ZMotorsports Shop Projects 2.0

[SilverJimmy]

Mike, how critical do you think having brakes on both axles is? I’ve only had brakes on one axle with all the trailers I’ve had, what am I missing?

 

[stinkity stoink]

I feel as if Mike just disappointed a few people including myself by not building a trailer.
Congrats on the new trailer !!

 

[bugnut]

Mike, trailer looks great nice find! I too will miss the build thread.

 

[jbmatth]

Mike, I will also agree with the others that I'm slightly sad to hear you will not be building a trailer. However, I have pulled one of those before but it was the 14k variety, 102 Ironworks does a really good job with theirs and I was impressed with it. The only fault I had was that it was not mine.

JB

 

[madison069]

Glad you found a trailer that was close to what you were looking for! I know some folks thinks that building a trailer is no big deal, but it's time consuming and I'm sure you have other things you would rather spend your time doing.

 

[signcrafter]

Beautiful trailer Mike, Congrats on the nice find.

 

[aka Larry]

I know some folks thinks that building a trailer is no big deal, but it's time consuming and I'm sure you have other things you would rather spend your time doing.

Very true, but I'm sure I'm not the only one that would have loved to follow a trailer build thread by Mike.

I'm sure his new trailer is nice, but I'm positive that a 100% Mike-built one would be superior.

 

[madison069]

Very true, but I'm sure I'm not the only one that would have loved to follow a trailer build thread by Mike.

I'm sure his new trailer is nice, but I'm positive that a 100% Mike-built one would be superior.

Agreed, a Mike built trailer would be badass.

It’s just as I get older, I’m getting to the point of is it really necessary to build that or just buy one already built? Projects come and go, but Saturday morning breakfast with grandson are limited.

 

[zmotorsports]

Great find on the trailer, Mike! Although, like others, I was looking forward to you documenting your own build!!!
It’s somewhat similar to mine, a 2011 JimGlo tilt bed trailer, although yours has a greater capacity. I have had all of the Corvettes other than the 2023 on this at one time or another, including bringing the ‘69 home from Nashville, the ‘13 home from the dealer in Tulsa and the ‘19 ZR1 home from the Houston dealership (in honesty, I did have to build the approach angle up a little for this one). If you’re only half as happy with yours as I have been with this one, you'll have made a great purchase!!!

Thanks Gary. The JimGlo was another one I looked at for design ideas. As well as the 102 Ironworks Eliminitor series and I was able to get a lot of information and measurements from Robert aka @MP&C that I was extremely grateful for. I had several rough drawings and showed my son as well as a couple online. I think he was just as shocked as I was when I stumbled across this one. He didn't realize I bought it until he came by the other day to work on his truck and saw it parked in the backyard.

Do the fenders unclip then lift straight up and off?

Not sure if you are asking Gary or me. Looks like Gary's have studs and the fenders lift off and uses either wingnuts or regular nuts. The fenders on mine are stationary, for the time being. I will make them removable similar to how Gary's JimGlo trailer has them affixed.

That's a really nice trailer!

Congrats on finding one for sale that was so close to your wish list.

Thank you Rick. While not exactly what I had in my head, it's pretty stinkin' close and I can make a few "tweaks" to take care of the couple oddball items.

Trailer looks great, Mike. But we were ALL looking forward to your building g one. What are you going to do with all that steel you bought?

Thanks Scott. I actually hadn't pulled the trigger on steel yet. I almost did on axles however. That is what I was looking at and messaging a guy about when I ran across this trailer.

Mike, how critical do you think having brakes on both axles is? I’ve only had brakes on one axle with all the trailers I’ve had, what am I missing?

I wouldn't say extremely critical for most of what I plan on hauling Sterling. Do I absolutely need brakes on both for what I plan on hauling? Probably not. But they're easy enough to install I will add them anyways.

