Winches and Winch Parts

Winches and Winch Parts

TRAILER WINCHES & WINCH ACCESSORIES

Trailer Parts Superstore® offers a wide selection of boat trailer winches and cargo control winches. Shop for electric trailer winches from DUTTON-LAINSON, FULTON & POWERWINCH, or manual hand crank winches from FULTON, DUTTON-LAINSON & SEASENSE. Replacement winch cables, straps and ropes are also available.

WINCH TECHNICAL INFORMATION

HAND WINCH APPLICATION & SAFETY TIPS:

Fulton trailer winches are designed for use on boat trailers. To insure safe loading make certain that the rated load capacity of the winch is at least equal to two times the maximum pull on the winch strap, rope, or cable required to load the boat on the trailer. A general guide is for the winch rating to be no less than 75% of the total boat weight, including equipment. The breaking strength of the strap, rope, or cable should be at least 1 ½ times the winch rating. Breaking strength of the hook should be 1 ½ times the breaking strength of the strap or rope and 1 ¼ times the breaking strength of the cable. For safety purposes, always inspect the strap, rope, or cable and hook before each use. Never use strap, rope, or cable that is worn, frayed, or kinked. Never let anyone stand in or behind a boat, or near the winch line as serious injury could result if the line should break.

Routine maintenance can add years of service life to your winch and increase safety during use. The ratchet pawl mechanism must be clean and free of dirt and paint, as these conditions will prevent the ratchet pawl from operating properly. Maintain a few drops of automotive engine oil on ratchet pawl mechanism and bushings to keep lubricated and help prevent corrosion. The spur gears should have a film of grease on them at all times for extended service life.

ELECTRIC WINCH APPLICATION & SAFETY TIPS:

Electric marine trailer winches are designed for boat trailer use and easy loading. Some routine maintenance includes lubricating the cable at least once a year with WD40 or a similar product. Spray the shaft and the cable as the cable is being wound for maximum lubrication.

NOTE: when winding the cable onto the cable shaft with no load, keep the cable taut going into the drum. With no load, the wire rope will easily kink and tangle inside the winch. Other maintenance includes removing the cover and lubricating the gears with a lithium base grease at least once a year. Be careful not to get grease on the clutch lining.

Winch safety precautions include wiring the power harness with an appropriate size circuit breaker. Failure to use the breakers could cause overheating thus creating a potential fire hazard or motor damage. Never use the winch for overhead lifting or to lift or move people or animals. Always stand away from the winch when in use to avoid serious injury if the cable should break and whip violently.

The Winch is not designed to hold or support the load once a job is complete or to permanently secure the load. Once fully loaded, secure the boat to the trailer and remove the winch cable hook from the bow eye, then power-in the cable. Do not let the cable hook go into the winch and the level wind plate.

Various load conditions will affect the winch performance. The line pull required for a specific application depends on the weight of the load, condition of the trailer rollers or bunks, and the degree of the loading ramp incline. The chart below is based on a single line pull and is a guideline to aid in calculating pulling requirements.