Power winch for trailer and remote?

[AllenW]

Seems during deer season its hard to find anyone to get out fishing with, that and I work in HVAC so most the people I work with can't get off this time of year..so

I need a easier way to try and get the boat (185 Alumacraft TS) back on the trailer by myself, so I was thinking a power winch, problem was either having enough cord to be able to get the boat squared on the trailer and still run the winch, or a remote set up..?

Any such creature??
tia

Al

[2jranch]

I'm in the same situation, I can fish when no one else can and find myself loading and unloading by myself. I had thought on the same lines as you are and would like to find a winch with a wireless remote. It seems I ran accross one about a year ago, but it was not cheap. The other option was to have a cord long enough that when I back the trailer in, I can hang the remote and the cable on my guides on my trailer and then when I pull up in the boat hook up the cable and push the button on the remote. Just haven't done it yet.

[usmcpaul]

This will solve your 'cord' problem and it seems reasonably priced. Just splice it into the "power" for the tension side. I'm sure you could find a dual purpose one that would work both the tension and the release sides, that way you could launch and return your boats remotely.

http://www.outletpc.com/c7299.html (http://www.outletpc.com/c7299.html)

[Hot Runr Guy]

This will solve your 'cord' problem and it seems reasonably priced. Just splice it into the "power" for the tension side. I'm sure you could find a dual purpose one that would work both the tension and the release sides, that way you could launch and return your boats remotely.

http://www.outletpc.com/c7299.html (http://www.outletpc.com/c7299.html)

The only problem (I think) is that particular unit is rated at 6amps max per channel, don't these winches tend to draw way more current than that? The concept is sound, just need to find a higher amperage-rated unit.
HRG

[AllenW]

This will solve your 'cord' problem and it seems reasonably priced. Just splice it into the "power" for the tension side. I'm sure you could find a dual purpose one that would work both the tension and the release sides, that way you could launch and return your boats remotely.

http://www.outletpc.com/c7299.html (http://www.outletpc.com/c7299.html)

Ya, something like that might work, I'll have to find the winch and see what amp draw is though.
One way would even work, getting the boat off the trailer is the easy part..:)

Al

Just found a 2,200# winch and it takes 70amps, bit to much for the suggested control..:)
Not sure how many pound unit I need to haul a 185 Tournament Sport out of the water though???

[MarkG]

Check these out,I believe some may already have the remotes as part of the package.

http://www.iboats.com/Boat_Trailer_Electric_Winches/dm/view_id.217615

[AllenW]

Check these out,I believe some may already have the remotes as part of the package.

http://www.iboats.com/Boat_Trailer_Electric_Winches/dm/view_id.217615

Thanks, looks like a 1500 to 2000# or so is what I should get.
Couple there look good, they have optional handles for if you lose power you can still get the boat winched in.

Al

[Hot Runr Guy]

the Powerwinch RC23 is $365 @ Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Powerwinch-Wireless-Remote-Trailer-Winch/dp/B001PGWXIA/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1258051070&sr=8-5

HRG

[AllenW]

the Powerwinch RC23 is $365 @ Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Powerwinch-Wireless-Remote-Trailer-Winch/dp/B001PGWXIA/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1258051070&sr=8-5

HRG


Thanks, looks like this may be the way to go, just have to look at mounting and mention to the wife what I want for x-mas..:)

Al

[perchjerker]

The only problem (I think) is that particular unit is rated at 6amps max per channel, don't these winches tend to draw way more current than that? The concept is sound, just need to find a higher amperage-rated unit.
HRG

that thing would probably work. all the current from the winch does not go though the switch, it is controlled by relays.

they have remote contolled winches, I see them all the time in catalogs. And you are going to want more than a 2000lb winch. I had one on my 18ft Crestliner and it was not enough to pull it all the way on the trailer. The one from Amazon would work fine

[yarcraft91]

Allen:

That Amazon winch would do the trick- I've thought about buying one, but haven't been motivated enough to do it yet.

I'm wondering at the problem of loading the boat onto the trailer alone with a manual winch. I've done this for years with a 19' fiberglass boat and a 16' aluminum, but those are roller trailers. It hasn't been a problem, just takes some cranking and seems to be faster than the guys using electric winches. Are you folks running roller or bunk trailers?

[AllenW]

Allen:

That Amazon winch would do the trick- I've thought about buying one, but haven't been motivated enough to do it yet.

