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Since so much time has went by with no progress, I decided to purchase the whole kit from Rough Country. Everything should be here by the end of the week so I will post my reviews for it.
Rough Country Hidden Winch Mount
- OP 🔹 wheelin-amos
- Start date
- OP 🔹
- #62
Sorry, not yet. Zeon 12S was delivered today!
Debating on the Zeon 12-S Platinum model, which has the clutch controlled via remote and offers a few other features over the base 12-S.
Edit: I see people have had issues with the Platinum's wireless remote features with no wired remote capability for backup. Guess the base Zeon 12-S is the correct choice.
Edit: I see people have had issues with the Platinum's wireless remote features with no wired remote capability for backup. Guess the base Zeon 12-S is the correct choice.
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I like the ability to have the clutch controlled via remote, I just wish they kept an option to manually operate the clutch. Unless I’ve missed that and they do have that availability.
I edited my post above.
Just to be sure I am reading this correctly, the RC winch mount is compatible with a lot of other winches, thus giving us more options than the factory Warn.
Some are skeptical of the 1/4” steel plate, but others have commented is is basically what factory is. Overall most people think RC is a reputable company that should be putting out a good product as described.
No one has actually installed on to tell us what they have figured out. Bsktcase93 has the mount and the winch from RC on order and will do a video for all of us that are cheap and won’t give it a try.
That about sun up where we are at?
Some are skeptical of the 1/4” steel plate, but others have commented is is basically what factory is. Overall most people think RC is a reputable company that should be putting out a good product as described.
No one has actually installed on to tell us what they have figured out. Bsktcase93 has the mount and the winch from RC on order and will do a video for all of us that are cheap and won’t give it a try.
That about sun up where we are at?
The factory setup does bend though, especially with sideloads.
While my truck is a 2020 F250 but not a Tremor, I came across this post while researching this winch mount and noticed it had several folks asking about it. I just recently installed on my truck with a Smittybilt XRC Gen 3 12000 lb winch. My truck does not have an ACC module so I didn't have to deal with that. The included instructions were pretty lacking however after some trial and error, the mount itself fits like a champ. It tucks in nicely behind the bumper and can even re-use the whole plastic factory bumper trim panel, not just the sections around the tow hooks. The only issues I came across was the fairlead mount/bracket. With the Smittybilt winch, the free spool/lock lever would hit the bracket when turned to full lock. Using a cut-off wheel, I was able to just widen the already cut out area for the Rough County winch handle and it works great. I did not use the supplied bracket for the winch control box, instead I re-located mine into the engine bay after fabbing up a bracket near the radiator overflow, (Not quite finished with this part just yet). The main power and controller wires coming out of the Smittybilt get "pinched" by the fairlead bracket where I had to route them along the winch. I'm not sure how other winches would be in regards to this issue, but I used a couple washers as spacers since the inner factory tow hook bolts were long enough and gave me just enough clearance to not squish the wires. The Gen 3 is a wireless remote and since I re-located the control box I didn't use the supplied winch remote plug that came with the mount.
Unfortunately I didn't take any install pics along the way but there really isn't anything super special to it and even with the few hiccups using the non Rough Country winch, for the price it really doesn't seem like it can be beat. I ordered directly from Rough County and with their free standard shipping it was delivered the following day so can't even complain there either. Like I mentioned, I know this is a Tremor specific forum but thought maybe this could help others if they're wondering......
Unfortunately I didn't take any install pics along the way but there really isn't anything super special to it and even with the few hiccups using the non Rough Country winch, for the price it really doesn't seem like it can be beat. I ordered directly from Rough County and with their free standard shipping it was delivered the following day so can't even complain there either. Like I mentioned, I know this is a Tremor specific forum but thought maybe this could help others if they're wondering......
Thanks for the helpful Post on this winch mount. Have you been able to use the winch since install? I think one of the big concerns is the possibility of some of the mount bending under heavy side loads.
So I'm by no means any sort of engineer or metallurgy expert but just looking at the mount it's almost double the thickness of the frame rails it bolts to. It also bolts into the upper cross member behind it so it's attached from the sides and back. If I had to guess if it bends it'll be taking the frame or a portion of it with it, (just assuming the frame would bend before the mount actually does). I could see the fairlead bracket bending under a severe hard side winching scenario, especially since I opened up the one side just a tad to accommodate the free spool handle. I will say all my winching experience is from more dedicated 4x4 rigs with actual bumpers designed for that purpose and stick out a bit from the front of the rigs. Since this mount/winch sits behind the bumper, my thought would be it could/would hit the bumper in a side winching type thing? All this is speculation since I haven't really "tested" this mount but it seems to get pretty good reviews in other applications so I'm hoping it's the same for these Super Duty's.....hopefully I never really have to find out it's limits
Looking forward to install photos and videos, and then putting it to the test.
To anyone that has already installed it do you have a diesel or gas motor not sure if it makes a difference. I could not for the life of me get the mount in place even after talking with customer support. The main plate for the winch hits the bottom brace of the radiator. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I’m gotta attempt it again this weekend. Also if you already installed can you take pictures
What one do you have? Diesel or gas?
I have a diesel
No clue, but is it possible you got the wrong part number or a mislabeled box shipped?
I have no experience, but I’m very interested in this for my 22 f350 diesel
I have gone through many winches over the years and now almost exclusively use the smittybilt x20 waterproof units. Similar to a zeon at a fraction of the price and have been quite impressed and had no major issues with it. I do disassemble the unit and grease it/check the seals every year or two but overall has beeen better than any warn/rc/ budget brand winches ive had.It did! But so did my Warn winch after 15 months of being installed. Sure my failure was corrosion, not mechanical, but it still resulted in a dead winch that couldn't be used after just 15 months. And it could have failed in the field; thankfully failed during my inspections while servicing the truck.
(Worth noting there was corrosion found inside the "sealed" motor housing. Not a user serviceable area.)
Casey LaDelle has sworn off Warn winches because they failed multiple times on him, and now exclusively uses Harbor Freight Badland Apex for his towing and recovery business.
Matt's Offroad Recovery exclusively uses Badland Apex winches for his towing and recovery business (though I don't know if he experienced failures with other brands, or just moved because of value).
Etc.
So...buyer beware of Warn!!
Not saying Badland Apex is the perfect choice for everyone. Also not saying Warn should be avoided. I am saying Apex is pretty clearly in a different reputation category than the other cheap winches (Smittybilt, Rough Country, etc), fitting in with the premium winches.
Found an install video on YouTube. Looks like this has lots of helpful info with plate/bracket placement that could save us time trying to figure it out on the fly.
I was just going to post this video. good find!!!
Does your product look like the above video? Maybe this will be helpful for you, and please let us know if it works. I’ll be ordering this in July if I see a 22 with diesel make it work. And finding out if other winches fit would just be a bonus to broaden our options
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