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Installing A Winch In Trailer?

Laurie S.

Laurie S.

Well-Known Member
Staff member
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I'm likely going to have to take Trouble to Phoenix for some work and the car isn't running right now (waiting for the front dress). I know one way to get it in the trailer is to get a bunch of friends and push but it isn't easy. Is there any way to install a winch inside my trailer? I have cabinets across the front inside of the trailer, which is why I haven't tried before. So, can a winch (hopefully removable) be installed some other way?
 
I have done two in the past, on enclosed trailers. I actually installed the winch outside the trailer, on the hitch. I used an after market, lockable fuel door in the wall to run the cable thru with power from the tow vehicle wired thru the 7 pin plug. This way, the winch was removable but not in the way when it was installed. It could also be used to pull the trailer around if needed for whatever reason. I used the ATV winches on both trailers but did get the heavy duty ones. Simple task, just takes a bit of planning.
 
I have a portable winch that I place between the front D rings. Run a chain from each D ring through the winch mount and it works fin for pulling the car into the trailer.

I have an enclosed V nose with a counter across the inside front with tool cabinets under the counter, no real place to permanently mount the winch.
 
I knew you'd ask...........


I'll go look and see if it's in the garage. If it's in the trailer (in the barn) you're outta luck for tonight :doh
 
"silverblueBP" said:
I knew you'd ask...........


I'll go look and see if it's in the garage. If it's in the trailer (in the barn) you're outta luck for tonight :doh
Click to expand...

Deb said go take the damn picture...
 
It's out in the barn, but here's the link Harbor Freight

It has a 6,000 # capacity for a rolling car and 2,000# for dragging a busted up car! I will say that it's s l o w!

I added a pos & neg post in the trailer that's running from the truck and can hook it up in just a couple minutes. I didn't want to spend much on a winch that rarely gets used.
 
"Fast68back" said:
Deb said go take the damn picture...
Click to expand...

:fbomb off and tell her to :stfu






Sheesh, the ONE time I try and post (semi) useful info :eek:mg
 
Thanks, I'll check it out. I wouldn't use it very often, either, but it's a heck of a lot better than pushing Trouble.
 
"Laurie S." said:
Thanks, I'll check it out. I wouldn't use it very often, either, but it's a heck of a lot better than pushing Trouble.
Click to expand...

If you think pushing Trouble is difficult, try pulling Trouble by hand!
 
Laurie, too bad you're not closer. I just removed a Warn off an old truck I got rid of. It's got a little age but is a beast. I can't remember if it's a 9,000 lb or 12,000 lb but it's up for sale. It's bolted to a beast of a steel bumper but can be removed pretty easily. I have no idea what shipping would be for this thing but if you're interested I can get you some pics and would make you a heckuva deal. PM me if interested. Other than that, I'd run it how Pete stated. Gives you a lot more options and you don't have to worry about removing it when you're done.
 
Sure, if you can get some photos, that would be great. I really want the setup to be all inside the trailer, however, because the front of the trailer is diamondplate and I really don't want to cut that.
 
I have one permanently on my open trailer and it's one of those Harbor freight ones also. The mount it comes with would work great by just drilling a couple of holes in the floor up next to the cabinets in yours. Just drill and tap into one of the crossmembers from the top. It would be fairly painless to remove that way. Mine runs a installed battery mounted on the tongue. I am running a Odyssey battery and I just throw the charger on it for a while every now and then. It will pull a car up at least 10 times before you see any reduction in speed of the winch. It IS slow but it gives you time to steer the car on the way up....... :)
 
"blue65coupe" said:
Laurie, too bad you're not closer. I just removed a Warn off an old truck I got rid of. It's got a little age but is a beast. I can't remember if it's a 9,000 lb or 12,000 lb but it's up for sale. It's bolted to a beast of a steel bumper but can be removed pretty easily. I have no idea what shipping would be for this thing but if you're interested I can get you some pics and would make you a heckuva deal. PM me if interested. Other than that, I'd run it how Pete stated. Gives you a lot more options and you don't have to worry about removing it when you're done.
Click to expand...


Duane, Not trying to cut in on your unloading of this winch, but it's a tad bit of overkill for Lauries purpose. A 9000-12000# winch is a heavy unit. It could probably pull the car into the trailer if the car had NO suspension/wheels on it. She needs something more mobile that she can easily move around.

The only way I'd use a winch that big is if it were permanently mounted underneath one of the forward cabinets and powered by a dedicated deep cycle battery, which is IMO a great idea.
 
Dave said: "mounted underneath one of the forward cabinets and powered by a dedicated deep cycle battery"

This is how ours was set up when we bought it from the po.
We never drive or push a car into the trailer.
 
Laurie

I have the harbor freight winch. It's brand new in the box and never been used. If your interested.
We bought it several years ago for our boat and never used it. I got it for $35 and it's just taking up space.

Pat

Never mind I just realized how heavy it is and shipping would be too much.
 
I have a "cheepo" from Wal Mart. Hook it in the "D" ring in the floor and up to a charged battery. Its pulls slow but works. FOr safety I keep a chock under the tires as the car is moved foward the ramp. A roller is fairly easy to move. I also use it for the lift to pull cars on it.
002-38.jpg
 
I have a SuperWinch 4500 winch permanently installed underneath my countertop in my 24 enclosed trailer. It is bolted to a pedestal which is then bolted to the trailer crossmember. I have a dedicated deep cycle battery for power. My trailer setup is alittle unique since it was designed as a race car trailer with ramps over the wheel wells to allow a dirt track car to fit. My car sits ~ 1 foot higher than normal when in the trailer. The winch is mounted on a pedestal to keep the alignment correct.

Mike
 
and in my opinion, don't skimp on the quality of the winch. Nothing worse than a winch break while the car is on the ramps and watching it either fall of the ramps because the wheels were slightly turned or it flies down the ramps and takes out whatever is behind it before it can come to a stop.
 
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