Most trailer manufacturers these days on these light to mid-weight capacity trailers only use brakes on one axle with an option to add them to the second axle. Most all 7k and 10.4k ones around here only have brakes on one axle, but it seems when you get into the heavier duty trailers from about 12k plus, they will generally be more likely to have brakes on both. I've seen them more in the enclosed trailer market on both than the open style trailers. I ran into this same issue back in the early 90's when I bought my 18' Big Tex with tandem 3500 pound axles, but I added brakes to the second axle.

 

[zmotorsports]

I feel as if Mike just disappointed a few people including myself by not building a trailer.
Congrats on the new trailer !!

Thank you. I'm sorry to disappoint, but it came down to time and money and this solved both pretty easily.

Mike, trailer looks great nice find! I too will miss the build thread.

Thanks Joel. I could have gone either way, but a full trailer build would be a lot of work and occupy a lot of space in the shop until completed.

Mike, I will also agree with the others that I'm slightly sad to hear you will not be building a trailer. However, I have pulled one of those before but it was the 14k variety, 102 Ironworks does a really good job with theirs and I was impressed with it. The only fault I had was that it was not mine.

JB

Thanks JB. Although this one isn't a 102 Ironworks, it's a pretty close clone and I have heard nothing but good about their trailers. I was actually quite impressed with the fit and finish of this one. I don't think it is quite as nice as the 102 Ironworks that I have seen, but it is pretty well made and the welds don't look too shabby. Much better than some of the other brands we have around here.

Glad you found a trailer that was close to what you were looking for! I know some folks thinks that building a trailer is no big deal, but it's time consuming and I'm sure you have other things you would rather spend your time doing.

Thanks Cody. Agreed, if anyone has built a trailer they can be familiar with the time and space they occupy during construction. Even my little utility trailer had a lot of hours into it during the build. As I was pricing out materials and components I had a price in my head all along about where I would draw the line "IF" I ran across a complete trailer. The last one I looked at was right on the bubble but the wife simply told me that if it wasn't exactly what I wanted, then pass on it and build one that is exactly how I want. I explained the time involved was just as important as the actual cost, but this one checked all the boxes and well under what materials alone would have run me, so it seemed like a no brainer.

Beautiful trailer Mike, Congrats on the nice find.

Thanks Scott.

Agreed, a Mike built trailer would be badass.

It’s just as I get older, I’m getting to the point of is it really necessary to build that or just buy one already built? Projects come and go, but Saturday morning breakfast with grandson are limited.

Agreed again Cody. Cost being a huge consideration, but the time is almost just as valuable, if not more so. The few items I want to change or modify are minor compared to the time to build a full trailer. This way I can focus on a couple other projects and maybe, just maybe if I run across a project vehicle and have time I now have a way to get it home.

 

[zmotorsports]

Hope I didn't miss anyone. I appreciate all of the kind words and sorry to let you guys down on a trailer build. This just made so much more sense from both a time and money perspective that I couldn't pass it up.

 

[MP&C]

Mike, how critical do you think having brakes on both axles is? I’ve only had brakes on one axle with all the trailers I’ve had, what am I missing?

I've seen some towing operations that didn't have the hitch at proper height and hence weight was not distributed well across both axles. I would think in those cases that having brakes on both axles would be leaving flat spots on one set of tires, but likely they only had one set of brakes... If they worked at all.


Mike, beautiful trailer. wish mine had that deck on it, I've got boards to replace SOON. I just know you'll be adding more anchor points.

 

[LXCam]

One of these days if the opportunity presents itself Mike I’d luv a picture of how they set up the springs. My 20ft open trailer is rated at 10k and rides like a brick unloaded but loaded like a dream. One of these days I’ll tear into it and figure out a solution. It’s got to be more than just a spring issue…I think.

 

[zmotorsports]

I've seen some towing operations that didn't have the hitch at proper height and hence weight was not distributed well across both axles. I would think in those cases that having brakes on both axles would be leaving flat spots on one set of tires, but likely they only had one set of brakes... If they worked at all.


