Will Worn Out Wobble Rollers Make it Harder to Winch a Boat Onto a Trailer

Question:

i have a trailer with 16 wobble rollers the boat is extremely hard to winch up to bow cradle rollers are cracked and some have flat spots i have stripped out one winch already will this add to load on winch?

asked by: Ed E

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you do not have a winch with the right capacity. A winch should make it easier especially with rollers so I do not think the rollers are the issue, I think it is the winch.

Its easy to find the right capacity winch for your boat trailer. The boat-size-to-winch capacity is generally 2 to 1. With good rollers and short winching distances, increase the ratio to 3 to 1. But 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.

At the very least it sounds like you need a winch that matches the weight of the boat. Going even higher than that would just make it that much easier and the winch will last longer. You might also want to consider using roller bunks, # DL21741, so more of the boat is on rollers. I have linked our help article on winches and a link to our winch main page for you.

expert reply by: Michael H