What size winch for enclosed trailer and sandcar.

RR19

RR19

New member
Joined
May 24, 2021
Messages
20
Reaction score
10
Wondering what size winch everyone is running for pulling sand cars into a enclosed. I need it to take up as little room as possible and still pull a 3k lbs car into the trailer. Been driving it in but space between fenders and a motor that has a middle and up power band makes it stressful and causing unneeded stress on my clutch.
I like the idea of being able to pull the car in and I can watch from the front and my kid or wife can steer and hold brake if needed.
Naturally bigger is better and was looking at the 9k winch from HF. But got to looking at the 5500lbs utv deal with synthetic rope and thought that maybe enough and it takes up much less room. I'm bummed that the company that made the in floor mount went out of business. As that would be the ticket for me. If anyone has one you want to get rid of let me know.
 
I’ve used a 3500lb winch with no issues. And I’ve used a 5k with no issues. The steeper your ramp the higher the rating you would want.
 
Check Tractor Supply too...I use a 3500 lb, but my car is only about 2k. I wish I would have went with the 5k as it offers a remote option,...mine is hard wired only for the control.
Also suggest pulling from the back of the car to keep the tow cable angle low / less stress on the winch...I put one of these on my trailing arms and pull from the middle.
1740004318689.png
 
I have a HF 5500 with wireless remote control. The remote is really handy for doing this by yourself. My car is about 3300 lbs. and I use a snatch block to make it easier on the winch, and going slower makes it easier to stay within the fender wells because I have very little clearance. If I didn't use the snatch block I would rather have a bigger winch.
 
I went with a SuperATV 3500# Winch with Wireless Remote...works awesome!
 
Badlands 5500 short drum on my last 3 trailers. Pulls my 3300lb car in with no snatch block without batting an eye
 
I have 5 trailers with winches and ran the Harbor Freight Badlands 5k for years with zero issues. Stepped up to a HF 12k because it was an open box deal for $200. Then upgraded one flatbed to a HF 9500 and it's been great.

Highly recommend changing it to a nylon rope. 70% lighter and won't cut your hands.
 
Dockmaster said:
Personally I think the Badlands 5500 Long drum is about the perfect winch for inside a trailer. I put one in my enclosed. Add the wireless remote and it works great. Watch for a HF coupon to save 20% or more.

Click to expand...
This is actually the one I was looking at. I'm stoked to hear that this one works good. I'll probably be picking this up this week.
Now how do you guys mount it? I'm thinking of tieing in to a plate/cross member underneath.
 
RR19 said:
This is actually the one I was looking at. I'm stoked to hear that this one works good. I'll probably be picking this up this week.
Now how do you guys mount it? I'm thinking of tieing in to a plate/cross member underneath.
Click to expand...
Set it up like a 2" X 2" trailer hitch mount.
 
RR19 said:
This is actually the one I was looking at. I'm stoked to hear that this one works good. I'll probably be picking this up this week.
Now how do you guys mount it? I'm thinking of tieing in to a plate/cross member underneath.
Click to expand...
Depends how you trailer is built. I ordered my trailer with a winch plate built in. You just need to get it bolted into the frame structure. Either directly or with a backing plate or tie plate or angle.
 
Alright need to bump this to ask about battery setup. What type of battery is everyone using? And does it need to be on a charger when using the winch or does the battery have enough juice to load the car? I was considering wiring in a lithium battery with a charger and a old solar controller and panel that I have. Lithium has come down in price especially a 12v 50ah that I'm eyeing. I'm wondering is 50ah is enough.
 
I have a single optima blue top. Winches the car in no problem. No charger needed. But I do keep it topped off.
 
Should easily run it long enough to load all but the most damaged derelict on a healthy topped off battery.

I'd avoid the lithium for this since winches aren't kind to batteries. If the BMS isn't an absolute Nazi about things (read: cheap Chinese lithium), the solar might cause an unplanned BBQ cookout. Depending on the load, a smaller battery could also drop below BMS voltage and cut off.
 
Two of my flatbeds have regular lead-acid batteries and a small solar panel. My newer flatbed and 20' enclosed trailer don't have solar yet. My Silverado charges the batteries when in tow. If I happen to have any of my trailers at my shop I always throw the Optimate III battery charger/reconditioner on them. I wired up each trailer with a quick connect for the charger.
 
Oh yeah: make sure to test the brake with the cheaper winches. I've had a couple not hold well brand new out of the box. The ones that did have been find for years.
 
RR19 said:
Alright need to bump this to ask about battery setup. What type of battery is everyone using? And does it need to be on a charger when using the winch or does the battery have enough juice to load the car? I was considering wiring in a lithium battery with a charger and a old solar controller and panel that I have. Lithium has come down in price especially a 12v 50ah that I'm eyeing. I'm wondering is 50ah is enough.
Click to expand...
I would get a low cost AGM group 27 or 31 and be done with it. Most of those should be in the 100AH range. That will give you a decent number of load pulls before you have to charge. And no fluid level to have to worry about and mess with.
 
I had a car battery under the cabinet that I would power the winch with. Had more than enough juice for a weekend of loading/unloading.
When I got home, I'd put a trickle charger on it.
It was a battery for a 2017 MINI countryman. Group size 48 I believe.
 
My old sand car had a receiver built in to the rear cage. I made a portable winch deal to slide in and would hook it up to my battery. Mounted a big swivel ring in the floor to hook it to.
Worked slick. 3500lb winch.20210310_172412.jpg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top