Using Winch to Hold Boat in Place on Trailer During Travel

Published 02/14/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Dutton-Lainson Hand Winch - TUFFPLATE Finish - 2 Speed - Direct Drive - 2,000 lbs

(463)

$129.41

Dutton-Lainson Hand Winch w/ Automatic Brake - TUFFPLATE Finish - 2,500 lbs

(342)

$184.41

BoatBuckle G2 Retractable, Ratcheting Transom Tie-Down Straps - 43" Long - 833 lbs - Qty 2

(890)

$86.23

Question:

As in previous conversation. Can you mount this unit on channel pad that is 3inch wide without twisting frame or do you need to add support plate.

asked by: Barry B

Expert Reply:

The Dutton-Lainson Hand Winch # DL14725 referenced in your question has a freewheel design that will not actually hold a load in the forward or reverse directions.

To hold a load in place you will want to go with a brake winch. For a similarly rated modeI recommend the Dutton-Lainson Hand Winch # DL15721 that features a 2,500 pound weight capacity and an automatic braking mechanism that will lock a load in place. The elongated mounting holes on the plate will allow compatibility with your existing mounting pattern.

With that being said though we don't typically recommend using a winch to secure a boat onto a trailer during travel. All boat winches, including brake units, are really only designed load and unload a boat. A big enough bump in the road can potentially cause a winch to release which would be bad news for your boat and any vehicles behind you.

I highly recommend using separate tie-down straps like the BoatBuckle # IMF08893 to secure the boat in place once you load it on the trailer. I have attached a link that will take you directly to our complete selection that you can look through if you don't have them already.

expert reply by: Chris R

Barry

2/14/2019

As in previous conversation. Can you mount this unit on channel pad that is 3inch wide without twisting frame or do you need to add support plate.

Chris R.

2/14/2019

As long as the existing holes in your channel pad match up to the bolt holes on the Dutton-Lainson Hand Winch # DL15721 you can indeed mount it to your 3 inch wide plate. The mounting base for this winch measures 4-1/2 inches wide so you are just going to have about 3/4 of an inch of overlap on each side that shouldn't negatively affect the frame or the stability of the winch.