Correct size winch - bolt hole spacing

[tangent]

I'm wondering what the standards are on hole spacing for winches and mounting plates. I have an old powerwinch that works only by hand now, so I bought a Fulton single-speed winch to replace it and found that the spacing of the bolt holes (side to side) is too narrow for the trailer mount. After searching this site, the manufacturer's and looking through catalogs, I can't find anything about the spacing of the mounting holes. I can go return this one or widen the mounting holes, but what is the right thing to do?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Correct size winch - bolt hole spacing

I replaced the winch on a 25 year old trailer. The hole centers were 1/8 inch off, on all the winches I looked at. I just drilled one hole bigger, on the trailer, not the winch.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Correct size winch - bolt hole spacing

No sure if there is a standard definition for winch mounting. <br /><br />Winches are used in many setups (workshops, cars, boats, different railers etc.) and at least the load specs for the winch will change the need for mounting base dimensions.<br /><br />I'd drill the trailer and reinforce as needed.

 

[tangent]

Re: Correct size winch - bolt hole spacing

Great, thanks. I'm also planning to put a separate tie down to take the load off the winch.