Trailer winch question

cgm147

cgm147

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2008
Location
salisbury
So I finally bought a 5000 lb winch for my trailer to haul junk thats not running and have yet to mount it. So my question is whats the best way to power it? Ive seen the battery on the trailer deal but id rather do something better and or permanent. Id like to do a quick connect at the rear bumper but have yet to find somewhere local to buy the connections. Can you get the connections at a local electronic supply house?
 
last time I bought some were from AW direct.
 
I bought a bunch of big cable and connectors from genuinedealz.com

Given that the website has a misplaced Z in the name, I half expected to get ripped off, but stuff was competitively priced and showed up within a few days.
 
Also, if you're going to run a big positive cable through the chassis, make sure to put a big fuse (I like ANLs) at the battery. I'd guess that a 200A should be plenty.
 
Ok thanks guys I'm going to swing by desco Friday and see what the have... and maybe to my local guys stereo shop for a good fuse setup
 
Just an FYI, don't count on that 5000lb winch to pull heavy stuff. I bought a 6k winch for my trailer and when I tried to pull a shortbed, standard cab, small block, 2wd F150 onto the trailer it wouldn't do it. A WJ Grand Cherokee is about the heaviest thing it'll pull on the trailer.

Just a heads up, mine left me in a pinch. :lol:
 
Blaze said:
Just an FYI, don't count on that 5000lb winch to pull heavy stuff. I bought a 6k winch for my trailer and when I tried to pull a shortbed, standard cab, small block, 2wd F150 onto the trailer it wouldn't do it. A WJ Grand Cherokee is about the heaviest thing it'll pull on the trailer.

Just a heads up, mine left me in a pinch. :lol:
Click to expand...


Snatch block will help that.
 
Snatch blocks also help by pulling more cable off the drum getting you closer to the winch's max rating. If you have a 20' trailer, instead of just pulling 20' off the drum, you will be pulling 40' off the drum.
 
shawn said:
I like ANL
Click to expand...
:lol:

You can also get a high amperage circuit breaker and easily cut power if ever needed.

You can find the wiring quick connects on Amazon for cheap.
http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Conne...038300&sr=8-2&keywords=battery+quick+connects

Personally though, for what you'll pay for in wire to run all the way to the back of your truck, then across the tongue of the trailer you can probably buy a battery and a battery box for cheaper and just keep it charged off your 7way plug.
 
GCncsuHD said:
:lol:

You can also get a high amperage circuit breaker and easily cut power if ever needed.

You can find the wiring quick connects on Amazon for cheap.
http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Connect-Driver-Recovery-Products/dp/B007JMTS14/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1403038300&sr=8-2&keywords=battery quick connects

Personally though, for what you'll pay for in wire to run all the way to the back of your truck, then across the tongue of the trailer you can probably buy a battery and a battery box for cheaper and just keep it charged off your 7way plug.
Click to expand...

This is the cheapest way, worked well for me
 
I don't think 5k is too small. I've been using a 3k HF ATV winch, one of the old $49 specials, for years and it has pulled full size rigs with locked up axles up on the trailer. That said I do employ the use of a snatch block (or two) if needed. As far as wiring, I carry a good set of jumper cables with good copper ring terminals on one end to connect to the winch. This way I can use the winch no matter what I'm towing with.
 
Last edited:
Len's winch pulled our old Bronco carcass up on the trailer. No tires, no axles, just sitting on wood sleepers.
 
Well almost got it finished today. Just waiting on my quick connections from napa.
uploadfromtaptalk1403306897136.jpg
uploadfromtaptalk1403306897136.jpg
 

Attachments

  • uploadfromtaptalk1403306914774.jpg
    uploadfromtaptalk1403306914774.jpg
    128.4 KB · Views: 335
  • uploadfromtaptalk1403306927921.jpg
    uploadfromtaptalk1403306927921.jpg
    147.7 KB · Views: 319
This reminds me...I need a winch on my trailer!
 
uploadfromtaptalk1403346594885.jpg


I built a winch plate for mine. I have just been hooking up a battery for now but I've heard that you can use a spare pin in the trailer wiring harness so it'll charge the battery while truck is hooked to the trailer.

Also don't count those small winches out my hpfp went on my powerstroke and my warn 5k pulled it up on the trailer.
 
Nice yea I just used the winch plate it came with its super small but the front three bolts are centered in a piece of angle that runs the width of the trailer.
 
So used it for the first time yesterday. Not impressed with its performance... guess that's what I get for cheaping out. It worked but would shut off about ever 4 inches of pull once I got the car onto the ramps.. with flat tires. Couldn't find the snatched block I just bought that would of been a big help. Also kinked the cable in two spots smh on the first pull. Oh well I worked but took a while.
 
Baker said:
I've heard that you can use a spare pin in the trailer wiring harness so it'll charge the battery while truck is hooked to the trailer.
Click to expand...

You mean the one that's supposed to be charging your breakaway battery. But if you put a big battery on the trailer for the winch, you can just ditch the little breakaway battery and use the big one instead.
 
Shawn do you happen to have a diagram showing how to do that? I've only had to use the winch a few times so I just borrowed the battery from my CJ
 
Baker said:
Shawn do you happen to have a diagram showing how to do that? I've only had to use the winch a few times so I just borrowed the battery from my CJ
Click to expand...

If you are looking at the truck end of a 7 way, it should be the top left terminal, (usually black on trailer harnesses). That is the +12v battery charging terminal.

Some setups use the center "auxiliary" pin as a charging wire, but most newer trucks have that pin wired to reverse instead for RVs with reverse lights. Your F250 has that pin wired to reverse, just use the already dedicated 12v pin.
 
Ok thanks
 
Back
Top