Mounting Trailer Winch

[Jerry_NJ]

I purchased a new Reese 1,500 pound Trailer Winch and on mounting it on my existing boat trailer I find the Winch sits a little lower that the old one. This is because of the need to find two holes aligned for mounting, or drilling a new one. In any case the Winch could not be more than about 2" higher before it hits the bow stop brace.

As can be seen in the picture the strap has about a 45 degree angle downward. I think this has little effect when dragging the boat onto the trailer in the water, and the downward pressure when towing could be a plus.

Another issue that came to my attention upon reading the Reese mounting instructions I see the words: " ..winch is designed for the load to be applied in-line with the frame base." This would mean the Winch would have to be mounted on a frame that runs parallel to the trailer frame. This has never been the case on any trailer I've seen or owned, and while it my be necessary if the full 1,500 pounds of load were pulled, I think the pull necessary to move 500 pounds of aluminum boat still partially supported by water takes no more than a couple hundred pounds of load on the pull strap. Agree?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Mounting Trailer Winch

It could work as you have it, but it seems like the forces while winching are at the wrong angle/direction.

I wouldn't worry about the winch capacity, that should be fine.

What I would do is...

remove the bow stop bracket and move it forward, so the bracket extends down into the winch post.
Then I would raise the winch up, using the lower bow stop hole for both the winch and the bow stop.
Drill another hole for the lower winch bolt if needed.

This raise the winch about 3", and lessen the angle of the winch strap.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Mounting Trailer Winch

Another alternative would be to remove the winch, turn it to were the handle is on the other side and the rewrap the strap in the opposite direction so that it is still coming off the top.

 

[Jerry_NJ]

Re: Mounting Trailer Winch

Good ideas, I hadn't considered moving the bow stop bracket to the inside of the vertical trailer post. I'll have to check, and get a longer 3/8" bold. This will move the bow stop forward less than an inch, I estimate, and that next to nothing relative to the 14' boat.

Yes, turning the winch over would move the belt up. I'm not sure how the strap locks to the wheel, but that may be the simplest way and doesn't require changing the "factory" choice of mounting the bow stop. I believe the strap has a loop on the start end and there is a rod/bolt that holds it in the winch.

The old winch I took off has a much smaller wheel, and looks like it has been on the trailer for the previous 25 years, some rust. I'll hold it up to see how it pulled on the boat, but I do recall it too had some downward angle, more than exists on my Grumman 14' (which the Discovery was purchased to replace due to the storm damage that befell the Grumman). This winch has a stop cough that works in both directions so it can winch in either rotation. I don't recall that being the case with my other two winch experiences.

I pointed out the orientation of the winch as I had considered the capacity of the winch to be for a winch mounted as mine is. My boat is light and I doubt I could develop enough force on the handle to generate 1,500 pounds of pull. I suppose someone might use this type winch in a vertical orientation and use it to life a load such as a pail from a well. Then the direction of pull has to be horizontal to the base mounting.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Mounting Trailer Winch

Consider something like this?

 

[Jerry_NJ]

Re: Mounting Trailer Winch

Very interesting and NICE photoshop work too : )

I hadn't considered that possibility and it should work, and adds some important improvement:
1) places the winch in a position that the forces are closer to parallel to the base.
2) raises the belt to almost level with the boat pull loop (what is that called?)
3) keeps the ratchet in a better position than turning the winch over in its current mount position. I'm not sure the ratchet lock works upside down, may also be a problem with the upside down horizontal mount.

If the arguments above are not consistent I am thinking (I try at least) while typing - this practice may have something to do with my high typo production.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Mounting Trailer Winch

The UncleWillie solution looks to be a good one as long as the bowstop mount is strong enough to keep from flexing while winching up.
I'd give it a shot!

 

[Jerry_NJ]

Re: Mounting Trailer Winch

I remain a bit worried about the ratchet key (don't know what it is called). In UW's great idea the ratchet is upside down. I can test but form my mind's eye I think the ratchet key may not work - albeit I recall the key position being friction, not gravity, stopped.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Mounting Trailer Winch

I remain a bit worried about the ratchet key (don't know what it is called). In UW's great idea the ratchet is upside down. I can test but form my mind's eye I think the ratchet key may not work - albeit I recall the key position being friction, not gravity, stopped.

I believe you will find that it is Spring Loaded. Click, Click, Click!

 

[Jerry_NJ]

Re: Mounting Trailer Winch

UW, may be, but I do recall this key is two-way, works both for pull and release a load - a feature I have never needed, nor do I expect to.

I was just out putting some PB-whatever to loosen up the bow arm nuts.. boy is it HHH here in NJ. It is even too hot to be on the lake. But I need to replace the impeller anyway and still haven't ordered the part(s) - from iboats is my plan. This is a subject of another post I made on Yamaha engines - and I've gotten in trouble for double posting - hope this comment doesn't reach that level. Too hot to work on anything, even mowing on a tractor put me into a sweat-fit.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Mounting Trailer Winch

You are WAY over-thinking the winch Ratchet Pawl Issue.
It is an over-centered spring configuration; Much like any Toggle Light Switch in the house.

You operate it every time you use the boat.
You flip it one way to release the winch strap and the handle free wheels. Clickity Clickity ,Click!
And then flip it the other way to recover the boat and keep it on the trailer. Click, Clack, Click!

If your doesn't have a spring holding it in position,
Something is Seriously Wrong, and that winch is in Danger of Spontaneously releasing if you hit a bump.

 

[Jerry_NJ]

Re: Mounting Trailer Winch

Thanks, I'll check on the spring, or not.

 

[Valley Boater]

Re: Mounting Trailer Winch

I had a similar problem and found this winch stand (inc. roller) on-line for about $75. Had to move the post forward some but it didn't alter the weight distribution or boat position.

 

[Jerry_NJ]

Re: Mounting Trailer Winch

Seaman,

Your picture doesn't show the winch, does it sit on the horizontal platform? That would position my winch in the preferred orientation, which few have as most are mounted on the versicle bar.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Mounting Trailer Winch

Yes, it would mount on the horizontal section. It's nice, but it doesn't matter too much as long as the angle of the strap itself is roughly flat to the bow eye.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Mounting Trailer Winch

I had a similar problem and found this winch stand (inc. roller) on-line for about $75. Had to move the post forward some but it didn't alter the weight distribution or boat position.

View attachment 203646

While you are still adjusting,
Lower the rollers to where they are just above and touching the Bow Eye.
The first Aggressive Braking you do will have the boat coming forward and up until they Touch

 

[Jerry_NJ]

Re: Mounting Trailer Winch

Here's the "roscoe" proposal, was easy to do (needed only one longer new 3/8" bolt). Looks good to my eye.

Thanks,

 

[roscoe]

Re: Mounting Trailer Winch

Yeah.

roscoe had an idea that worked. first time for everything

looks good.