Recommended Manual and Powered Winch Options for Tandem Axle Car Hauler Trailer

Updated 07/02/2015 | Published 07/01/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Dutton-Lainson Hand Winch - Worm Gear - 1,500 lbs

(50)

$86.32

Bulldog Winch Trailer Winch - Wire Rope - Roller Fairlead - 5,800 lbs

(95)

$731.99

Bulldog Winch Trailer Winch - Wire Rope - Roller Fairlead - 7,800 lbs

(95)

$802.99

Dutton-Lainson Hand Winch w/ Automatic Brake - TUFFPLATE Finish - 3,500 lbs

(327)

$302.56

Question:

I have a dual axle 7500# car hauler with no dove tail. The ramp incline is fairly extreme at approx 30 to 40 degrees. I wish to equip the trailer with a winch system in order to load non running cars weighing up to 3500#. Can you recommend a manual winch system and an DC electric winch system so I can compare costs? Regards.

asked by: Mark E

Expert Reply:

A winch that is pulling a load up a 35-degree incline needs to be rated higher that one pulling on a level surface. As the incline increases, the weight a winch can pull decreases. This steep incline requires a winch rated for approximately 1-1/2-times the load's actual weight. To pull a 3500-lb load up this incline you need a winch rated for 5500-lbs. The linked articles on winches will give you more detail about winch types and capacities.

The manual brake winches we offer are rated only to 3500-lbs, such as Dutton-Lainson Heavy Duty Brake Winch # DL24844. In a 5800-lb capacity we have several powered winch options you can see by clicking on the included link.

Bulldog offers their 5.2 horsepower Low-Profile Trailer Winch # BDW10031 that uses a 47-foot wire rope and their 1.8 horsepower # BDW10029 has a 55-foot wire rope.

expert reply by: Adam R