Compatibility of Warn 2K Winch with Wiring Kit and Stock Battery and Alternator in 2005 GMC Sierra

Updated 11/30/2016 | Published 11/29/2016

Question:

Hello, I am looking at installing a Warn 2000lbs winch inside a trailer tongue tool box with a cut out to be able to pull a small vehicle onto a trailer. I want to be able to use this style of quick disconnect to hook the winch up to the tow vehicle when needed and disconnect when I am done. Will part# SW1520 work with this this style winch? I included a link to the winch I am looking at. Its a WARN Utility Winch — 2000-Lb. Capacity, 12 Volt DC, Model# 92000. Also my tow vehicle is a stock 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 Z71 with the 5.3L flex fuel engine. Would the stock alternator be enough to run the winch while the truck is running and not kill both the alternator and the battery? Thank You!

asked by: Caleb M

Expert Reply:

To mount your winch inside the trailer tongue tool box you will want to ensure that you have a suitable mounting surface underneath the box. The tool box material by itself is unlikely to be strong enough to support the load that will be put on the winch. You need to ensure that the mounting hardware for the winch goes through not just the tool box's bottom panel but also to a suitable portion of the trailer frame, which will have the strength to handle the load put on the winch.

If your truck is a standard-duty model it is likely to have an alternator rated for 102 to 130-amps output. The stock battery in the truck is rated for 600-cold-cranking-amps. For the short amounts of time the winch will be used (60-second or less typically) your alternator and battery will be fine. If you have a HD version then you're fine again. You can use the wiring kit # BDW20307 or anything with a higher wire gauge since it is rated high enough for 4K winches.

Please refer to the linked article on wiring a winch for additional helpful information.

expert reply by: Adam R