front crossmember question

Has anyone ever had a weld break after welding a new crossmember in place of the stock one that holds the front of the front skid plate? I'm thinking about doing this, but am concerned that frame flex or heavy winching may repeatedly break the welds. Also, assuming that the welds are strong enough that they don't break, do I need to be concerned with causing cracks in the rest of the frame from heavy winching or doing something where the frame would ordinarily flex, but now does not because of my new crossmember?