Electric Trailer Winch Recommendation?

[JoLin]

6000 lb boat on a roller trailer.

My Powerwinch R30 stalled and started smoking, even though I'm using a pulley block. Should have been more than enough. That thing is a real piece of junk anyway (I've been under the cover and it's crap). I'm not interested in trying Powerwinch again.

I've searched and found recommendations for the Rule T60, but it appears they aren't being made or marketed any longer.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good high-capacity winch? I'm sure that Warn winches are good, but I'd like to get out for under $1000 if possible. I'd love to dump the electric altogether, but I'm getting old

Thanks.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Electric Trailer Winch Recommendation?

What ever you get, make sure your electrical conections are good, clean, and of the correct size. If they aren't all of the above, you will end up drawing more current than designed, and quickly smoke the winch. Just don't want you to take out a new winch if that was the reason the old one failed. As for brand, I can't help, as I' still have to eat my wheaties before loading mine on the trailer!

 

[JoLin]

Re: Electric Trailer Winch Recommendation?

Thanks for the advice. During the time it was winching, I checked the connection between the truck and the winch several times and it stayed cool. I was surprised when it dropped dead and started smoking from under the housing.

I'd had an issue with the connection plug previously and redid, cleaned and tightened the 'internals'. That's why I was keeping an eye on it.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Electric Trailer Winch Recommendation?

<bump>

Doesn't anyone have a heavy-load electric winch brand they'd recommend? I'm surprised.

 

[tboltmike]

Re: Electric Trailer Winch Recommendation?

I have a 35 year old Powerwinch and still works great. My rig is much lighter than yours but it is winched with single line all the way up, don't like dunking my hubs.

I do take it apart every year to clean and grease gears.

One thing I have found is that the screws holding the switch lugs loosen. A bad connection here could cause smoke. Stuck rollers can add a lot of load. Low voltage will jump up the amps. Check battery and the leads between the bat and winch also the ground.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Electric Trailer Winch Recommendation?

One thing I have found is that the screws holding the switch lugs loosen. A bad connection here could cause smoke. Stuck rollers can add a lot of load. Low voltage will jump up the amps. Check battery and the leads between the bat and winch also the ground.

Yeah, I know about the lugs loosening. That was the connection I fixed. Trailer is a 2009 and the rollers turn fine. Truck motor was ruinning during the time I was winching, and the wiring was carefully done (by me) just last year. I'll check everything again, but doubt that I'll trust that winch again even if by some miracle it still works.

Just for the record, I'd take a 35-year-old winch over this new junk. Pretty sure yours is made a lot better than my new one.