Mike, beautiful trailer. wish mine had that deck on it, I've got boards to replace SOON. I just know you'll be adding more anchor points.

Thank you Robert, you know me too well. I've already laid out where a couple more swivel D-rings will be going as well as a couple of auxiliary ones that are removable from the front stake pockets. I also need to add a spare tire mount somewhere. On my last trailer it was near the front right corner on the side, seems like it might be a good option on this one as well.

As for the decking, yeah, both of my previous open trailers were wood plank floors and I swore I'd never own another.

One of these days if the opportunity presents itself Mike I’d luv a picture of how they set up the springs. My 20ft open trailer is rated at 10k and rides like a brick unloaded but loaded like a dream. One of these days I’ll tear into it and figure out a solution. It’s got to be more than just a spring issue…I think.

I took notice of this one when looking at it and it just seems to be the standard 29.5" between spring perches and 33.5" between axle centerlines. I've seen some off a bit and the equalizers don't lay right, but this one seems to be placed in the standard locations.

I must admit however, and I even mentioned to my son, that this trailer pulls beautifully, but rides rough. That is why I really didn't want to step to 7k pound axles with slipper springs. I figured if I use this trailer as intended, about half the time it will be empty so I didn't want those springs slapping the equalizer nor mounts while empty.

I am so used to hauling enclosed trailers that weigh much more and that weight smooths the ride out tremendously. I may also add one of my equalizer hitches to it down the road which will aid in smoothing out the ride quality a bit. Plus, I think he had the tire pressures maxxed out so the hundred or so miles home was a bit rough.

 

[Mr.zippy]

Mike, have you considered a bulkhead on the front of the trailer? Reason I ask is, I hauled a car on my flatbed trailer after they sanded the roads, and the hood had a bunch of chips from rocks being thrown off the tires. I always thought a bulkhead would have solved that and wished I would have had one. You could make it removable? Just spitballin!

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike, have you considered a bulkhead on the front of the trailer? Reason I ask is, I hauled a car on my flatbed trailer after they sanded the roads, and the hood had a bunch of chips from rocks being thrown off the tires. I always thought a bulkhead would have solved that and wished I would have had one. You could make it removable? Just spitballin!

Yes, a removable front stone guard is somewhere in the picture down the road. However, probably not needed because I have rock guards on the truck and the coach that work well and I've never had an issue with past trailers. I kind of like the looks of them and they do add a small level of protection. But there are so many other items higher on the priority list.

Also, keep in mind, I've been trailerless for 8 years now which is the longest stretch over the past nearly 40 years of wrenching so this is more of a level of peace of mind in the event I have a vehicle go down. Another reason I didn't want to spend a ton of money nor time on this as it is something that will seldom be used, but readily available.

 

[ntsqd]

Any evidence that a braked rear axle under a tandem axle trailer will tend to be the first to lock up in a panic stop? I know on my grandparent's GMC Coach that was the case, but that's a radically different suspension design.

 

[zmotorsports]

Any evidence that a braked rear axle under a tandem axle trailer will tend to be the first to lock up in a panic stop? I know on my grandparent's GMC Coach that was the case, but that's a radically different suspension design.

Thom, I can irrefutably say with a high level of confidence that under a tandem axle trailer, the "braked" axle will lock up well before an idle axle in a panic stop situation.

As for whether it will lock up before the tow rig, I would say there are too many variables to say one way or the other. Much would depend on how the trailer was loaded, how the brakes were adjusted, how the trailer brake controller was adjusted and how the tow rig was loaded. As a standard rule of thumb, the front brakes do the majority of the braking on vehicles, but I have seen very poorly loaded trailers cause the front end to be so light that they lock up first because in an emergency braking situation, the trailer weight is pushing down on the hitch, therefore decreasing weight on the steer axle. I'm sure I am not the only one who has seen so many scenarios that make you scratch you head pertaining to what people are thinking. Between the races, snowmobiling and duning for several decades, I thought I had seen it all, but occasionally I see a new one.

