Lets hear your suggestions for a winch for a car trailer.
Although I am not the world's premier winch expert, here's a few considerations:
1. Rated pull of the winch is the maximum pull when the rope/cable is all the way out. As it winds onto the drum, the actual pull force goes down quite a bit.
2. Do you want a steel cable or synthetic rope? Steel cables are cheaper but store energy like a spring. So if it ever breaks under load, watch out! Bad things can happen. The synthetic rope winches cost a bit more but you don't have to worry about being harmed if one breaks. Just a consideration.
3. As others have said, you have the vehicle weight to consider, the ramp angle (pulling uphill), and then does the vehicle roll or skid or ?? All of these would add to the needed pull force required.
Ok, all that being said, what did I do? When I got an enclosed trailer last year and wanted a winch "just in case," I opted for a 9500# Rough Country Pro Series winch with a synthetic rope. Works great so far!
I also wire mine with these type of cable connectors. (Use the female part on the positive side of the battery end.) Makes it quick and simple to connect/disconnect the battery. $15 at Home Depot online. (I also have used one of these in the ground cable on one of my cars to be able to quickly disconnect the battery. They work great!)
Although I am not the world's premier winch expert, here's a few considerations:
1. Rated pull of the winch is the maximum pull when the rope/cable is all the way out. As it winds onto the drum, the actual pull force goes down quite a bit.
2. Do you want a steel cable or synthetic rope? Steel cables are cheaper but store energy like a spring. So if it ever breaks under load, watch out! Bad things can happen. The synthetic rope winches cost a bit more but you don't have to worry about being harmed if one breaks. Just a consideration.
3. As others have said, you have the vehicle weight to consider, the ramp angle (pulling uphill), and then does the vehicle roll or skid or ?? All of these would add to the needed pull force required.
Ok, all that being said, what did I do? When I got an enclosed trailer last year and wanted a winch "just in case," I opted for a 9500# Rough Country Pro Series winch with a synthetic rope. Works great so far!
I also wire mine with these type of cable connectors. (Use the female part on the positive side of the battery end.) Makes it quick and simple to connect/disconnect the battery. $15 at Home Depot online. (I also have used one of these in the ground cable on one of my cars to be able to quickly disconnect the battery. They work great!)
