Recommended Winch To Raise Roof on Space Trailer To Hold Open at 90 Degrees
Updated 02/03/2026 | Published 07/15/2024
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Question:
Choosing a winch. I have a SPACE Trailer with a lid. The lid has gas struts to assist lifting the lid when heavy items are strapped to it like a rooftop tent or kayaks.The lid hinges are at the front and permit the lid to be opened to a 90º+ angle once the struts are disconnected. Sometimes I need to open the lid more than the standard 45º. i.e. opening the lid wide enough so a skip loader can dump soil in the back of the trailer, then I need to close the lid again for transport. Currently, this is a two-person job. One person holds the 100-ish pound lid open after disconnecting the struts, while the other person uses a ratcheting tie-down attached to tow hooks on the towing cars bumper to hold the lid open at a convenient angle. Id like to add a winch to reduce this to a one-person job. Ideally, Id like the winch to be quick to remove, possibly using hooks and chain to attach to the two tow hooks on the bumper. I will need to reverse the winch and stop it to reattach the struts on the way down. Which products should I be looking at?
asked by: Colette B
Expert Reply:
I feel like your best option would be using a winch like the Dutton-Lainson # DL14993 which has an automatic brake. This type of winch is designed to mount with bolts so you might consider mounting it to the trailers tongue and using a Cable # DL24044 along with a Snatch Block # DL44QR to connect to your tow hooks on the bumper.
It would be difficult to attach a winch with chains and hooks that would be easily removed since it would move around a lot as you try and use it.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Dutton-Lainson Hand Winch w/ Automatic Brake - TUFFPLATE Finish - Freewheel - 1,200 lbs
- Trailer Winch
- Brake Hand Winch
- Utility Winch
- 1001 - 2000 lbs
- Standard Hand Crank
- Single Speed Winch
- Wire Rope
- Dutton-Lainson
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Jameson C.
2/3/2026
Hey, how did things go with the Dutton-Lainson winch setup for your SPACE Trailer lid? Were you able to get it to lift and lower smoothly on your own? Your results could really help others trying to manage a similar trailer lid.