Thanks Bill -- I'll look into that. It would be nice to not start and stop so much during a recovery.
Don,
I've switched my winch around now (from what you see in the photo) so it mounts to the front of the receiver tube, not the back. Mounted the way you see it in the picture renders 2 feet of deck space unusable. New way puts it in the space between the tow vehicle and the uprights (under the upper deck).
As far as mounting height, I guess it would depend on what you are planning on winching mostly and how far the attach point is off the ground. Too high and you will be lifting the tow as it approaches the winch fairlead rollers (or try to bend the bumper up on a vehicle if you've attached the hook to the axle or suspension). Too low and it will rub the cable too much on the lip of the beaver tail/end of the trailer as the tow approaches the ramps. Mine is set about a foot up from deck level. Which usually works okay and doesn't rub the beaver tail lip too much. You could mount a roller at the lip but I didn't because it would interfere with other things I use the trailer for (like pallet jacks loading pallets of vegetables, for example) so I live with a little bit of rubbing. So far, so good -- my cable is still pretty new looking after 10 years.
I can take some pictures this weekend, if you like of the whole rig in action to illustrate the set up -- Hambone and I will be recovering a '51 GMC 450.
I think a 12,000-lb winch should do just about anything you need to do with your rig.
I *do* remember that loadout -- One of the many things to love about a gooseneck -- You never have to worry about a vehicle running off the front of the trailer ...
JM
