Recommended Winch for 6,000 Pound Boat on Trailer with Wooden Bunks
Updated 10/24/2017 | Published 10/23/2017
Products Featured in This Question
Question:
From what I am reading this winch appears to be acceptable to use for my boat trailer. My boat is a 26foot Carver Monterey Cruiser that weighs approximately 6000 lbs. and more if the 100 gallon fuel tank is full plus the trailer has four carpeted wooden bunks. Is my assumption correct to use this winch?
asked by: Douglas R
Expert Reply:
Generally speaking, boat-size-to-winch capacity is 2 to 1, meaning the capacity of the winch you are using should at least be 50 percent of your boat's weight. However, this ratio will be reduced if you are winching a longer distance or if the trailer, like yours, has carpeted wooden bunks. In your particular case, the ratio will be closer to 1 to 1.
With this in mind, the Fulton XLT Fully Enclosed 2 Speed Trailer Winch # F142425 referenced in your question, which has a capacity of 3,200 pounds, might be a bit under-rated. If you stay with the carpeted wooden bunks on your trailer, you will likely need a winch that has closer to a 1 to 1 ratio. We do not currently have a standard boat winch available with this type of load capacity.
For this reason, I actually recommend adding roller bunks like the Dutton-Lainson # DL21741 to your trailer. These can attach directly to your existing bunks and will make loading and unloading much easier. You will just want to make sure you get rollers for all the bunks that your boat touches. Each set is rated at 3,000 pounds so you will need to double up the rollers on each side to give you a combined capacity of 6,000 pounds.
Once installed, the above-mentioned Fulton XLt Winch will work great using the standard 2 to 1 ratio.
I have attached a couple video demonstrations on the products mentioned and an article on hand winches that you might find helpful.
Featured Help Information
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Q&A: Recommended Boat Trailer Winch For 5,000 lb Boat
- Shop: Bulldog Winch Electric Winch w/ Remote - AC Powered - 1,500 lbs
- Shop: Dutton-Lainson StrongArm Electric Winch - 3,000 lbs
- Shop: Dutton-Lainson StrongArm Electric Winch w/ Pulley Block - 3,000 lbs
- Shop: Bulldog Winch Trailer Winch - Wire Rope - Roller Fairlead - 4,400 lbs
- Shop: Bulldog Winch Trailer Winch - Wire Rope - Hawse Fairlead - 3,400 lbs
- Shop: Bulldog Winch Trailer Winch - Synthetic Rope - Hawse Fairlead - 3,400 lbs
- Shop: Dutton-Lainson StrongArm Electric Winch - 1,500 lbs
- Article: Hand Winches
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Search Results: trailer hitch
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a Class II and a Class III Hitch?
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Q&A: Lug Nut Torque Chart for Trailer Wheels
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Search Results: trailer wiring
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
- Article: Trailer Lighting Requirements
- Video: A Look at the Power Mountain Tallboy 6 Ton Off-Road Bottle Jack with a Military Cargo Trailer
- Search Results: trailer tires and wheels
- Q&A: Does etrailer Carry Furrion Chill Cube w/ Heat Pump to Replace Dometic Duo-Therm
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a 4-Way and 7-Way Trailer Connector
- Search Results: trailer jack
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Video: Fifth Wheel Towing Made Simple with Daniel
- Article: How to Measure for Trailer Hitch Drop
- Q&A: Installation Time for Blue Ox BX1128 Flat Tow Base Plate Kit for 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Article: Wiring Trailer Lights with a 7-Way Plug (It's Easier Than You Think)
- Video: How to Choose a Trailer Brake Controller
on Trailer Winch
