Winch Recommendations

Mark Ruset · 06-17-2021, 12:32 PM

Looking to purchase an electric winch to mount in an enclosed trailer to pull a 3200 lb. door car. Been looking at 12 and 120 volt units and various horsepower ratings. Not looking to break the bank and the unit will probably get minimal use.
Thanks

KRatcliff · 06-17-2021, 01:48 PM

Oh, an electric one. Can't help you with that. Sorry.

340Cuda · 06-18-2021, 09:56 AM

I would think 12 volt would be best, especially if your trailer already has a battery. That way no need to plug in or start the generator.

For light use I would consider the Harbor Freight units.

Mark Ruset · 06-18-2021, 02:40 PM

Thanks I was thinking along those lines. Just not sure if the 3500 rated one will work for my application and HP rating for the motors, I've see all the way from 1.3 to 1.8 on the horsepower of the motor, also some units have steel cable and some use a fabric type rope. Just want to make a one time purchase.

340Cuda · 06-19-2021, 11:10 AM

After twenty years the steel cable on my winch failed. However for many years before that it had strands sticking out that could have been painful it not handled with gloves.

I replaced it with a fabric rope and I like it.

Run to Rund · 06-21-2021, 08:46 AM

since you are just pulling the car, you don't need a 3500 lb winch. 2500 is enough, plenty. If the cable begins to fray, replace it. When winching, have someone follow the car with wheel chocks, just in case it gets loose.

NSSGTO · 06-24-2021, 07:51 PM

I have a Harbor Freight 3500 with synthetic line.
Pulls a 3700lb car easily. Use a snatch block on the floor D rings. Winch mounted on the side out of the way,

FED 387 · 06-24-2021, 08:36 PM

depends on if you are pulling a dead weight or a rolling weight also the angle of the incline---if you use a snatch block and double your line it will pull it very easily because you are doubling the power however your speed decreases. but it should work--- look into it before you make a decision--FED 387

Mark Ruset · 06-25-2021, 10:12 AM

I ended up buying a 5000 lb. Badlands Winch from Harbor Freight. I spoke with a tech guy about the capacity of the winch and was told that the longer the tow cable is extended from the winch the larger the capacity of the winch needs to be. I purchased it on Fathers Day for $170.00 Looks well made and had great on line reviews

Rusty Davenport · 06-25-2021, 02:14 PM

Superwinch.........run the other way........company bought out and out of business......fell for a sale on ebay at 1/2 price ......the switch went out when I needed it most......no replacement parts anywhere what a pain......ended up making one, what next ????

06-17-2021, 12:32 PM	#1
Mark Ruset Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Southwest Florida Posts: 263 Likes: 35 Liked 43 Times in 29 Posts	Winch Recommendations Looking to purchase an electric winch to mount in an enclosed trailer to pull a 3200 lb. door car. Been looking at 12 and 120 volt units and various horsepower ratings. Not looking to break the bank and the unit will probably get minimal use. Thanks __________________ Mark Ruset 2048 STK

06-17-2021, 01:48 PM	#2
KRatcliff Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 766 Likes: 75 Liked 524 Times in 141 Posts	Re: Winch Recommendations Oh, an electric one. Can't help you with that. Sorry.

06-18-2021, 09:56 AM	#3
340Cuda VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 1,669 Likes: 3,853 Liked 800 Times in 337 Posts	Re: Winch Recommendations I would think 12 volt would be best, especially if your trailer already has a battery. That way no need to plug in or start the generator. For light use I would consider the Harbor Freight units.

06-18-2021, 02:40 PM	#4
Mark Ruset Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Southwest Florida Posts: 263 Likes: 35 Liked 43 Times in 29 Posts	Re: Winch Recommendations Thanks I was thinking along those lines. Just not sure if the 3500 rated one will work for my application and HP rating for the motors, I've see all the way from 1.3 to 1.8 on the horsepower of the motor, also some units have steel cable and some use a fabric type rope. Just want to make a one time purchase. __________________ Mark Ruset 2048 STK

06-19-2021, 11:10 AM	#5
340Cuda VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 1,669 Likes: 3,853 Liked 800 Times in 337 Posts	Re: Winch Recommendations After twenty years the steel cable on my winch failed. However for many years before that it had strands sticking out that could have been painful it not handled with gloves. I replaced it with a fabric rope and I like it.

06-21-2021, 08:46 AM	#6
Run to Rund Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 583 Likes: 8 Liked 54 Times in 27 Posts	Re: Winch Recommendations since you are just pulling the car, you don't need a 3500 lb winch. 2500 is enough, plenty. If the cable begins to fray, replace it. When winching, have someone follow the car with wheel chocks, just in case it gets loose.

06-24-2021, 07:51 PM	#7
NSSGTO Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 53 Likes: 9 Liked 24 Times in 17 Posts	Re: Winch Recommendations I have a Harbor Freight 3500 with synthetic line. Pulls a 3700lb car easily. Use a snatch block on the floor D rings. Winch mounted on the side out of the way,

06-24-2021, 08:36 PM	#8
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,419 Likes: 528 Liked 332 Times in 180 Posts	Re: Winch Recommendations depends on if you are pulling a dead weight or a rolling weight also the angle of the incline---if you use a snatch block and double your line it will pull it very easily because you are doubling the power however your speed decreases. but it should work--- look into it before you make a decision--FED 387

06-25-2021, 10:12 AM	#9
Mark Ruset Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Southwest Florida Posts: 263 Likes: 35 Liked 43 Times in 29 Posts	Re: Winch Recommendations I ended up buying a 5000 lb. Badlands Winch from Harbor Freight. I spoke with a tech guy about the capacity of the winch and was told that the longer the tow cable is extended from the winch the larger the capacity of the winch needs to be. I purchased it on Fathers Day for $170.00 Looks well made and had great on line reviews __________________ Mark Ruset 2048 STK

06-25-2021, 02:14 PM	#10
Rusty Davenport Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nashville N.C. Posts: 506 Likes: 4 Liked 101 Times in 27 Posts	Re: Winch Recommendations Superwinch.........run the other way........company bought out and out of business......fell for a sale on ebay at 1/2 price ......the switch went out when I needed it most......no replacement parts anywhere what a pain......ended up making one, what next ???? __________________ NHRA AND IHRA STOCK ELIMINATOR 2772