 

[Mr.zippy]

Thom, I can irrefutably say with a high level of confidence that under a tandem axle trailer, the "braked" axle will lock up well before an idle axle in a panic stop situation.

As for whether it will lock up before the tow rig, I would say there are too many variables to say one way or the other. Much would depend on how the trailer was loaded, how the brakes were adjusted, how the trailer brake controller was adjusted and how the tow rig was loaded. As a standard rule of thumb, the front brakes do the majority of the braking on vehicles, but I have seen very poorly loaded trailers cause the front end to be so light that they lock up first because in an emergency braking situation, the trailer weight is pushing down on the hitch, therefore decreasing weight on the steer axle. I'm sure I am not the only one who has seen so many scenarios that make you scratch you head pertaining to what people are thinking. Between the races, snowmobiling and duning for several decades, I thought I had seen it all, but occasionally I see a new one.

Like this?

 

[ntsqd]

I was thinking limited to just the trailer axles. Yeah, that whole tow rig & trailer picture gets really complicated and nuanced really fast.
Working the chain reaction of just the trailer suspension thru in my head I can see why some don't like walking beam trailer suspensions.

@Mr.zippy, what is wrong with that? LOL......

 

[zmotorsports]

Like this?

Actually, what I was referring to that I've seen would be the opposite. ALL of the weight on the trailer was on the front loading the hitch and therefore rear of the tow rig's rear axle, which unloads the steer axle and is exacerbated upon a hard stop.

 

[Mr.zippy]

Oh I got what you were saying Mike, the photo was addressing how badly people load, and use trailers. Not to mention overloading them or using a light trailer for too big of loads!

 

[ntsqd]

I have to wonder if he can generate enough braking inertia to cause that unsecured container to slide forward?
In my part of the world people hauling water in containers like that are pot growers.

 

[zmotorsports]

I don't know if there is any industry standard or not, but in my experience, trailers with one braking axle and one idler will usually have the braking axle on the rear if a boat trailer and front on a cargo or car hauler, merely based on where the weight is usually most prevalent. I'm sure there are other things to consider, but from my experience that is where I've seen their placements the majority of the time.

Now that being said, my new 22' car hauler actually has the braking axle on the rear axle, which did surprise me when I looked. I also noted that on several others that I looked at over the past year or so. But then I've seen a few from local builders that have placed them in both positions so I'm not sure if it is dependent on length, style, curb weight, intended usage or what factor determines placement, so I don't think there is any standard but as far as their effectiveness, I think it would completely depend on how evenly and well the trailer was loaded as to which placement would work best.

 

[SilverJimmy]

Mike, I picked up this winch @ HF for my flatbed car trailer to make loading my junk easier.

I also bought the wireless remote control kit. A couple of my racing friends have the same setup in their trailers for loading cars, works great in and out and the synthetic cable is nice too!

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike, I picked up this winch @ HF for my flatbed car trailer to make loading my junk easier.

I also bought the wireless remote control kit. A couple of my racing friends have the same setup in their trailers for loading cars, works great in and out and the synthetic cable is nice too!

Thanks Sterling. Although I'm not a fan of HF stuff, but I have to admit I have been looking at both that one as well as their 9500 lb. version. Seeing as how I'm not in a hurry, I may keep my eyes open for a used one over the next several months. It will probably be spring before I really tear into doing anything as I need to recoup my bank account from the actual purchase. Plus, any mods I make will require some paint touch-up and with winter on the horizon, I don't see temperatures cooperating again until at least April~ish.

 

[WoodsTruck]

Another scenario to noodle on:
Trailer comes loose from the hitch and pops the breakaway system. Now the trailer is ideally locking up those tires with brakes to slow/stop the incoming accident. Would 2 wheels or 4 wheels be better?

