taste vs. function?

[1shot]

I would like your opinion on something I'm considering.

The area I ride here is 95% loose granite gravel and is slicker than you know what.
It is hard ground covered with loose pea size gravel (like walking on concrete covered with marbles).
Anyways I do mostly trail riding / exploring and got myself in a mess this weekend.

While exploring this trail I went down an extremely sharp downhill across the creek and found myself at a hill I couldnt get up (about 50') I dont think a 4x4 could have it was too loose / steep/ rutted. Anyways I turned back and guess what.......I had the same problem on the other hill. Only 2 ways out and they both were unclimbable.

1st - I felt like a fool......
2nd - I wondered how I would get the trike out......
3rd - I wanted to be sure I never did it again.....

I had to walk back 3 miles to the truck and get rope, come-a-long, and pulleys.
then I had to rig it and pull it up the hill and I was pissed, tired, embarrassed, pissed, sweaty and pissed that I somehow got myself in this situation.

Anyways, I am thinking about getting a 1500 atv winch for the front rack like someone on here had installed. I know the front rack isn't that strong but I think it would hold up to pulling the trike up a hill should it come to that. It would look kinda outta place on the trike but not too bad I figure, It is a Big Red afterall.
I bet most of you all are against this but It really would be practical under my circumstances.
I'm not asking for approval really or even your opinion so much as was wondering how stron do you think the front rack is? It stands to reason a winch pulling from the rack would be no different than when I hooked the rope and come a long to the front rack and pulled it........ :wondering

[TRI Z Racer]

if i was gonna try and do something like that i wound make a mount that mounted the winch to the front forks, and not the racks. i would have it so it was atactched to the racks, but the load was being beared by the forks. You know what i mean?

[1984kxtTECATE]

Get some nice sand paddles, that will help a lot.

[atcmatt]

Pat's winch setup is great I reckon. The front rack on the bigred is not to be underestimated, they are pretty tough, I used the rack on my bigred once or twice to tow motorbikes out that were only accessable buy going in forward. If your not fussed by a slightly tweaked rack then go for it. It might also be a good idea to put the load onto the forks like Racer said.

Matt

[chris200x]

I've been in your situation quite a few times. I starting taking a come along and tow strap with me. You got a rear rack right? Put them in a backpack or buy one of those fancy rack bags and keep it strapped to the rear rack. It will be there whenever you need it.

[Maine_Triker]

The Big Red front rack shouldn't be underestimated, I think it is plenty stong to do what your saying. However just for some added protection I would (if I was you) give some of the load to the front forks. That way you can be sure nothing will break.

[thefox]

The rack should hold up fine, I wouldn't worry about it at all. Just don't try hanging it from a tree with the winch. :D

[Dammit!]

I've had my old 200x stuck in situations where I had to attach a tow line to the headlight guard. If the headlight guard can handle I'm sure a rack would be ok.

[brapp]

i have an old rack of of an o5 big red 250es you can cut up to make a good mountign plate, its pretty tweaked, but i'll gaivr it to you just pay shipping. that way i can just switch racks when * think you might need it.

[bigredhead]

For the times this will happen to you ( not very often i presume ) i'd say bungee a come-along to the back rack.. lighter, will get the job done in a pinch, and no electrical delemas.

[broncobeast32]

are there any pictures of this hill climb??

[ATC crazy]

I would use a sheet of 3/16" or so sheetmetal and fab it up so it could bolt to the forks using 4 "you"-bolts. (the filter edits the letter that sounds like "you" LMAO )