Overview
The Smittybilt 2806 is the XRC Black Box, a winch cradle that slides into a 2 in. receiver hitch and holds a winch in its center compartment. Smittybilt designed the cradle for a winch up to 12,000 lb, with pre-drilled fairlead mounting holes.
The unit has an anti-wabble system that keeps the box stable in the receiver. The two outer compartments are keyed alike and lock, and they are sized for tow straps, snatch blocks, choker chains, tree savers, an air compressor and other trail gear. Storing that gear inside the cradle frees up space in the vehicle itself, and the locks help keep it secure on the trail.
Smittybilt includes a pair of solid D-ring mounts for rigging points, and a pair of driving and flood lights with the kit. The lights mount in openings built into the box.
Key features
- Mounts in a 2 in. receiver hitch, front or rear
- Anti-wabble system to keep the box stable
- Three keyed-alike, lockable storage compartments
- Center compartment for a winch up to 12,000 lb
- Pair of D-ring mounts
- Pair of driving and flood lights included
Choosing a receiver cradle
A receiver-mounted winch cradle carries the weight of a winch and its gear through the hitch, so the hitch itself matters as much as the box. The receiver tube, its pin and the mounting bolts all share the load. A worn, bent or rusted receiver should be repaired or replaced before a heavy winch is added to it.
Weight placement changes how a vehicle handles. A loaded cradle shifts the center of gravity and can affect braking and steering, especially on steep grades or uneven ground. Keep the winch near the center of the box and avoid packing heavy gear to one side. After the first few trail runs, check the pin, bolts and compartment locks for looseness.
- Inspect the receiver pin and hitch bolts for wear
- Recheck bolts after rough trail sections
- Keep storage compartments balanced side to side
- Lubricate compartment locks so they turn freely
Specifications
| Brand | Smittybilt |
|---|---|
| Part number | 2806 |
| UPC | 631410090192 |
| Product type | Receiver-mounted winch cradle |
| Receiver size | 2 in. |
| Winch capacity | Up to 12,000 lb in the center compartment |
| Storage | Three keyed-alike, lockable compartments |
| D-ring mounts | Pair, solid |
| Lights | Pair of driving and flood lights |
| Fairlead mounting | Pre-drilled holes |
Vehicle fitment
It mounts in any 2 in. receiver, so the receiver on your vehicle determines fit. Confirm your vehicle’s year, model and trim before ordering.
Confirm your vehicle’s year, model and trim before ordering.
Installation notes
Check that the receiver is a 2 in. size and that the winch you plan to mount sits within the 12,000 lb limit. The lights are wired into the box, so route the wiring before the box is locked into the receiver.
What’s included
The cradle includes a pair of D-ring mounts and a pair of driving and flood lights. The winch, mounting bolts and fairlead are not included.
Not included: The winch itself.
