Trailer winch setup

[bjcsc]

Lil43: that's one of the most practical winch setups I have ever seen. Fantastic job!

[gordon21]

Take what you will probably need to pull and then double that number. Buy a winch for that size or bigger. Ratings are very optimistic. I think there is a standard but it involves pulling weight on a dead level hard surface with no restrictions on the rolling ability of the item being pulled with a cold winch, level lines, etc. When you start throwing in inclines, flat tires that don't roll good, off center pulls, hot temps or a hot winch, all your capacity starts to disappear.

Even the ATV crowd follows this rule. They consider a 1500# rating tiny. Most of their machines weigh less than 750# They like 2500 or 3000 ratings.

[George2615]

Lil43,
I'm glad you said you don't drive the truck in the winter.That's a great setup but sure wouldn't last long with the salt the spread here.

[mbrule]

I set my 18' car trailer up with a 3500 lb winch. It is a warn, I think it is called a "pull pack" it came mounted to a plate with a bar to go in a 2" reciever, a quick connect for the power, and a remote. I cannot find it on the Warn site (discontinued?)
I welded an old trailer hitch to the tongue of my trailer and wired a mating connector to the bumper of my truck from the battery with a disconnect. Takes me a couple of minutes to grab the winch, pin it on the trailer and connect the power. It has either pulled or broke anything that I have asked it to. I do have a snatch block if needed. Added benefit is that I can keep the winch inside, the trailer is outside.
The heaviest pull was a 66 Impala station wagon with four flats, got it part way on the trailer and tore the torsion bar off the rear axle, re-attached chain and pulled it on, no problem.
Sorry, no pictures I am at work.