Recommended Winch Setup to Load Austin-Healey Sprite on Flatbed Trailer

Updated 10/12/2017 | Published 10/11/2017

Question:

Winch ion question. 13 foot tilt bed flat bed trailer 6 inch rise say 5 slope. Loading 1350 pound vintage race prepared Austin Healey Sprite. Need to winch on to trailer. Mounting winch on flat bed would require the use of a worm winch or your ratchet option as bar on front of flatbed prevents cranking. Another option is to build a winch mount on the A frame. Winch will be used 6 times a year Can send pictures Ratchet would be limited to a 90 degree pull. Concerned about how fast a worm gear winch would crank the car in. Building a winch mount would have an additional costs. What would suggest as the best option?

asked by: Brian V

Expert Reply:

The best option for loading your Austin-Healey Sprite onto your trailer would be an electric winch, the Bulldog Trailer Winch # BDW15017. This winch can be mounted via the plate that is included, and has more than enough power with its 3,400 lbs capacity to pull a lightweight vehicle like yours onto a trailer. This winch is going to give you the best combination of value, ease of use and reliability compared to a winch you would need to crank by hand.

The Bulldog features a free-spooling clutch, 45' galvanized steel cable, a 166:1 gear ratio, and a 3-stage planetary gear train that allows the line speed to range between 15 feet per minute (0 lbs line pull) and 5 feet per minute (at max 3,400 lbs line pull). The Bulldog also has an automatic mechanical brake for security when holding the load and a hand-held remote that you can operate from up to 20 feet away.

I have provided links to video reviews of these products for you to take a look at, as well as installs so you can get a glimpse of the process for yourself.

expert reply by: Kyle S