The 5 Best Universal Winch Mounting Plates of 2024
If you’re an off-road enthusiast like us, every part of your drive matters. Your winch can get you out of a real pickle, so setting it on a sturdy mounting plate is very important.
On this page, we’ve reviewed the best plates available this year that we have tested on our collective adventures. Let’s get into it!
Our Top List
# | Preview | Product | Our Rating | Link |
1 |  | Ecotric 10x 4 1/2 Cradle Universal Winch Mount | ||
2 |  | Fieryred Universal Cradle Mounting Plate for Recovery Winches | ||
3 |  | Rough Country Hidden Mounting Plate | ||
4 |  | Rough Country Hidden Mounting Plate | ||
5 |  | Badland Winches ATV/Utility Plate |
1. Ecotric 10x 4 1/2 Cradle Universal Winch Mount
This winch mounting plate works well for UTVs or any type of vehicle you have, and there are several reasons why this particular product made it to the top of our list. First, this mounting plate has a very solid construction that comes made out of ⅕-inch stainless steel that is coated with an anti-rust powder. This powder can ensure that it can withstand corrosion, rust, and harsh weather conditions without failing, and you can use it over and over again without worrying about wearing out certain parts or having issues with the durability factor.
This winch mounting plate can also pull extremely heavy objects that range from 8,000 to 12,000 pounds to allow you to tackle a huge range of projects without running into problems, and it has a maximum pull capacity that tops out at 13,000 pounds. It can work flawlessly when you take on large-scale projects without breaking down, and it won’t break your budget to buy it.
Key Features:
- Maximum Pulling Capacity: 13,000 pounds
- Protective Finish: Yes
- Warranty: One year from purchase date
Pros
- Can pull up to 13,000 pounds
- 1/5-inch stainless steel construction
- Anti-rust coating
- Can take on large and small-scale projects
- Universal fit
Cons
- Cable rubs a bit when you spool it out or in
2. Fieryred Universal Cradle Mounting Plate for Recovery Winches
This is a winch mounting plate that is a solid choice if you want to securely and safely mount your electric winch because it’s made out of a solid piece of steel that has an electrostatic spray painting coating that gives it excellent corrosion resistance. This product comes designed to go above and beyond taxing situations to ensure long-lasting performance and reliability, and it’s a universal design that is perfect for use on SUVs, trucks, pickups, Jeep, ATV, UTV, 4×4, 4WD vehicles, trailers, and more. It has multiple mounting holes on it that make it compatible with any winch that has load capacities starting at 9,000-pounds and going up to 16,500-pounds.
You’ll get pre-drilled M10 and M19 bolt holes that make the entire installation process very easy and quick once you get it, and the plate will hold strong even after you’ve pulled your truck or trailer out of the mud. You can directly bolt this universal plate cradle directly to your vehicle’s rear, or you can drill it out to fit other winches or vehicles for a secure fitting.
Key Features:
- Maximum Pulling Capacity: 16,500 pounds
- Protective Finish: Yes
- Warranty: Two years from purchase date
Pros
- Can pull up to 16,500 pounds
- Durable metal construction
- Anti-rust coating
- M10 and M19 bolt holes
- Can mount to the rear and front of the vehicle
Cons
- Difficult to drill other holes
3. Rough Country Hidden Mounting Plate
You can easily give your vehicle a sleek and durable recovery system that blends seamlessly with a huge range of factory aesthetics, and this is a very convenient winch mounting plate that lets you add a standard-size winch to your vehicle without any damage or overloading it. It lends an aggressive and interesting look to the front of your vehicle while allowing you to get out of any tough spots you might run into when you’re off on your adventure, and it has an on-bolt installation process that makes it quick and easy to add it to your car without worrying about any damage.
You’ll get a hidden installation behind the front bumper that doesn’t require you to pull off your bumper to install it, and it won’t impede the airflow to your radiator to keep your vehicle running in top shape. It comes with a ¼-inch steel plate to secure it to the frame horns without any drilling or cutting, and the Roller Fairlead Bracket will mount to the front license plate area to give it a flush installation, so nothing sticks out. This is a very durable product that will resist rust and corrosion with hard use too.
Key Features:
- Maximum Pulling Capacity: 12,000 pounds
- Protective Finish: Yes
- Warranty: One year
Pros
- Hidden installation
- Don’t have to drill or cut anything
- Doesn’t impede airflow to the radiator
- Installs flush to the frame
- Easy to mount
Cons
- Only goes on Jeeps
4. WARN 11078 Universal Foot Forward Winch Mount Kit
This is a universal flatbed winch mounting plate that lets you quickly and easily mount your winch to any flat surface you like quickly and easily, and it comes outfitted with a black powder coating that helps it resist rust and corrosion with use in harsh environments or elemental exposure. It has a steel construction for the materials that makes it suitable for bigger projects without bending or breaking, and the installation process is easier as it comes with everything you need to get started straight out of the box.