I'm wondering at the problem of loading the boat onto the trailer alone with a manual winch. I've done this for years with a 19' fiberglass boat and a 16' aluminum, but those are roller trailers. It hasn't been a problem, just takes some cranking and seems to be faster than the guys using electric winches. Are you folks running roller or bunk trailers?


Thanks all, the Amazon winch has 40 foot of cable so that should be enough.

Yarcraft, I have a roller trailer, but how are you loading with a manual winch?

I can see a dock is probably a must and tying the boat to the dock, getting the truck/trailer backed in and pull out enough strap to get the hook on the bow, then trying to get the boat reasonably square to start winching.

I see Murphy striking repeatably here..:)

While I can see it working, I'm trying not to tie up the landing any longer than I have to.

Just seemed easier to get the hook on and try and guide the boat on as the electric winch did its thing????


Al

[yarcraft91]

Allen:
Well, you're right, I usually have a dock and wear knee boots. If no dock, I wear waders. Back in the trailer (19'- 'til the rear rollers are just wet, 16'- 'til the water is up to the lower edge of the wheel rims). I pull the strap out of the winch and usually drape it over the last rollers. Pull the boat up to the back of the trailer, put the hook in the bow eye and start cranking. The boats self-center on the trailers and load straight every time. In a strong crosswind, leave the stern line tied to the dock (used an anchor once when there was no dock) so the stern can't swing too far over. If I start at the same time as someone with an electric winch at the next dock, I'm often done first- the electric winches retrieve line at 10-15 ft/minute. Michigan forbids power-loading at State-run ramps where I usually launch.

Knee boots make the job simpler- no tightrope walking on the trailer frame. I use cheap slip-on boots from Ace Hardware (less than $20- last at least 4 seasons).

[AllenW]

Thanks
Ah...the boots do it, I could see it working better that way.
Now just to find size 15 waders :)

Al...Huston, we have a problem...

[yarcraft91]

Size 15 waders? Is that all that's holding you up? No problem- these people will fix you up! :rolleyes:
http://www.kmedrysuits.com/WADERPRICELIST.htm

Jeepers- and I thought I had big feet...

Yes- once I caught on to the boots, loading the boat by myself became much easier.

Another vendor of waders up to size 16.
http://www.bigcamo.com/Itasca-Big-Tall-Wide-Size-Range-Wader.php

[AllenW]

Size 15 waders? Is that all that's holding you up? No problem- these people will fix you up! :rolleyes:
http://www.kmedrysuits.com/WADERPRICELIST.htm

Jeepers- and I thought I had big feet...

Yes- once I caught on to the boots, loading the boat by myself became much easier.


Holy cripes and they go bigger....thankyouthankyouthankyou.....:)
I spent hours looking for someplace like this...:)

Al

[yarcraft91]

Do a Yahoo search on "custom waders". You'll get a whole list of choices.

[AllenW]

Do a Yahoo search on "custom waders". You'll get a whole list of choices.


Custom usually means expensive and I was hoping to avoid that...o-well

al

[yarcraft91]

Al:

Don't know if you saw the earlier post after I edited it, here's another vendor up to size 16 and much more reasonable prices, like under $200.

http://www.bigcamo.com/Itasca-Big-Ta...ange-Wader.php

I was joking about that first place- looks like it would be possible to spend near a grand on a pair of their waders. :shocked:

But- Hey! Somebody has to make waders to fit all those over-sized NFL and NBA stars who duck hunt and fish.

[AllenW]

Al:

Don't know if you saw the earlier post after I edited it, here's another vendor up to size 16 and much more reasonable prices, like under $200.

http://www.bigcamo.com/Itasca-Big-Ta...ange-Wader.php

I was joking about that first place- looks like it would be possible to spend near a grand on a pair of their waders. :shocked:

But- Hey! Somebody has to make waders to fit all those over-sized NFL and NBA stars who duck hunt and fish.

And us fat old farts too....:)

I once emailed the vikings and asked if they knew where their oversized players bought their clothes, their response was to come to a game and ask them..grrrrrrr

The last site was much closer to what I want to spend..thanks.

Al

[perchjerker]

I always wear those cheap rubber hip waders when loading. Guys on the other ramps trying to balance on the trailer look at me just slogging out into the water to hook up the boat always say "man I need to get some of those" lol

been doing it for years. I only have a size 13 foot though lol

[ffishman]

I have a heavy fiberglass boat. I load and unload all the time by myself. The main thing I/you need, it a couple of guides on the rear of the trailer. After many tries, I know where to stop when I back in. I then idle my boat up on the trailer. Then, its a small stretch(this is the only hard part) to hook the winch line on the bow hook. A few cranks, and the boat is up and ready to pull out. Most cranks have a high and low setting to make cranking easier. Even with the weight of my boat, doing it this was by myself is very easy.

