Custom Receiver-Mounted Trailer Winch
05-18-2009 | 03:17 PM
#1
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From: Wisconsin
Custom Receiver-Mounted Trailer Winch
I finally completed a project that I've been working on for over a year. I wanted a winch for my 18' flatbed trailer, but wanted it to be protected from weather and theft and to be removable for use on my truck receiver hitch.
What I came up with is the following. The winch is a 12,000# Atlas with a corded hand-held controller plus a wireless remote. The box is mounted on a 2" solid steel receiver draw bar. The draw bar slides into a 2" receiver that is welded on a steel platform on the front of the trailer A-frame. This is all heavily reinforced to handle the worst possible stress while winching.
There is an Optima blue-top secured in the box to provide stand-alone power, and it can recharged from the truck batteries through a switched connection.
There are also red LED stop/tail/turn lights on the rear of the box to provide additional visibility, plus white LED backup lights that can also be turned on separately for night loading plus strobe as emergency lighting for roadside protection. These white LEDs backfeed into the truck backup lights (also LED) to provide additional lighting and strobe capabilities.
The box is quite heavy and takes two people to move it safely (hence the numerous handles). However, I use my forklift to move it when I'm alone, and it will spend the vast majority of the time living on the trailer which is parked indoors.
I've uploaded pictures to my gallery but they haven't been approved yet. Here is a link to a video of the strobes in action.
What I came up with is the following. The winch is a 12,000# Atlas with a corded hand-held controller plus a wireless remote. The box is mounted on a 2" solid steel receiver draw bar. The draw bar slides into a 2" receiver that is welded on a steel platform on the front of the trailer A-frame. This is all heavily reinforced to handle the worst possible stress while winching.
There is an Optima blue-top secured in the box to provide stand-alone power, and it can recharged from the truck batteries through a switched connection.
There are also red LED stop/tail/turn lights on the rear of the box to provide additional visibility, plus white LED backup lights that can also be turned on separately for night loading plus strobe as emergency lighting for roadside protection. These white LEDs backfeed into the truck backup lights (also LED) to provide additional lighting and strobe capabilities.
The box is quite heavy and takes two people to move it safely (hence the numerous handles). However, I use my forklift to move it when I'm alone, and it will spend the vast majority of the time living on the trailer which is parked indoors.
I've uploaded pictures to my gallery but they haven't been approved yet. Here is a link to a video of the strobes in action.
Last edited by Blast Chamber; 05-18-2009 at 03:58 PM. Reason: Added video link
05-18-2009 | 08:32 PM
#3
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 764
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From: Flagstaff, AZ
That setup looks well thought out. I like the idea of having the winch in a box, but it will make guiding the cable onto the spool more difficult.
I'm planning on adding a winch to my trailer. I've already purchased the winch, a Milemarker 8K. I don't plan on adding a stand alone battery. I've run a 1/0 cable to the rear of the truck to power the winch. I'm also going to run the Amsteel blue synthetic winch rope, if the steel cable breaks you or your truck could be injured.
I'm planning on adding a winch to my trailer. I've already purchased the winch, a Milemarker 8K. I don't plan on adding a stand alone battery. I've run a 1/0 cable to the rear of the truck to power the winch. I'm also going to run the Amsteel blue synthetic winch rope, if the steel cable breaks you or your truck could be injured.
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