16" cable whereas the XD9000i weighs 85 lbs http://www.warn.com/truck/winches/src/XD9000i.shtml with 125' of 5/16" cable. So your saving 11 lbs. The cable weighs 0.164 lbs per foot so 4.1 lbs of the 11 lb weight savings is due to the shorter cable.

An 8,000 lbs winch is pretty marginal for a 6,000 lb vehicle. You could get away with it if you always use a snatch block but you will be doubling up the already short cable.

The weight of 5/16" AmSteel®-Blue is 2.7 lbs per 100' http://www.samsonrope.com/index.cfm?rope=192 or 0.027 lbs/ft. So the weight savings of switching from steel to synthetic is 0.137 lbs/ft. The steel cable on the XD9000 weighs 20.5 lbs so replacing it with 100' of synthetic saves 17.8 lbs yielding an 67.2 lb winch. Likewise replacing the steel cable on the M8000 saves 13.7 lbs yielding 60.3 lb winch.

Personally, I’d go with the XD9000i and replace the steel cable with 125' of 5/16" synthetic, but the XD9000i Multi Mount would still weigh 87 lbs. The Multi Mount with the M8000 would weigh 79.3 lbs. Either one isn't bad for 2 people but lifting it into the bed single handed is going to be tough not to mention sliding it into the receiver! At least with the H3 you don't need to lift it as high as for the H3T, but the H3 has less cargo space.

Sounds to me like you're going to have another winch that you don't use much.

 

[f5moab]

Heck, just store it to the roof rack....

Not sure where you guys off-road, but remember, if stuck in mud, the suction can add a lot to the equivalent of weight when winching; therefore, the custom 1.5 factor for a winch is not valid. (Once read somewhere up to fifty percent of the vehilce's weight in very deep thick mud.)

So, if after adding parts to H3 SUV, you do boost the weight to 6K (curb weight I believe is around 4700), and using the standard factor of 1.5 for a winch, 9K is minimum.

 

[prc]

I got a 2nd front bumper cover that I hopefully can pick up this weekend (Thanks gfbh3t). Its something I can easily fabricate. It would mount between the frame rails with 4 bolts like the curt manufacturing unit but it would sit up much higher like the one in the pictures I posted. If its something you are seriously interested in, once I get mine fabricated it won't take much to build a 2nd (or even 3rd). It would require removal of the factory "crash bar" if your vehicle is 08 or newer like mine but that's no big deal (would have to be removed with the DOI bumper also). I guess I need to pick up some supplies this weekend.

I'd be interested as well..

 

[Portager]

Heck, just store it to the roof rack....

Not sure where you guys off-road, but remember, if stuck in mud, the suction can add a lot to the equivalent of weight when winching; therefore, the custom 1.5 factor for a winch is not valid. (Once read somewhere up to fifty percent of the vehilce's weight in very deep thick mud.)

So, if after adding parts to H3 SUV, you do boost the weight to 6K (curb weight I believe is around 4700), and using the standard factor of 1.5 for a winch, 9K is minimum.

Good points f5moad. If your winch lugs down under the load, then add a snatch block to increase the mechanical advantage and avoid burning out the winch.

As a general rule of thumb, I use the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), which for the H3 is 6,001, so a 9,000 lb winch is marginal and anything less than 9,000 lbs is inadequate. I was being nice when I said it was really marginal. It is not!

To show how easily you can reach or exceed the GVWR. The H3 curb weight is 4,695 (I'm sure we are all over that by a little), add 23 gallons of gas at 6.2 lbs/gallon, 4 guys at 200 lbs each and your left with 354 lbs for all your gear and upgrades. :whaa: