42 Pilot Model HUP Project

[Bob Carriere]

Hi David

Was nice to see you last week.

Winch is a 9000 pounds single pull model from Princess Auto...... doubled with pulley block claimed to pull 18,000.

All I can say is that when you try pulling a cab 13 dump truck frozen to the ground it pulled the Ford and the trailer backwards and the CMP was still not moving. So we tied the front of the Ford to a tank and broke the icy grip on the CMP by jacking the cab 13 sideways with sheepherders jacks..... and broke one of the jacks. Once freed up the winch just pulled it on the Trailer.

Power to the winch is by means of two 25 feet sections of #2 welding cables...fortunately the Ford diesel has two large batteries.

It has proven to be a reliable workhorse on our many recoveries some of which the CMP tires were either flat or the wheels rusted solid.

Prices have dropped considerably over the last 5 years ..... $500 to 600 will now get you a 13,500 single pull winch at PA.

My trailer is rated at 9900 pounds to beat some regulation. I have had slightly over the capacity a few time.....but do not make it a common practice.

I consider that over the years it has served us well and saved a lot of aching muscles. It is now due for a total repaint / rewiring.

Bob

[RHClarke]

My focus today was on the driver's side door for the Pilot Model. It was in better shape than the pax side door but requires some repair.

I decided to cut out the rusty metal along the straight edges and to fill in the pin holes along the curved edge. After about an hour or so of welding and grinding I managed to weld up most of the pin holes along the curved edge. I think I just may be getting the hang of welding thin rusty metal. Right now, I am convinced that it would have taken more time to fab up a curved section to weld in than to fill in the holes. However, there is some cosmetic work still to be done, but I will get to that later on.

Right now I am happy with the progress - such as it is.

Photos:

1 - Dvr side door showing extent of damage (circled).
2 - Damage on curved edge.
3 - Damage on lower corner.
4 - Curved section almost completed.

[david moore]

Bob - thanks for info re winch. Is it "hard wired" into your truck electrics or do you have separate battery? Photo would be good if you can find the trailer in the snow!

[Bob Carriere]

Hi David

The wiring was kept as simpleand flexible as possible.

Fortunately the Ford diesel has two large batteries. I choose to build my own double cable using twin lenghts of #2 welding cable for Princess Auto.

Installed huge alligator clamps similar to bosster cable at one end and welding cable extension connectors near the winch. That allowed me to set up the connectors to guarantee the polarity would always be the same. The connectors are rubber colored solid brass insert, twist 90 degrees and the lock in place.

Havng that flexibility to run the cable along side the truck allows the traielr to be used by my truck or Grant's truck or to remove the winch from the trailer and use it in other circumstances.

Which brings me to the winch installed on the front of the trailer.
I choose to fabricate a solid removable stand alone table to the winch. Made from tick walled steel tubing.....actually 1/4 inch trailer receiver hitch stock as it has to hold up to a lot of pulling. The whole arrangement is slipped on, dropped down on tubing welded to the frame of the trailer. It is a heaby two man job but the winch can be removed in a matter of minutes from the trailer........ in a tight pinch deep inside a junk yard I could remove the winch.........back up the truck to the victim with out the trailer and tie the winch to the traielr hitch of the truck and pull away.

Not sure I can dig out the trailer to take pictures.... it is a frozen mess out there. Will see if I have pictures in my files.

In any event Spring will come and you are always welcomed to the barn.
In fact if you ever decide to do a similar set up I would be happy to build and instal it for you as I enjoy that kind of thing.

Bob

[david moore]

Hi Bob

Thanks for good info. My small hand winch is set up much as you describe with a pretty beefy receiver - which might be good enough. My trailer likewise is buried in snow - I'll photo in the spring and then we can discuss. Might well take you up on the fit-up offer - in the warm season though! I havent bought a power winch yet so lots of time.

My F8 now runs very nicely - look forward to getting it to a show or whatever next season - some occasion when Mike the Big Gun has his C8 there!

Cheers

[Bob Carriere]

Don't tell anyone,,,,,shhhhhhhttttt but we are planning a Big Bad Bob Beer and Burgers BBQ for June 16th weekend 2013.........



I would love to give you a hand installing a winch on your trailer. If all you will be carrying is your jeep and F8..... both of which are rolling...... you would not need a heavy set up...... mind you once you have it you may be tempted to do some weird recovery....... but then if it is too big you can always call on the Hammond gang.

Bob

[david moore]

Hi Bob

I can keep a secret about BBBB&B BBQ! Only jeep and F8 load you are right, although the latter is too much for my little hand winch but the receiver for it is pretty sturdy. No intention of hauling rusty metal out of the bush!