Compatibility of Winch Mounted to Class I Hitch Receiver and Decline Slope

Updated 03/22/2019 | Published 03/21/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Bulldog Winch Hitch Mounted Winch Mounting Plate with Handles - 2" x 2" Hitch

(26)

$214.53

Bulldog Winch Snatch Block - Silver Zinc Coated

(6)

$37.32

Hitch Adapter 1-1/4" to 2" Trailer Hitch Receiver

(567)

$100.98

Question:

I have only a class I trailer hitch. As near as I can tell it can pull 2000 pounds with a tongue weight of 200 lbs. So using some trigonometry I estimated a 1000 lb load can be at a maximum 12 degree decline in the cable off of the spool and the maximum level or upward load would be the 2000 lb rating. Am I being too conservative ? What would you consider maximum winch loading on a class I hitch?

asked by: Gary P

Expert Reply:

I'm with you on your calculations although I'm not a trig expert. The issue is there is nothing that has been tested with a winch on a class I hitch. The Bulldog Winch Hitch Mounted Winch Mounting Plate # BDW20011 is only a fit on 2 inch hitch receivers and there isn't a mount for the smaller 1-1/4 inch receiver. So, then you would need to use a hitch expander like # HTAD that would reduce the tongue weight rating of your hitch by 50% and add more weight as well. So the adapter at 7 lb and the winch mount at 26 lbs as well as the actual winch weight would be subtracted from the 100 lb tongue weight before you could calculate your decline max capacity. On level ground you would have no issue but you'd lose almost all capacity on a decline due to the tongue weight and reduced pull weight with each coil around the drum. A snatch block like # BDW20023 would be the only possible help.

expert reply by: Jason S