Winch vs come along for trailer

[Johnny A]

Evening, I need advice (again). I have a 8x8 snowmobile trailer (tilt aluminum) & wanted a way to pull yard tractors & snowblowers on it. SHould I use a come along system with a tow shackle/eyebolt or bolt a handwinch to the trailer?
Just concerned that exposure to weather (snow & rain) will ruin the winch where as the come along I can remove & use when needed.

What do you guys think? I attached a couple of links to the winch & come along.

Thanks all for all your help. I always go with the advice from members here at Garage Journal







http://www.harborfreight.com/2000-lb-capacity-geared-winch-5798.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-cable-winch-puller-61964.html

 

[Outlander]

I have a hand winch on my snowmobile trailer, had it on there for 20 years. Going on my 3rd set of springs, winch is fine!

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I put a sign vinyl. Cover over over my powered winch and never looked back.

 

[Johnny A]

Outlander, did you bolt it to the bed or make a winch post on the tongue?

like this pic ?

http://www.randpcarriages.com/trailers/images/90x96_tilt_hand-winch-06.JPG

 

[iagsxr]

Mount it ahead of the bed to allow for your hook length, choker chain or however you attach to the object being pulled. Otherwise you won't be able to pull it completely to the front of the bed.

You dig?

 

[CJM8515]

Hand winch is cheapest, powered winch is more complicated and costly. I prefer hand winch.

 

[Outlander]

Post on the tongue is best, although mine is directly on the tongue. When tilted of course it forces the rope over the edge of the bed. I used it to drag snowmobiles up for years.

 

[Cyberbear]

I'd prefer the winch over come-along for simple convenience. A quality winch should provide a quality finish against weather. I had a winch installed on my 5' x 12' utility trailer and it still looks good 10 years later.

 

[speed bump]

Having used come alongs to pull vehicles on to trailers several times I am setting up a removable winch setup on my next trailer.

 

[Jess]

I have a large utility trailer and after using a come-along, and then a hand winch, I bought a hitch mount and an electric winch. Put a hitch receiver ahead of the trailer deck and when I need a winch, place the winch onto the receiver. The plus is that I can use the winch on the back of my truck, and anywhere else I want to mount another hitch receiver. I use the cheaper plate mounts intended for bumpers, not the full blown frame receiver mounts. Not exactly the cheapest but I'm getting too old for too much hand winching...

 

[slip knot]

The hand winch on my boat trailer is 20 yrs old + and its never given me trouble. I would go with a hand winch and MAYBE use a extra pulley setup for a two line rig if you plan on pulling any heavy stuff onto the trailer.

 

[Ainsley]

Went with a winch mounted on the tongue for mine.
This is just the mock-up pic, i added supports laterally as well.

This is the roller guide/fairlead from the other side:

 

[sberry]

http://www.harborfreight.com/8000-lb-Cable-Winch-Puller-69855.html Not that it matters here but the 4T is a vastly superior tool and one of my top cheap tool picks. I ruined a couple smaller ones but this is so much stronger and a man cant really bend it so easily and has a size larger cable. I take the block off and use it single line.
If a guy doesn't use it regular and wants something versatile this is it.

 

[nadogail]

There most be some reason that winches are standard on boat trailers and come a longs are never seen

 

[Outlander]

There most be some reason that winches are standard on boat trailers and come a longs are never seen

Having pulled many a dead snowmobile onto that trailer I assure you a come along would not have helped the machines 'come along' one bit!

 

[M0SES]

I'll warn you that the worm drive hand winch is slow. It will take you longer than comfortable to wind in and out 8 feet of wire. I use one to hoist a canoe into my rafters and i cut the threads off and chuck a cordless drill on it. There is also no way to release and pull out the cable, Power out and power in. I'd look at a boat trailer style more, with a block you'd be faster with the same pulling power.
http://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-capacity-hand-winch-65688.html

 

[Johnny A]

Jess, any chance for a pic? I never thought of that way. My brother has a superwinch he has not used in years. Maybe I can swap off some tools for it & set my trailer up. So many great ideas out here.

 

[Johnny A]

Guys, thanks for all the advice. I got to start making decisions & the cost of everything. Ebay & craigslist will hopefully have some used stuff before I buy new at Harbor freight,

 

[rburke65]

Ah the 4T....... the ol standby.

 

[Jess]

Jess, any chance for a pic? I never thought of that way. My brother has a superwinch he has not used in years. Maybe I can swap off some tools for it & set my trailer up. So many great ideas out here.

I don't have any to send and the trailer is stored elsewhere. I'll be back there next week and see if I can get a couple for you. The winch is a cheaper Chinese model sold at Princess Auto in Canada, but you favorite import place will have the same stuff. I snagged a Champion hitch mounting plate from my brother and bought the truck end of the receiver to mount on the trailer reach. The winch also will fit into your tow vehicle receiver for those other jobs. I keep the winch inside when not in use for security reasons. I mounted another hitch plate on the floor of my workshop and set the winch up there to pull dead projects in or out. Beats using the pickup solo.

 

[csp]

Having pulled many a dead snowmobile onto that trailer I assure you a come along would not have helped the machines 'come along' one bit!

I take it you've never used a Lug All brand come along.