[blueranger61]

I bought the largest electric winch from Bass Pro Shops. It was a cable winch. After about 20 ins and outs I switched the cable to a strap. If you load and unload near a dock you will only let out about 4'0" of strap and you are good to go. It was a wireless. I used in on my 621 Ranger. If it bogs down just had to back the trailer in a little further. I wished I would have bought a more powerful one, but did not want to spend $500 for one until I had some experience with one. The one at Bass pro was $169.00

[AllenW]

Appears that to mount a electric winch on my shorelandr I should replace the post, add the winch and this is starting to get spendy for the few times I can't find anyone.

I think I'll try the waders (thanks yarcraft) and see how that goes.

As long as I have a dock I think I'll be ok with the waders.

Least till I find that hole where some moron has power loaded his boat and fill them with 40 degree water..:)

Al

[mr454ss]

Instead of a winch how about a set of loading steps up front mounted on your trailer so you can access the front of your boat with ease. Here is a internet site that sells them,many people here in Illinois have these to access the high front walleye boats such as my ranger 620 vs or tritons.ezeestep@yahoo.co
phone 815-252-6771 ezee step inc. Princeton,Il.

[AllenW]

Instead of a winch how about a set of loading steps up front mounted on your trailer so you can access the front of your boat with ease. Here is a internet site that sells them,many people here in Illinois have these to access the high front walleye boats such as my ranger 620 vs or tritons.ezeestep@yahoo.co
phone 815-252-6771 ezee step inc. Princeton,Il.

I've looked at them for just getting in and out of the boat, but for loading they're not going to help much, I don't power load the boat so getting the boat that far up the trailer isn't gonna normally happen.

I found a pair of waders that should fit and I think I'll try that route, the electric winch is fairly spendy for the few times I'll need it so I'll wait on that.

The big problem was getting the trailer far enough into the water to make winching the boat on easier and still have the trailers winch acessible without doing a bit of wading, wasn't gonna happen, so hopefully the waders will help.

But thanks

Al

[fish4trophy]

Cabelas has a TRAC winch for like $170 with a wireless remote. Seems like that would be a reasonable price.

[wiredog]

Don't buy the TRAC winch, it's junk!! I know i,ve got one. Wiredog

[kliph]

I'v been thinking of a power winch for a few years.
And the older I get the more I need one.

How are you wiring in the winch?
Directly to the truck battery or is there a way to wire/plug it in at the back of the truck?
I was thinking of installing a battery/box on the trailer for the winch.
Thanks.

[wiredog]

I have mine wired to the truck battery with a plug in mounted in the bumper. I also have a shutoff switch mounted in the box to kill the power to the winch. On my old rig i came back to the landing to find a Wisea$$ hooking the winch cable to the back of the trailer, he wanted to see how much power the winch had. Wiredog

[AllenW]

Not sure the standard truck wiring that's at the back of the truck would handle the amp draw?


Al

[sAMSAMSAM]

I'v been thinking of a power winch for a few years.
And the older I get the more I need one.

How are you wiring in the winch?
Directly to the truck battery or is there a way to wire/plug it in at the back of the truck?
I was thinking of installing a battery/box on the trailer for the winch.
Thanks.

I used the $58, 2000lb winch from Walmart for one season. Overall, from a motor and power perspective, it worked fine for me. I actually purchased a small $25 battery that I kept in the back of my truck to use for power. The winched hooked to the battery via alligator clips and was operated via a remote. AMP draw and power were not an issue.

I ended up taking it off because the cable that came with the unit started to fray (I was worried it might snap while loading). It would have been nice to have strap instead. Also, the manual crank handle "broke" off (By "break" I mean that the handle that came with the unit no longer fit in the bolt that came out of the side of the unit ... it essentially wore away the threads). The bottom line was that I could no longer use the manual crank. Since I manually cranked far more often than I actually used the power winch, it was too much of hassel to try to use. I would think that a properly designed marine unit, with a strong cable and good manual crank would work great for any reasonable size boat.

[kliph]

Thanks for the ideas. But i'm still thinking about it.

Maybe the easiest way is to mount a battery and box on the trailer.
It would have to be a small tractor battery and the box would have to be locked. But I have to think some more about it.:cheers: