Replacing Trailer Winch

  • Steve Root
    South St. Paul, MN
    Posts: 5625
    May 23, 2014 at 11:31 am #1355757

    The winch on my 1990 Spartan trailer is on it’s last legs. Chipped teeth in the gears, lots slop, grinding noises. I don’t drive on to my trailer so I’m doing a lot of winching. Time to replace it.

    A couple of questions:

    Are there good brands and bad brands? Anything to be avoided?

    I don’t know what my rig weighs. It’s a 16 foot Lund Predator II with a 60 horse Merc on the back, two #27 batteries and 20 gallons of gas. How big of a winch do I need, 2500 pounds?

    I see they make winches with two different gear ratios. I’ve often thought it would be nice to have a higher gear ratio to pick up slack quickly, and then be able to gear down when the load gets heavier. Any issues with this?

    Thanks in advance guys and I hope everyone has a good weekend.

    Rootski

    dbright
    Cambridge
    Posts: 1873
    May 23, 2014 at 11:51 am #1412068

    From past experience I would avoid the Atwood winches at ff.

    Huntindave
    Shell Rock Iowa
    Posts: 3088
    May 23, 2014 at 11:58 am #1412070

    Quote:

    I see they make winches with two different gear ratios. I’ve often thought it would be nice to have a higher gear ratio to pick up slack quickly, and then be able to gear down when the load gets heavier. Any issues with this?

    Thanks in advance guys and I hope everyone has a good weekend.

    Rootski

    That is a nice feature if you are winching on the majority of the time.

    Mudshark
    LaCrosse WI
    Posts: 2973
    May 23, 2014 at 12:44 pm #1412075

    Quote:

    I see they make winches with two different gear ratios. I’ve often thought it would be nice to have a higher gear ratio to pick up slack quickly, and then be able to gear down when the load gets heavier. Any issues with this?

    My boat weighs about the same as yours and a 2 speed is great!!
    With old guy arms even I can winch it on with ease in low..

    Mine is a Dutton and has been trouble free for 6 years

    Eric Rehberg
    Eau Claire, WI
    Posts: 3071
    May 23, 2014 at 12:59 pm #1412076

    Check out the fulton f2 winches. They do offer a 2 speed also. Very nice winches!

    shefland
    Walker
    Posts: 497
    May 23, 2014 at 1:34 pm #1412082

    just did the same thing this week, a fulton F2, #2600 2 speed, easy install, paid $114 and so much easier for those last 2 feet

    Mike W
    MN/Anoka/Ham lake
    Posts: 13298
    May 23, 2014 at 7:01 pm #1412113

    Two speed is nice. Got mine from fleet farm. Look over in the trailer isle. About $50 if i remember right. Think its a dulton. Ugly brown color. Removable handle has been no issue. My daughters can crank the boat up tight.

    Mike W
    MN/Anoka/Ham lake
    Posts: 13298
    May 26, 2014 at 6:39 am #1412257

    This is the one I have Steve but its brown in color. Its almost over kill for my boat as its one tough winch with a ton of pulling power. 4 gears side by side as compared to many with just on or two gear plates. You could drag your boat across the pavement with this if needed. Looks to be made in the good old USA to.

    Dutton Lainson winch.

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