How to Select Appropriate Winch for Car Hauler Trailer

Updated 09/06/2017 | Published 09/04/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Bulldog Winch Trailer Winch - Wireless Remote - Wire Rope - Roller Fairlead - 12,000 lbs

(101)

$981.76

Dutton-Lainson Hand Winch - TUFFPLATE Finish - 2 Speed - Direct Drive - 3,200 lbs

(476)

$140.68

Hand Winch Cable with Safety Hook 1/4" Diameter x 50' Long - 3,500 lbs

(31)

$70.08

Hand Winch Strap with Safety Hook, 2" Wide x 20' Long - Extra Heavy Duty - 4,800 lbs.

(94)

$53.02

Fulton Galvanized Winch Cable with Hook - 50' x 7/32" - 5,600 lbs

(67)

$51.75

Question:

CAN THE 3200 LBS WINCH BE USED ON A CAR TRAILER ?

asked by: Dennis

Expert Reply:

Both the Fulton # F142421 and the Dutton Lainson # DL15440 2-speed hand winches are rated for 3200-lbs maximum capacity. The Fulton works only with wire rope # FWC7500100 but the Dutton Lainson works with a wire rope # DL24104 or a polyester strap # DL24251. Although both are intended for use on a boat trailer they could certainly be used in a car trailer application so long as they offered the required pulling capacity.

Most of the time car trailers use an electric winch, like one of those shown on the linked page. Car trailer winches are available in 1- to 6-horsepower ratings and various operating speeds, such as the Bulldog 12K winch # BDW10039.

With winches, as with trailer jacks, you want to choose one that can handle more load than you're actually going to put on it. Using a higher-rated winch means it will have to work less hard and this usually helps with reliability and extending the unit's working lifespan. The linked articles will help you see how factors like winching distance and slope/incline angle affect winch capacity.