Winch mounted in bed

I'm looking to mount a small winch in the bed of my truck to easily load my jon boat. Any thoughts on how I could accomplish? I'm looking to mount on either the wall or floor of the bed (wall preferably). I use a hitch extender and would love to have a winch just pull it up for me instead of having to lift.

 

I wonder if this would work? You can mount it to the bed track system wit T-nuts....if you have the system.

 

Just be aware that the front track is held onto the bed wall with only 5 screws. I'm not sure how well that would support the strain of a winch operating, although you could always add more screws.

I just installed a piece of e-track to my front wall using 10 T-nuts. I don't plan on putting much strain on it, but if you also ran a bunch of self-tap screws into the bottom of the e-track and then mount a winch to it that might spread the load better. Amazon has bolt-on connectors that allow attaching all kinds of things to e-tracks.

$46 AUTOSwpozo 12 Pack E-Track Connector, Bolt-on Steel Cargo Securement Connector for Enclosed Trailers, Trucks, Trailers, Vans, Garages, E-Track Accessory

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGLYHW63/?coliid=I2VIL9AW6I8TCH&colid=11MYRS0SXE12P

 

The front of the bed is just sheet metal. I would not attach much to the front of the bed. It will bend easily.

I would look at a piece of say 2x2 steel tubing that attaches to the tracks on the sides of the bed. Or maybe use the tie down hooks. Mount the winch to that.

 

Didn't even know it was legal to have cargo extending that far out of the bed.

 

I think I'll hold off on the track mounted option since the winch is gonna have some pretty good pull to get the boat up into the extension first. I found this picture but can figure out what they ratcheted to. I like this idea to easily remove.

 

I bet they hooked those to the tie downs that are in the front of the bed. They will hold a pretty good load.