A hand winch is a tool that makes it easier to pull or lift large
or heavy items such as:
Loading boats onto trailers
Multipurpose hauling or lifting of light loads
Note: Winches should never be used to hoist, lift, support or transport people. Winches should not
be used for loads over areas where people may be present.
Features:
Makes it easier to move an item by mechanical advantage
Available in all cranking types - hand crank, loop, ratchet
styles
Perfect for opening and closing large windows or doors
Winch Capacities
Hand winch capacities are rated with one layer of rope wrapped around the drum. For every additional layer, the capacity is reduced by an additional 10 percent. The table below shows the amount that pulling capacity is reduced with each additional layer of cable. For maximum efficiency, use only the amount of line required.
Winch Capacity
Layer 1
Layer 2
Layer 3
Layer 4
Layer 5
Layer 6
600 lbs
600 lbs
540 lbs
480 lbs
420 lbs
360 lbs
300 lbs
900 lbs
900 lbs
810 lbs
750 lbs
690 lbs
600 lbs
510 lbs
1,200 lbs
1,200 lbs
1,000 lbs
960 lbs
840 lbs
720 lbs
600 lbs
Finding the Right Capacity Winch for your Boat Trailer
Boat-size-to-winch capacity is generally 2 to 1
With good rollers and short winching distances, increase the ratio to 3 to 1
With wooden bunks and long winching distances, reduce the ratio to 1 to 1
For example, a 2,200-lb boat generally requires a 1,100-lb winch. If the same boat were winched a short distance with a low incline and with rollers in good condition, it can be safely winched with a 900-lb winch. The boat requires a winch with a 2,200-lb capacity if you are winching a longer distance with more resistance; for example, if the trailer had carpeted, wooden bunks or was set on a steeper incline.
Winching on an Incline
Static Loads vs. Rolling Loads
A static load (or dead load) is a weight without motion. The absence of wheels makes the load more resistant to pulling. The winch capacity is
listed for pulling static loads.
A rolling load (for example, a vehicle) can be winched or moved more easily because it has wheels. When winching a rolling load, the winch can
handle more weight than its rated capcity. On level ground, a winch can pull 10 times its capacity.
Inclines
Pulling a load up a ramp or incline adds extra resistance. To find the amount of load that can be pulled up an incline, multiply the winch capacity
by the factor shown in the chart. The multiplication factor shown includes a 10 percent rolling factor. Note: 5 percent incline is a 1/2 ft rise in 10 ft.
% Incline
Multiply By:
0% (Level surface)
10
5% (3-degree)
6.67
10% (6-degree)
5.02
20% (11-degree)
3.40
30% (17-degree)
2.61
50% (26-degree)
1.86
70% (35-degree)
1.53
100% (45-degree)
1.29
For example, a 2,000-lb winch pulling a rolling load on a level surface can handle up to 20,000 lbs. At a 5 percent incline, the same winch can
handle a rolling load up to 13,340 lbs. As the incline increases, the weight a winch can pull decreases.
Glossary
Mechanical Advantage
The factor by which a winch multiplies the force or torque put into it to move an item
Pulleys also increase the mechanical advantage
For example, a 1,500-lb, single-speed hand winch has a maximum mechanical advantage of 49:1 at its most effective (with one layer of
cable on the drum). This mechanical advantage can decrease to 15:1 as the cable or strap winds around the drum. The greater a machine's mechanical
advantage, the greater its output force compared to its input force.
Gear Ratio
The number of revolutions a larger gear makes in relation to the smaller gear
The higher the gear ratio, the more efficient the pulling
For example, a 1,400-lb hand winch has a gear ratio of 4.4:1. A larger capacity winch, such as a 2,500-lb, has a gear ratio of
17.3:1. Worm gear winches with a 2,000-lb capacity provide up to 40:1 gear ratio. Light-duty electric winches have gear ratios up to 570:1.
Freespooling or Freewheeling
The ability to freely pull cable from the drum without turning the crank or unwinding
Saves time and energy when attaching cable or strap to a load
Can be used to move an anchor point and keep winch cables straight
To attach a pulley block to the load you are moving, run the cable from the winch, through the block and back to an attachment
point close to the winch. A pulley block helps the winch cable stay closer to layer 1, so the winch is pulling at its highest capacity.
