Yea, Im not as concerned if the drop hitch bends, but very concerned if the truck frame bends. Being more inline with the frame, no matter the shape or angles of the drop hitch, should correct the issue of a bent truck frame, that is what I meant to say... Like I say, most of you guys with hitch mount winches are pulling several inches away from inline with the frame too and no issues I have ever heard of.
I will maybe mock up some lighter steel and see what the physics really are...
There is a cross member that I could grab onto so it would be pulling directly off the frame (as well as thru the drop hitch), but I am not sure how strong the cross member is, I cant imagine it not taking at least half
