Abstract: A winch mounting system includes a stationary mounting member and a winch supporting member slideably mounted thereon. Bearings permit the winch supporting member to move in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the winch drum but restrain motion in all other directions. A fairlead or cable guide assembly, secured to the stationary mounting member, guides the cable to the drum. The tension on the cable forces the winch and drum to continually move to a position that maintains the shortest length of cable between the fairlead and the drum. As a result, the cable winds neatly and evenly on the drum without binding or bunching.