Slightly O.T. - Looking for info on best car trailer winch to purchase

[Rwalker]

Are you able to set a code on the remote control on a warn winch like a garage door opener or do they come already set? If one remote works all it would be bad loading your car next to someone with the same winch.
Rwalker

[trulyvintage]

Originally Posted by Angledrive

John, I put a Harbor Freight 12,000 lb unit ($400.00) on my trailer and have had zero problems. Need to make sure cable winds back in with some tension. I am happy with it.
Tom

Bingo ....

(12) years in the business - I use this winch every day ...

Line speed is perfect - wireless remote control is well worth it.

Get the one year extended warranty - but you probably won't need it.


Jim

[tubman]

Does anybody have any idea how much "pull" it takes to get the average car onto a trailer? Before I had my winch, three 200 lb guys could push my 2200 LB race car up easily. I figure with one guy loafing and 6 shoes slipping on the dirt, it's less than 500 LBs, probably a lot less. For the average hobbyist, 12,000 LBs is probably overkill. Oh well, as Carl Kohler used to say : "If some is good, more is better, and too much is just enough!".

[blucar]

Tow vehicles, winches and trailers all fit into the same category, To quote "tubman".. "If some is good, more is better, and to much is just enough".. Think Fords V8 60.. Ya it was a V8, however, it was also the biggest joke Ford ever tried to push onto the consumers of America.
My tow vehicle is a Ford F250 4x4 Diesel Super Duty, I have two trailers, a 20' 10k enclosed and a 20' 8,500 lb flat. Both trailers have 10k/9k winches.
Many years ago I started out with a 1/2 tow vehicle and a 14' trailer w/ surge brakes on one axle, no winch. The first time I tried to load a vehicle onto the trailer. it took four of us with the aid of a tractor pushing, Pushing a vehicle (39 Chevy) up a 18" incline in the dirt. No fun!! I then bought two come-along cable winches. My next load was a '39 convertible, no engine or front end. Loading went better, two guys and two come-along cable winches, one of which broke just as we were about loaded.
It was obvious that I had to rethink my needs and adjust the equipment I was trying to use. I bought a 20' 8,500# trailer with electric brakes on both axles. I researched winches, opting for a 9k electric from Harbor Freight. I then got rid of the Chevy C10, bought the Ford Super Duty in 2002. I bought the 20' enclosed trailer in 2003, added the 10k winch within three months.
It has been my experience that tow vehicles and the trailers they pull, rise, or fail to the occasions that they encounter. I am constantly being asked to haul something for someone, I've learned the hard way not to loan my outfit (s) to anyone. My standard answer is usually, go spend $75 K for an outfit of your own..

[JM 35 Sedan]

Thanks again for everyone's response on this. I really appreciate getting your input. I finally bit the bullet last week and bought a winch. It's supposed to arrive tomorrow, Monday, so maybe I'll be trying it out soon. It's a Warn VR12000. I wound up buying it on ebay "buy it now" at $100 to $200 less than anyone else's advertised price. Just thought I would followup on this incase anyone was curious.

[Seth Swoboda]

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Originally Posted by VeryTangled

As far as I know we're still golden. You might get the Phaeton because it's probably more reliable. Of course I just jinxed it!

Oh my Jeff! That's quite an offer. The fordor will suffice for me. I'm used to the unreliable, builds character.

John, my apologies for hijacking your thread.

[A bones]

Originally Posted by JM 35 Sedan

Thanks again for everyone's response on this. I really appreciate getting your input. I finally bit the bullet last week and bought a winch. It's supposed to arrive tomorrow, Monday, so maybe I'll be trying it out soon. It's a Warn VR12000..

No disappointments there, use it in good health.

I used to run wreckers. ( roll backs were not in vogue then ) The winch for recovery, was beautiful when needed.

[sidevalve8ba]

Originally Posted by blucar

I am constantly being asked to haul something for someone, I've learned the hard way not to loan my outfit (s) to anyone. My standard answer is usually, go spend $75 K for an outfit of your own..

This quote reminds me of one of the best bumper stickers I ever saw. It was on the back of someones late-model pickup truck and it said "Yes, this is my truck and no, I will not help you move."

[1931 flamingo]

Saw that bumper sticker just yesterday ! ! ! !

Paul in CT

[VeryTangled]

I was just wondering... Any progress on the winch project? Photos?

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by VeryTangled

I was just wondering... Any progress on the winch project? Photos?

Jeff, not much progress to report here. As you know I'm a slow worker with constant interruptions. I do have all the mounting design worked out, and most of the steel pieces fabricated. Just need to bolt everything in place and give it a try loading some large sections of trees to haul to a lumber mill. I may take some pictures and post them here later.

[deuce_roadster]

I second the wireless remote use, love mine. Another thing I did when I built my open car trailer was that I welded a trailer hitch receiver behind the trailer jack, made a mount for the winch with the trailer square tube that fits the receiver. That way, you can take the winch off and put it in your shop out of the weather and not temping thieves when not in use. A trailer hitch pin keeps the winch secured when in use.

[Don Rogers]

John, Here is my setup in my new Pace 20' trailer. I used a 3500 lb winch with remote control. I also installer a voltage inverter with a deep cycle marine battery. I have a 120v outlet inside the trailer also.

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by Don Rogers

John, Here is my setup in my new Pace 20' trailer. I used a 3500 lb winch with remote control. I also installer a voltage inverter with a deep cycle marine battery. I have a 120v outlet inside the trailer also.

Nice job Don!!