Trailer winches

[codprawn]

Just don't trust them - nasty stamped steel parts etc etc.

Used mine the other day to winch a car up a small slope - pawl suddenly let go and car went hurtling backwards - could be because I was winching the wrong way round - car in front of trailer but even so.

Anyone know of good quality properly engineered ones?

Anyone using small electric winches like this?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12V-2000lb-ELE...item35a4c3b964

And will they fit a normal boat trailer?

All I need now is a day or 2 without rain and gales to get the boat out!!!

[jyasaki]

Quite a few fishermen here use electric winches on the trailer.

Pro's:

No cranking.
Looks cool.

Con's:

Make sure vehicle wiring is adequate (oversize based on the peak current the winch pulls, and fuse or breaker the run appropriately)

Slow to pull, usually.

Cables need to be watched carefully for fraying; wire bits really hurt (not to mention strength reduction.)

Most electric winches don't play nice with a salt environment. Decent soaking with WD-40 or similar at regular intervals would be a good plan.



I do agree with you that most manual boat winches are pretty crappy. In truth, I've found most trailer accessories to engineered to a "just good enough" level. Most rust within a year or so, and become unusable just after the warranty runs out (assuming they last that long.)


jky

[mdt]

I would keep to a manual winch. That 2000lbs one will be rated to pull a 2000lbs weight on wheels on the flat with only one coil of cable on the drum. If memory serves me right you will lose 10% for every layer of cable on the drum which after 4 layers you are down to a capacity of 1300lbs. I would guess this would also be slow and noisy.

If it is really bothering you about the presses steel of the main body then it would not be too hard to weld in some strengthening to this?

[9D280]

Just exactly how did it let go? Did the frame open up or something?

[JSP]

Why don't you use one of your other winches Codders?

Originally Posted by codprawn

Pah that's only 5hp - I have a V8 winch!!!

[paul holder]

this has been posted befor
winches are rated at straight line pull on a rolling load look at the land rover off road boys & car recovery people
if you wont a 2000lb pull up a slip or slope mult by 2 therefor say 4000lb as said befor you loose 10% for every drum lay therefor 6 lays =1/2 load
i have a 6.5 ribcraft a 4000lb supperwinch 12volt that stalled i fitted a snatch block which worked . on a rough day & high winds the 2 ropes made handling difficult,. i then changed from 12v to 24v this works ok but the charging is a pain.
there is no cheap solution have a look at supperwinch 5400 with dynaline rope

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by JSP

Why don't you use one of your other winches Codders?

I did debate using a tirfor but they are so slow - 5' a minute.

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by paul holder

this has been posted befor
winches are rated at straight line pull on a rolling load look at the land rover off road boys & car recovery people
if you wont a 2000lb pull up a slip or slope mult by 2 therefor say 4000lb as said befor you loose 10% for every drum lay therefor 6 lays =1/2 load
i have a 6.5 ribcraft a 4000lb supperwinch 12volt that stalled i fitted a snatch block which worked . on a rough day & high winds the 2 ropes made handling difficult,. i then changed from 12v to 24v this works ok but the charging is a pain.
there is no cheap solution have a look at supperwinch 5400 with dynaline rope

Now I know why I love my Tirfors so much - the baby one will lift 500kg vertically and fits in a briefcase - the biggest lifts 3200kg vertically - wether you have 10' of wire or 300'. Just not suitable for trailer mounting.

Think I will stick to a manual one then as a the bigger electric winches are a bit hefty for a boat trailer!!!