I have felt that 4 brakes are a bit more forgiving than just 2 where they will lock up less on loose surfaces creating a more uniform braking experience. I can say that since I had the brake wires snag on one axle pulling the joint loose leaving me with only brakes on 1 axle.

 

[zmotorsports]

Another scenario to noodle on:
Trailer comes loose from the hitch and pops the breakaway system. Now the trailer is ideally locking up those tires with brakes to slow/stop the incoming accident. Would 2 wheels or 4 wheels be better?

I have felt that 4 brakes are a bit more forgiving than just 2 where they will lock up less on loose surfaces creating a more uniform braking experience. I can say that since I had the brake wires snag on one axle pulling the joint loose leaving me with only brakes on 1 axle.

That scenario also plays out best with brakes on the front axle as the front will dip to the ground unloading the rear axle slightly in an emergency braking situation due to becoming disconnected with the tow vehicle. All of my trailers that I have had over the past nearly 4 decades have had brakes on both axles so this one will be no different, with the exception of my small utility trailer which has no brakes. Probably not absolutely necessary for both axles in all situations, but it sure gives me peace of mind, especially for minimal cost.

 

[zmotorsports]

So while we're on the subject of trailers and accessories, let me hear my fellow Garage Journal member's thoughts on this. On my last two open trailers, my winch was mounted dead center in the middle of the front of the deck. However, in my last enclosed race trailer, I mounted it offset to the left side of the trailer, viewing from the rear looking forward. It was actually mounted under the workbench favoring the left side of the trailer with a small opening cut under my workbench, pretty much straight inline or just inside of the tire/wheel path.

My thinking was twofold, first, most vehicles don't have center points in which to pull from and secondly, those low street rods and muscle cars have their lowest points at the center. So by having the winch offset to one side, it allowed me to attach a strap with rings around an axle or directly inline with the frame using an "S" hook or equivelant to pull the vehicle into the trailer. I only used it a few times as we had sold our race car shortly before purchasing our last race trailer and most of what I hauled were our sand race toys and they were easy enough to drive up inside. The couple of times I did use the winch in that trailer however, it seemed to work well.

What is everyone's thoughts on center mounted winch vs. offset mounted and reason why?


Thanks.

 

[madison069]

Wish I could comment, I’ve only dealt with center mounted winch. But I’ve used shackles to route my steel cable off to the side when I needed to pull a dead vehicle over when the trailer can’t be placed in front of the car. Is it possible to just use a shackle to redirect the cable as needed?

 

[zmotorsports]

Wish I could comment, I’ve only dealt with center mounted winch. But I’ve used shackles to route my steel cable off to the side when I needed to pull a dead vehicle over when the trailer can’t be placed in front of the car. Is it possible to just use a shackle to redirect the cable as needed?

I guess that would be possible, but one thing I hated when using a center mounted winch and pulling from one side of the vehicle is the cable stacks up on the side it is favoring. I noticed my offset winch didn't do that and it was easy to put just a little pressure with my foot against the cable to get the cable to wrap correctly.

I'm really leaning towards offset mounting it again on this trailer, but wondered if anyone else has done this or am I just that odd?

Every vehicle I pulled into my enclosed trailer rolled well, I worry about trying to pull one onto the trailer that does not want to roll easily with an offset winch, otherwise I see no real downside.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Have you considered building an under deck box mount for the winch ? It'll basically be hidden until you need it, pop cover off and unspool cable.

The only time I would worry about the cable stacking up if it started to put it in a bind. . . as too much cable. I'd be more of get it home, unload, unspool cable and re-spool it back in.

 

[zmotorsports]

Have you considered building an under deck box mount for the winch ? It'll basically be hidden until you need it, pop cover off and unspool cable.

The only time I would worry about the cable stacking up if it started to put it in a bind. . . as too much cable. I'd be more of get it home, unload, unspool cable and re-spool it back in.

