| Author | Message | ||
     Jay Reeves (Jay) New Member Username: Jay Post Number: 34 Registered: 10-2003 |
Anyone know of people having their winches ripped off? I heard a tale of someone parking at a mall and coming back and their winch was gone. Impact driver and less than a minute and you can be winch-less. Any ideas how to protect from this other than welding the bolts to the bumper? I've got an ARB bumper and Warn 8000. | ||
| Brian O'Connor (Hooky) Member Username: Hooky Post Number: 67 Registered: 09-2003 |
you took my line... a weld bead works magic. The winch on my Cruiser was exposed and as easy to get at as leaving it on a picnic table, I had two of the bolts done... Never had a problem in the 8 years I had it - but then I lived in Alaska then too... However if folks are carrying impact wrenches these days, then I'm sure they have a cutting wheel in their box as well. Insure it, or as they say in Egypt "um shalla" not spelled right I'm sure, but it means "God Willing" which means what happens is out of our individual control, what happens is what happens and it was Gods will that whatever happened was for a reason. Deep I know. Folks are going to steal what they are going to steal, or tear up whatever they can't steal. SO you know hakuna matata... | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 1356 Registered: 02-2002 |
You could put male torx bolts on instead of the usual hex bolts. That would stop most. | ||
| Max Thomason (Lrmax) Senior Member Username: Lrmax Post Number: 283 Registered: 11-2002 |
Here is how I look at it: That winch weights nearly 100 lbs, heavier if you are like me and got a Warn M12k. Now you would have to remove the bumper to get it out. My ARB is about another 100 lbs. Just think about how much trouble you went through to get that winch and bumper on. That is how much effort it is going to take to get it off so someone isn't just going "to walk by it and take it off" because it is on there pretty good. I remember it was a mega pain to put mine on and I dread the day when I've got to wiggle it off the truck. And I know what I am doing! For the most part... I've never had any problems and I do not recall anyone ever having their winch stolen just randomly off their truck. Now lights on the other hand can be quickly looted. I've had people attempt to mess with my winch before. But since the winch line was under a very slight load it could not be free spooled and the little f#$@ers couldn't pull the cable out. That is the only troubles I've had with dipshits and my winch outside of a recovery situation. Max T. | ||
| Ron L (Ronl) Senior Member Username: Ronl Post Number: 257 Registered: 11-2002 |
Dean, You're a genius Ron | ||
| Peter J Blatt (Peteb) Senior Member Username: Peteb Post Number: 321 Registered: 10-2002 |
Some bumpers now have skid plates that first need to be removed to remove winch, And the Dean suggestion is a good one! | ||
| Jay Reeves (Jay) New Member Username: Jay Post Number: 35 Registered: 10-2003 |
I got the ARB bumper and installed the winch after the bumper was on, so it'd be a breeze to take out - that's what worries me. I think going with a combo of Dean's and Brian's suggestions is it - use uncommon bolts and insure it. Max, are you saying that if there's enough load, the free-spool lever can't be thrown? I guess if that's the case and it's under enough tension, they can't get the winch off, right? | ||
| Pugsly (Pugsly) Senior Member Username: Pugsly Post Number: 264 Registered: 11-2002 |
At least for warn winches that is true - can't release the clutch under load. I think other brands may differ. It's a good practice to keep your winch line taught like that just to stop anyone from fooling with your gear (let alone ripping it off). | ||
| Max Thomason (Lrmax) Senior Member Username: Lrmax Post Number: 284 Registered: 11-2002 |
Jay, That is exactly what I am saying. I've tried to free spool the winch while it was under load and it wouldn't go. I've done this with my M12k and also when I was using a Warn XD9000 on the front of a D2. Yea, I've got some new synthetic rope. I'm sure no one what it is, but even still it would break my heart to loose it! Max T. | ||
| Jay Reeves (Jay) New Member Username: Jay Post Number: 37 Registered: 10-2003 |
Cool! So if I keep the line tight, the winch is probably safe...unless I have a synthetic rope, and then out comes the ol' pocket knife. Damned! I just ordered a synthetic rope last week. Of course, I guess if they really want the winch with a wire cable and they have impact drivers, they'll probably have bolt/cable cutters too. It's a losing battle. I'm off to up my insurance and find torx bolts. | ||
| Brian O'Connor (Hooky) Member Username: Hooky Post Number: 73 Registered: 09-2003 |
Jay I insure everything, even when I get laughed at. I was the only one with an insured snow machine - when I went on a rough ride with a huge group, all but four came back with some kind of damage. Not enough snow in the low areas outside Cantwell - the humocks ate us alive on the way out to the big snow. Most guys had busted hoods and minor stucture damage up front - mostly cosmetic, but to replace it new it would have run me 1100 bucks! Two weeks later guess who was the only geek with a sled that looked like new? ME. The rest of those cornholes rode busted up machines the rest of the year, and sold them penny's on the dollar come spring time... Just a motivational story and all... LOL | ||
| Donald McFarlane (Dsmcf) Member Username: Dsmcf Post Number: 73 Registered: 11-2003 |
I know this is going to sound like a dumb question, but how/where/what type of policy/what carrier would you use to insure vehicle mods and attachments? AIUI standard vehicle policies do not allow for more than a few hundred dollars of attachments to be insured. Contents yes (with very low limites), trailer yes, but stuff like radios, radios, radios, winches, fitted computers, lights, racks, etc. they won't even look at, when I have asked them. I would love to insure both attachments and contents, 'cos I leave a good amount of eqpt in my vehicle at all times. | ||
| Brian O'Connor (Hooky) Member Username: Hooky Post Number: 78 Registered: 09-2003 |
When you talk with your insurer, ask what items are included, give them examples. You may be surprised at what they will cover, as long as they are aware of it. If the item isn't covered, you can see about it by getting a "rider", just anadditional policy to cover the item. If your auto insurer will not cover it still, you may be able to get a rider on your home owners policy. Bottom line, be prepared to be on the phone for a while, ask lots of questions, and if you hit a dead end, all is not lost. I use USAA - they have been incredible... Good Luck! |