This product comes with all of the holes pre-drilled to fit a WARM 9.4xp, M12, M8, XD9, M6, and M8274-50 winches, and this gives you the versatility to decide which winch is going to work the best for your needs. The installation process itself is very easy for a single person to do, and it’ll mount securely in place. The manufacturer gives you a one-year limited warranty from the date of purchase.
Key Features:
- Maximum Pulling Capacity: 8,000 pounds
- Protective Finish: Yes
- Warranty: One year limited from the date of purchase
Pros
- Works on a variety of vehicles
- Can use with several winches
- Black powder coating
- Good for use in harsh environments
- Easy to install
Cons
- May not have all of the pieces needed to install it
5. Badland Winches ATV/Utility Plate
The final mounting plate on our list is a lighter-duty one that can attach to an ATV to help you remove stuck vehicles up to 3,000 pounds without having an issue, and it makes it as easy to add the winch to your ATV as clipping in the hitch pin. This particular mounting plate allows you to add your 2,000 and 3,000-pound Badland Winch to your ATV if it doesn’t come with a built-in mounting plate already installed.
You’ll get a product that has a heavy-duty six-gauge steel construction that is extremely durable and resistant to wear and tear, and it’s also durable enough to use in rough terrain or in different harsh weather conditions without a problem. It won’t crack, chip, corrode, or rust with heavy use, and it attaches quickly and securely so you can get out onto your next adventure with new confidence levels. There is a powder coating for a finish on the whole thing that makes it look sleek while providing another layer of protection.
Key Features:
- Maximum Pulling Capacity: 3,000 pounds
- Protective Finish: Yes
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty from the date of purchase
Pros
- Has a lifetime warranty
- Works on two different Badland winches
- Heavy-gauge steel construction
- Resists wear and tear
- Powder coating
Cons
- Installation can take a few hours
Verdict & Review
Ecotric 10x 4 1/2 Cradle Mounting Plate
Pros
- Can pull up to 13,000 lbs
- 1/5-inch stainless steel construction
- Anti-rust coating
- Can take on large and small-scale projects
- Universal fit
Cons
- Cable rubs a bit when you spool it out or in
Our pick for the best winch mounting plate is the Ecotric Mounting Plate because it has an extremely solid construction to it that allows you to use it extensively, and it comes with an anti-rust powder coating to make it last even longer. We liked that it could get used to pull items up to 12,000-pounds without failing, and this allowed you to tackle larger projects without stalling.
We also liked that it came from a very reputable manufacturer that has a reputation for creating high-quality products and standing by them. So, this gives you the confidence you need that you’re going to get a product that will last for years when you buy it.
Buying Guide
Buying a mounting plate doesn’t have to be a huge project, but you should pay careful attention to certain aspects of this product to ensure you get the right one. Below is a quick explanation of the most important aspects to pay attention to when you compare products.
Compatibility
The mounting plate you pick out has to be compatible with your winch, and most quality models are universal and able to fit a broad range of winches. The durable units are compatible with each type of winch, even those that you need to raise higher so the bumper and fairlead don’t rub against one another.
Material Quality
if any bolt on your winch mount comes loose, it can shear off and start destroying and damaging the winch, and it’s especially important to pay attention to foot-down winches. The mounting plate should get firmly clamped to your winch by torqued bolts. Make sure each part is very high quality and durable to prevent further damage.
Design
High-quality mounting plates come designed to enable you to get a very rugged look without impacting how it functions. They come designed to ensure durability, strength, and safety when you mount them correctly. The instructions should be clear, and you should be able to mount them yourself.
Mounting Plate FAQ
Below are a few of the most frequently asked questions about winch mounting plates.
1. Which size do you need for your mounting plate?
Most mounting plates have a universal design, but you want to make sure that the one you pick has the correct orientation and the standard 10-inch by 4.5-inch bolt presentation. The winch holes have to line up with the bolt pattern.
2. What is the correct thickness for a winch mounting plate?
Depending on where you want to mount the steel to your bumper, the correct thickness for this plate ranges from 3/16-inches to 1/4-inches.
3. What is a winch mounting plate?
A winch mounting plate is a thick steel plate that attaches to the front bumper of your vehicle. They allow you to recover vehicles from the ditch or wherever they’re stuck using a winch. You can also use them to attach a plow.
4. Is it possible to mount a winch upside down?
Most winches for UTVs or ATVs allow you to mount them upside down. You do have to make sure that the cable or rope still spools into the drum that is closest to the winch’s base.