What Gauge Wire is Needed for Trailer Winch

Updated 10/17/2024 | Published 09/07/2017

Products Featured in This Question

ComeUp DV-6s Off-Road Winch - Synthetic Rope - Hawse Fairlead - 6,000 lbs

(17)

$770.95

Bulldog Winch Rear Wiring Kit - Quick Connect to Terminal End - 2 Gauge - 24' Long

(23)

$356.76

Bulldog Winch Power Lead Extension for ATV/UTV Winches - 6 Gauge - 12' Long

(12)

$39.99

Question:

what gauge wire do I need to supply the winch with power from the veh battery up front to the trailer?

asked by: Tom B

Expert Reply:

For a winch like the Superwinch S6000 Winch # CU854754 you will simply want to use the Trailer and Vehicle Electric Winch Wiring Kit # BDW20207.

Since winches can vary on how much they can pull this also affects how much power they need. For a winch that is rated up to 4K it is recommended to use 6 Gauge Wire like what comes in the Bulldog Kit # BDW20304. Anything higher than 4K will need to use higher gauge wire like what is included in the Kit # BDW20207 that I mentioned.

If you let me know what exact winch you have I can see if we have a specific wiring kit for it.

expert reply by: Jon G

Arnold

3/20/2024

Travelers 12000 lb winch

Jon G.

3/28/2024

@Arnold For a 12K winch you need the 2 Gauge Wire Kit # BDW20207.

Freedomgunner

10/17/2024

@JonG Is a 1 gauge wire kit safe to use on a Harbor Freight (Badlands) Winch?

Jon G.

10/17/2024

@Freedomgunner Yup! We actually have 1 gauge wiring kits for winches that you can use for this. The Kit # BDW20347 is 7-1/2' long while the Kit # BDW20348 is 24' long. The shorter one is for if you have the winch mounted at the front of your vehicle and the longer one is for if you have the winch mounted at the back.

Rick

5/21/2024

1 have a 17,500 tuff stuff winch. What gauge wire do I need to power it from my battery at the truck hitch?

Jon G.

5/21/2024

@Rick I recommend using 1 gauge wire just to make sure you have the power you need. You'll need the following wiring kit depending on if your hitch is at the front of back of your vehicle: - Front Kit # BDW20347 - Rear Kit # BDW20348

Rick

6/19/2024

@JonG Should I use any circuit breaker/fuse etc to protect the truck electrical system or should I direct wire it to the battery? If so which should I use?

Jon G.

6/19/2024

@Rick According to the instructions you don't need a circuit breaker or fuse.