What Size Winch for a Trailer

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Loren in Iowa

Member

• Aug 10, 2017

• #1

What size electric winch would you folks recommend to pull a 6,000 tractor onto a deck-over trailer, with a five foot beaver tail? Haven't needed one, yet, but you never know when you might. Any brand recommendations? Harbor Freight?

 

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jon_schram

Member

• Aug 10, 2017

• #1

I have the el-cheapo 9,000 lb Badland from Harbor freight mounted on a removable receiver hitch on my trailer deck ($225 + free 1 year warranty on sale). It works fine for what I use it for, loading vehicles and tractors. I think my trailer is 20' with a 2' beavertail. Never had an issue pulling anything up onto it.

It's not a Warn or other good brand, but It's held up pretty good. I pull it off the trailer and put it under cover when it's not in use. It does draw alot of amps...keep that in mind depending on how you are going to mount it, and how you plan to power it. I usually just bring along a spare battery in the box for the odd times that I need it. It's also pretty slow compared to other units I've used.

All-in-all it is a pretty good unit for what I use it for. Sure beats a come-along for winching a dead truck or tractor onto the trailer.

 

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504

Well-known Member

• Aug 10, 2017

• #1

Loren I would buy a 12,000#. Sooner or later you will need the extra power, and breaking a winch while loading could really be trouble at the wrong time. The newest catalog I have says $379.99, I do not think that is their best price,but that is the price today. Oops, I found it on pg 7, $289.99 with remote control. "Prices Smashed" catalog

 

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Lauren in IOWA

Member

• Aug 10, 2017

• #1

Have a 9000# on my high deck sometimes wish I had a bigger one.

 

wjytexas

Well-known Member

• Aug 10, 2017

• #1

got the 12,000# Badlands. it pulled my son's MF 65 with rear wheel weights and a flat rear tire up on my PJ lowboy without wheezing. I don't use it a whole lot but it's 3 years old and doing fine

 

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moresmoke

Well-known Member

Location

E ND

• Aug 10, 2017

• #1

I used to have a 9000 on my trailer. I often found it wasn't big enough. Worst part is getting over the hump on the tail the winch is about at its weakest point. I did get by with a snatch block and double line though.

 

Crookedwrench

Member

• Aug 10, 2017

• #1

Loren. I am well pleased with HF 12,000, remote, deep cycle battery,and snatch block. Mount a 2" receiver on front of trailer as high as possible. Regards and safe recoveries, Don

 

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IAtractorKid

Member

• Aug 10, 2017

• #1

I have a 7500lb Keeper brand winch from Mills Fleet Farm on my 18' tilt bed trailer. Have had no issues with it, and it has done everything I've needed in a single line pull. I have a snatch block to double up, but haven't needed it yet. I only have the Keeper because I came across it on clearance at a price that was too good to pass up. I was planning on buying a Harbor Freight 12,000lbs winch. For the price you can't beat them. Quality is good.

 

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bcdave

Member

• Aug 10, 2017

• #1

I put a 10000 lb Super Winch on my trailer. It works great. Made in the U.S.A. It is a little more money than those made in China but the sales guy said they have had no returns on them. When I bought my Plasma Cutter I got a Hypertherm for the same reason. A great machine and consumables are ready available.
Dave

 

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rossow (mn)

Member

• Aug 10, 2017

• #1

I have a Badlands 12K on my car trailer and it works flawlessly. It is probably overkill for the cars and pickups I haul, but I figure nobody ever says, "Darn, I bought too big a winch." For well under $300, the HF unit seems pretty good for occasional use.

 

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brian(MN)

Member

• Aug 10, 2017

• #1

I just loaded a 5000lb rolling tractor on my deckover using a 9000 lb winch. I don't know the make, other than made in China. It is nice to have, but I don't use it much. Works to pull scrap on the trailer too. A 9000 should work for you. You will need a good battery for it, it does slow down a bit when I get to the "hump". If you were to buy one and the 12000 is not that much more , you might want to consider the larger one. Either way, you're going to wonder why you hadn't bought one years ago! Brian

 

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Frank 41

Member

• Aug 10, 2017

• #1

Get a 12K from HF. I saw one in Urbana that was out of the box for $300 and if you get the flyer, they will be new for that. Mine works good but they un roll easy.

 

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D beatty

Well-known Member

• Aug 11, 2017

• #1

I have a 12,000 lb. HF Badlands on my trailer and built a cover to keep weather off it.I have read that they don't hold up if left out in the weather.

 

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4play

Well-known Member

• Aug 11, 2017

• #1

Keep in mind the winch rating is at maximum pulling power, providing you have all the elec power necessary and all of the rope (except last layer ) is pulled off the drum. It is not going to pull at the rated capacity with 3 layers of rope still on the drum. Most winches 8k or larger will draw over 300 amps pulling near or at max, a small, weak or low battery may not provide enough power or at least not very long. Another great thing to have is a snatch block, this doubles the pulling power of the winch but cuts the line speed in half.

 

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sms

Well-known Member

• Aug 11, 2017

• #1

I am very happy with the HF 12,000lb winch. I bought it for my small trailer and moving tractors but set it up on a reciever plate to use anywhere. Used it to load this truck, single line, took longer to chain it down then load.

 

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Keith Molden

Well-known Member

• Aug 11, 2017

• #1

Just keep in mind, regardless of the winch size, a snatch block or two can make all the difference in the world in the pulling power of a winch. They can also help greatly when having to pull sideways or straighten out a piece of equipment when it won't turn. I've had a 9,000 lb. from harbor freight for several years on my trailer and have loaded several tractors trucks and pieces of equipment with it. The only problem I've had with it is the control wore out and I now use a simple switch that returns to neutral when I let off it.

 

Meangreen

Member

• Aug 11, 2017

• #1

I forget what brand I bought, but I have a wireless remote control for mine. I can stand anywhere and run the winch.

 

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bmack95hd

Well-known Member

• Aug 11, 2017

• #1

The HF winches for the most part all have good ratings for performance and customer satisfaction. I bought the 12,000 rated one because the heaviest thing I can haul on my trailer is 7,000lbs.

 

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VicS

Well-known Member

Location

SE Il.

• Aug 11, 2017

• #1

I have a old 8000 warn. From a 60's bronco. Will pull a locked up wd45 allis on with a single line. Have it mounted in a 2" square tube wit h the battery.