Eric, I've been kicking around a tilt up style of winch that would fold flush with the floor except when needed. Just sketching a few ideas on paper at this point as that was the plan for the trailer build. I don't think it would be too difficult to incorporate into this one other than I'm sure I would have to add some reinforcements. Figured it would be a bit more work but look nicer than having an enclosure on top of the deck. Also will more than likely need to convert over to a powered hydraulic ram as once I add a winch it will throw the weight off for the gravity/hydraulic assist system. For long wheelbase vehicles, powered hydraulics are a bit more predictable anyways.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Eric, I've been kicking around a tilt up style of winch that would fold flush with the floor except when needed. Just sketching a few ideas on paper at this point as that was the plan for the trailer build. I don't think it would be too difficult to incorporate into this one other than I'm sure I would have to add some reinforcements. Figured it would be a bit more work but look nicer than having an enclosure on top of the deck. Also will more than likely need to convert over to a powered hydraulic ram as once I add a winch it will throw the weight off for the gravity/hydraulic assist system. For long wheelbase vehicles, powered hydraulics are a bit more predictable anyways.

Figured you would already be ahead of the gaming thinking this one out Mike. I started building the winch box for my enclosed trailer and when NMRA/NMCA ceased operations, it got put on hold. Enclosed trailer now holds the '98 Cobra donor car, 4 wheeler and is in winter storage. That "on-hold" project patiently sits on the pallet racking shelf.

 

[zmotorsports]

Figured you would already be ahead of the gaming thinking this one out Mike. I started building the winch box for my enclosed trailer and when NMRA/NMCA ceased operations, it got put on hold. Enclosed trailer now holds the '98 Cobra donor car, 4 wheeler and is in winter storage. That "on-hold" project patiently sits on the pallet racking shelf.

Oh I have a lot of ideas Eric, just not sure how many actually come to fruition though.

I keep telling myself that one day I will have another enclosed trailer, but unfortunately, at this point in my life, an enclosed trailer really isn't necessary. But man, oh man, did I love hauling around my enclosed race trailer all those years. There's something about having a rolling workshop with everything clean inside.

I used to tell my wife and son that thinking outside the box was a bit more difficult for me because my whole life was in a box. Worked in a box at home (shop), traveled in a box (coach) and worked out of a rolling box (trailer) while at the track.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Oh I have a lot of ideas Eric, just not sure how many actually come to fruition though.

I keep telling myself that one day I will have another enclosed trailer, but unfortunately, at this point in my life, an enclosed trailer really isn't necessary. But man, oh man, did I love hauling around my enclosed race trailer all those years. There's something about having a rolling workshop with everything clean inside.

I used to tell my wife and son that thinking outside the box was a bit more difficult for me because my whole life was in a box. Worked in a box at home (shop), traveled in a box (coach) and worked out of a rolling box (trailer) while at the track.

The wife looked at me a few times when I was building out he enclosed trailer after buying a bare trailer. After going to a few races and swapping plugs or making a jet change in the carb, she would sit on the fold over couch and watch. . . she began to understand.

I also knew a guy that laughed at the little 3' Wilton vise I put on the work top. . . . . ha ha ha what are you going to use that thing for ? I'm not rebuilding an engine at the track, if it's anything major, I pack up and go home. He ran Top Sportsman, liked to spend big $$ and did win a Wally with the help of one of his former friends. Unfortunately for him, he got caught with the wife of his crew chief friend, he sold everything in a fire sale and moved to Florida with no more racing for him . . . . then his 2-3 pack a day Marlboro habit caught up with him.

 

[zmotorsports]

The wife looked at me a few times when I was building out he enclosed trailer after buying a bare trailer. After going to a few races and swapping plugs or making a jet change in the carb, she would sit on the fold over couch and watch. . . she began to understand.

