Winch suggestions?

DDT · Sep 5, 2001

I have a 18' dove tail flatbed. I have thought about installing a winch on it. I would like one with the controls attached to the winch, I really don't need a long cord for the swicth, self contaned uint. I have power at the bumber of my truck (#6 welding cable to the battery, used for charging my dump trailer battery). Any one have suggestions? LBS of pull ect.?
Sure would be nice pulling dead cars, trucks and other heavy stuff on the bed with out a comealong.
DDT

Anonymous Poster · Sep 5, 2001

How about using a manual winch with gear reduction. A lot less expensive for the number of times your implying it would be used. The gear reduction makes them more manageable. http://www.biasboating.com.au/manualtrlrwinches.html or boatus.com

RobertN · Sep 5, 2001

Warn has a great selection of winches for your application.
Also, you might talk to one of your local tow truck operators. All of the flatbed tow trucks use winches...

RobertN in Shingle Springs Calif

StanInCalif · Sep 5, 2001

5000 lb with 1/4" cable sounds about right to me, and I would get a snatch block to go with it. I would also get a remote switch, as the idea of standing next to a winch under load makes me a little nervous. The 6 ga. wire sounds a little light for this, but dunno for sure. Northern Tool and Equipment has a good selection. -Stan

DDT · Sep 6, 2001

you guys bring up some good points. Now I have more stewing to do. Thanks

Anonymous Poster · Sep 7, 2001

Almost all of the newer tow trucks (flatbeds and wreckers) use a hydraulic winch setup. Wouldn't be impossible to set up but might be a little pricey.

CVHoss · Sep 7, 2001

DDT,
First, you really do want a remote. From Jeepin', I can guarantee you that the last thing you want is to be standing there with your hand on a winch mounted switch when the cable lets go. Always throw something over the cable (we used to use one of the Jeeps floormats) to kill the energy of the cable if (when) it does snap.

Second. While a good winch won't break the bank, they are pricey. If I were going to mount one on a trailer, I'd weld up a receiver set-up at the front of the trailer. That way, I could get one of the receiver mounted winch plates and move the winch to whatever I needed to (as long as it had a receiver hitch). Makes your investment a lot more versatile.

Hoss

johnjc · Sep 7, 2001

Check out http://www.milemarker.com/

DDT · Sep 7, 2001

The receiver idea- I like. I don't think I would ever use it any where eles, but at least it could be remove qick for winter storage (inside). As a earler post, a manula one wood probley do the trick as often as I would need it. A 2 speed manual at napa is $80 and a 6000lb warn about $400. for $300 saveings I could buy more 3 point equipment or atlest a part of one.
DDT

bgott · Sep 8, 2001

I like that idea. You can get the receiver sockets for around $20. They also sell front receivers for your truck and you can add a socket front and back on the tractor. Carry a boat anchor for mud. With the proper toys you'll have the confidence to get stuck waaayyy back in the woods! BTDT and will probably do it again.

Anonymous Poster · Sep 8, 2001

First thing I can tell you for sure is you want a remote switch, at least 10 feet longer than the tail of the trailer, helps a lot when You're loading by yourself, and can't be beat for keeping a hand on the steering wheel of the car you're loading. Second, you will need at least a 2000#, preferable 4000#, and make sure you have a snatch block, it will not only double the force you have to pull with, it comes in real handy when unloading too.
Remember, you don't need as much pull to drag a machine onto a trailer as you need to lift the object.
With regard to wiring, if you're planning to put a battery on the trailer, real handy for dragging the trailer to the truck to hook up, the #6 cable you now have will work fine. If you don't have a bat at the trailer, figure on at least 1/0 welding cable, winches suck a lot of power. Also, you need to remember the ground side of the circuit. The contact you get thru the hitch is sufficient, most of the time, but when you really need winch power, it will let you down.
Finally, if you live anywhere like New York, where we have a corrosive atmousphere, use grease on all connections, and spray silicone onto the switch. I've replaced the solonoids on mine because of corrosion. Always use a blanket over the cable when pulling, and NEVER use the winch as a tie down device for the load.