Recommended Fulton Winch and Roller Bunks for Ram-Lin Single Axle Trailer with Wooden Bunks

Question:

Looking at Fulton F2 winch. I have 2009 Ski Nautique 196 with dry gross weight around 2,640lbs on Ram-Lin single axle trailer with wooden bunks. Which one do you recommend? Thanks.

asked by: Mike W

Expert Reply:

Trailer winches, like trailer jacks and hitches, are best selected to provide a healthy safety margin in their weight capacity. All such items tend to last longer and work better when they are not operated at their limits.

For a boat that weighs in the range of 2700-lbs you want to choose a winch that offers at least half that weight in pulling capacity.

The Fulton XLT # F142425 is a 2-speed winch rated for 3200-lbs. This includes a 20'strap and a 10" handle. This winch will work great and last a long time in your application. It totally qualifies as overkill in terms of capacity. And we know what they say about overkill...a little is good, but more is better.

Anything you can do to reduce your boat's sliding friction, such as installing roller bunks like # DL21741 on top of your wooden bunk boards, will substantially reduce the bunk-to-hull friction. This in effect is the same as using a winch rated for many times the actual rated capacity. You do not have to use rollers with the XLT but you will certainly take much of the operating stress off the winch by doing so.

expert reply by: Adam R