I also knew a guy that laughed at the little 3' Wilton vise I put on the work top. . . . . ha ha ha what are you going to use that thing for ? I'm not rebuilding an engine at the track, if it's anything major, I pack up and go home. He ran Top Sportsman, liked to spend big $$ and did win a Wally with the help of one of his former friends. Unfortunately for him, he got caught with the wife of his crew chief friend, he sold everything in a fire sale and moved to Florida with no more racing for him . . . . then his 2-3 pack a day Marlboro habit caught up with him.

That's too bad Eric. I saw too many fellow racers who were more talented and better funded than I was throw it all away over a fling. I never understood that, but it happened way too often.

My wife was a real trooper too. She'd kick back in the coach or in the trailer with a book while my son and I worked on the toys and she never complained.

That being said, as much as I enjoyed it back then, I think I prefer our life now with our traveling and enjoying the outdoors.

 

[ntsqd]

Former co-worker of mine set his flat-bed's deck winch with the fair-lead facing up and flush with the deck. There's good and bad in that, depends on what the priorities are. His was a hawse, but if I did that I'd want a roller fair-lead with a larger diameter roller on the "bottom."

As to offset vs. centered I can see a valid argument for either. If you have the room for it then centered with a 'Y' spreader to two pull points seems like the best bet. That's a long trailer deck, so I think offset and a single pull-point makes a heck of a lot of sense on a more typical length deck.

As I'm sure that you're aware, this isn't off-road recovery, with very rare exceptions you aren't going to need a lot of pulling power. Also likely that most pulls will use a max of twice the deck length's worth of line at the most. Could likely run a lower pull weight winch with the line shortened so as to reduce the number of wraps (& increase the pulling power) while also buying you some 'bunching' room on the spool. If you do put on a nose box and/or guard then can easily carry a line extension for the rare times when more cable length is needed.

ETA: Years ago there was a thread on wives & girlfriend's 'surviving a desert race' on Race-Dezert. The best post that I saw in that thread, and there were a couple that altered how I did things as a bachelor, was a post from a gal who was a vet of many races. She said "Guys can talk about shock valving forever, bring a book."

 

[NUTTSGT]

Right on Mike, right on.

 

[zmotorsports]

Former co-worker of mine set his flat-bed's deck winch with the fair-lead facing up and flush with the deck. There's good and bad in that, depends on what the priorities are. His was a hawse, but if I did that I'd want a roller fair-lead with a larger diameter roller on the "bottom."

As to offset vs. centered I can see a valid argument for either. If you have the room for it then centered with a 'Y' spreader to two pull points seems like the best bet. That's a long trailer deck, so I think offset and a single pull-point makes a heck of a lot of sense on a more typical length deck.

As I'm sure that you're aware, this isn't off-road recovery, with very rare exceptions you aren't going to need a lot of pulling power. Also likely that most pulls will use a max of twice the deck length's worth of line at the most. Could likely run a lower pull weight winch with the line shortened so as to reduce the number of wraps (& increase the pulling power) while also buying you some 'bunching' room on the spool. If you do put on a nose box and/or guard then can easily carry a line extension for the rare times when more cable length is needed.

ETA: Years ago there was a thread on wives & girlfriend's 'surviving a desert race' on Race-Dezert. The best post that I saw in that thread, and there were a couple that altered how I did things as a bachelor, was from a gal who was a vet of many races. She said "Guys can talk about shock valving forever, bring a book."

Agreed Thom, for a car trailer that will more times than not being used to haul a car that fully rolls a lesser winch will work fine as it is just overcoming some rolling resistance, and this deck really doesn't incline that far as some I've seen. I actually need to measure it and see what the angle is, didn't think about it the other night while I had it hooked up to the truck.

The reason I want to mount the winch inside a box is both to protect and hide it, but I don't like the ones I've seen facing upwards. I thought about adding attachment receiver points and then I could move it center or offset, but I really don't want to have it removable. Had one like that and it always seemed like I was just moving it from shop floor to truck bed to trailer mount and it was more of a PITA than it was worth. I figured I would make this one attached and forget about it.