@JimM The # DL14730 provides a Zinc Tuffplate finish which offers pretty decent corrosion resistance. It doesn't include cable, you could use the # DL24104 cable.
I want a self braking hand winch I can mount on my boom located just behind my upper helm station. The boom is used primarily lift my inflatable dinghy atop the mother ship. The dinghy weighs 900 lbs with motor and fuel.
@JimM Something like the Dutton-Lainson brake winch, part # DL14730 would work well for you, however this really isn't intended for lifting. You'll want to make sure there's nobody under the Dinghy when you're lifting it.
I have a 2021 Shorlandr Boat Trailer with a Dutton-Lainson DL1802A winch. I want to upgrade to a 2-speed winch like the Fulton F2. I see no way to mount a new winch as there are no mounting holes. Suggestions?
Has anyone used a winch to help pull a load up an incline? With the help of a couple friends, I need to pull a 1000 lb hot tub up a ramp over my deck stairs. I’m unsure which type of winch is best and what size. I have a come-along but it is only 12’ and I need to pull it 20 ft. Any suggestions?
A hand winch can certainly help to pull a load up an incline.One with a hand brake is probably your safest option so you can manually control the release. I recommend the Dutton-Lainson # DL14830 specifically that can be used with the 25' Cable # DL24102.
The size winch that you will need depends on a couple of different factors. I have included part of our hand winch FAQ below regarding boat winches and have linked the FAQ article for you to view. Finding the Right Capacity Winch for your Boat…
The Kenda 4.80-12 Bias Trailer Tire with 12" Galvanized Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - Load Range B #AM30590 have a max speed of 65 mph. When trailer tires are not speed rated with a letter, the default is 65 mph max. I've attached an article…
Finding the right capacity winch for your boat trailer is fairly simple but you have factors that must be taken into consideration. Boat-size-to-winch capacity is generally 2 to 1. With good rollers and short winching distances, you could increase…
You would not be able to mount a winch to a wood bed if you are going to put any kind of load on it. You would need to get the winch mounted to the steel frame somehow. To do this you can use U bolts to attach through the wood bed to the trailer…
I have just what you will need. I have linked an FAQ article that explains the various ways to wire a winch. You will need the second half of the page titled Option 2: Wiring the Winch to a Separate, Trailer-Mounted Battery. I have also included a…
The Bulldog Winch 1.8 hp Trailer Winch #BDW15019 draws way too much amperage to be powered by the 12 volt power circuit of a 7-way. If you wanted to power it from the battery of your tow vehicle instead all you would need is the wiring kit part…
The wiring that feeds the 12-volt accessory circuit on the 7-way trailer connector is of too small a gauge to allow enough power to pass through to run a winch. The main function of that circuit would be for lighter-duty applications, such as…
There is no longer a repair kit available for the Shelby 5351 brake hand winch. A reliable option to replace it is Fulton 1500-lb winch #F143100 along with 25-foot cable #DL24100. I have linked our main page for all brake hand winches that will allow…
I do have a solution for you, but it will not include replacing a wheel on your existing winch. Your Shelby Winch, model 5351, is a 1,000 lbs winch with a 2-way ratchet. If you need to replace your existing winch I recommend a winch by Dutton…
For this application, I reached out to my contact at Bulldog Winch and we came up with what we believe is what you will need based on the information you gave me. There are many factors involved here, so we are trying to cover all the bases for you…
Good news! The Bulldog Winch #BDW15019 will work great for loading your 18 foot car hauler with a vehicle up to 4,000lbs. We recommend using a winch with a line pull capacity no less than equal to that of the load being moved. For example, if a car…
The Bulldog Winch Standard Series Off-Road Winch #BDW10041 could work well on your car hauling trailer, though it is designed as a recovery winch, but it ultimately will depend on the types of loads you plan on carrying if the winch is the right one…
Jim M.
7/2/2023
I forgot to mention this is a saltwater environment and the lift height is 20’