Which Winch for my Trailer and how to mount?

[Ted]

A few weeks ago I purchased a 25' trailer with a 14k lb rating.

Right now I have no winch for it, but I need to put one on. Question is what. Reality is it's not going to receive very regular use, but I do expect to have some relatively heavy loads that I'll pull on it from time to time.

I've been looking at the Harbor Freight winch for this reason:

https://www.harborfreight.com/12000...-with-automatic-load-holding-brake-63770.html

It looks like Northern Tool sells the same thing, just with a different brand name:

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200672562_200672562

I recall previously having a Harbor Freight special on my old trailer and it held up remarkably well, but that was 15ish years ago.

Any thoughts?

 

[John221us]

Put it on a hitch receiver mount, so you can move it between your trailer and truck. You will get more use that way:
https://www.harborfreight.com/hitch-receiver-mount-for-winches-69106.html

 

[cgrab]

I second the hitch mount. I added a front receiver hitch for my winch and I can use it for front or back with an extension cable I made from a jumper cable. For the trailer, I would mount the winch on something like this:


Then mount a receiver vertically in the front of the trailer and you can use power from the truck with long jumper cables.

 

[Ted]

Anyone have any first hand experience with the newer and heavier duty Harbor Freight winches? I recall the one I bought 15ish years ago was rated at 5,000 lbs and was significantly smaller.

I also recall buying one from Sam's Club (that came with the hitch mount) for my Excursion probably 10 years ago, and that worked well.

 

[Lachlan]

Warn 8275. Been running one on my Jeep since 2002 and it just can’t be beat. Fast, strong, bombproof.

 

[SaltH2OHokie]

Have a 9k Chinese winch (I got it off Craigslist for a song, but I believe the branding was tractor supply). Has worked great and lasted quite a while. Used on my equipment trailer, my previous f350 and my Trooper...2nd two vehicles usage always included either mud or saltwater.

Have already decided when it craps the bed I am getting another Chinese special.

We even used it one day with no way to mount it to the vehicle and it worked great. Tied a basket up that essentially had it suspended inline between my buddy's trucks front tow hook and the tree we were pulling from. Every time you slacked the line the whole winch fell down in the mud. Hosed it off later and still works. That was 7ish years ago.

 

[3393RP]

I'd be more comfortable with the Northern Freight choice. Their warranties and customer services have always been a positive experience for me.

The staff usually includes someone who uses his hands to do outdoor and mechanical work, and is knowledgeable about the inventory.

Harbor Freight, not so much.