Which winch ?

[Eric Johnson]

I'd like to get a small winch to be able to load my GT into my enclosed trailer by myself. I found one that looks pretty good. It's portable or can be fastened to the trailer permanently. 12 volt. Wired remote. Question: What is the difference between a "1 way " or a "2 way" winch ? Any advantages of a 2 way? The 1 way looks pretty good 180.00 USD from JC Whitney. The 2 way is a hundred more.

Thanks!

[Eric Johnson]

Here is the item : ONE-WAY PORTABLE 12-VOLT ELECTRIC WINCHES - JCWhitney Auto Parts

[Dimi]

Hi Eric

A one way winch uses power to pull in only and free wheels to let the cable out which means you cannot control the car when you are letting it out of the trailer.

A two way winch uses power to pull in and also can be reversed to power out so that in the event the trailer is on a slope you can use gravity to roll the car out with the winch controlling the rate.

A feature I would think is mandatory for the use you are intending.

Some times the extra cost is warranted.

Remember you will be controlling the car going into the trailer but how are you going to disconnect the cable from the car and control the car coming out especially if you cannot get into the car to use the brakes.

Dimi

[Eric Johnson]

Dimi,

Thanks for the information about the winch. The 2 way will be the way to go. Being that I'll have to tilt the trailer up to decrease the chance of contact with the nose when going in or out, it appears that it would absolutely be necessary
to power crank out as well as the 2 way feature affords.

Here is the 2 way model for anyone interested : TWO-WAY PORTABLE 12-VOLT ELECTRIC WINCH - JCWhitney RV & Camper Parts

Thanks again !

[Tim Kay]

Eric,

Make or buy some ramp extensions to set the door on. I made approx 4ft extensions and they don't take up alot of room. Quite a hassle to lift the nose of the trailer each time to load and unload plus nessasary tongue weight to offset the car as it enters\exits.

Also, I mounted a simple hand winch (as used on boat trailers) on a small aluminum frame that when needed simply tie straps to floor with existing tie down loops. Easy to store as well. $40 usd

[Eric Johnson]

Tim,

Thanks. For you and others: What is the best method to get the car in ? I take it the best way would be back of the car in first. (I currently have no good attachment point for the front). Being rear engined ,would this put too much weight on the tongue ?

The trailer is 20ft x 8.5 ft 2500lb empty 7000 lb gross 700lb max tongue.

[Jeff Hamilton]

I found a winch on sale about 2 weeks ago at Harbor Freight. The sale price was $69.95 and it has a wireless remote control that is the same size as a key fob. This makes nice to turn the wheel if need be as you winch the car. it is power in and power out also.
Jeff Hamilton

[Eric Johnson]

Jeff,

I see that one at Harbor Freight is currently available for 72.00 . It's rated at 3000lb max, so I think it should be strong enough for my car. I think I may go with that one as well. I like the wireless remote feature also...

Cheers!

[Pete.]

As your trailer is enclosed you will also need tracks to ensure your car goes on straight. Or a strategically placed door on the trailer so someone steering can get out.

[Eric Johnson]

Pete,

I think if I slowly winch it in backwards first using the remote while steering, up to the point where I have to open the door and get out, I should have it lined up well enough to winch it all the way back. At least that's what I'm hoping!

My trailer does not have a access door in the middle. Not many do.

What do the rest of you do?

[Jeff Hamilton]

I stand on the outside and steer it.
Jeff Hamilton

[Eric Johnson]

Jeff,

Thanks. Makes a lot of sense to do it that way . My first trailering trip will be this September to Watkins Glen for the vintage fall festival weekend. I'm looking forward to it.


Thanks again

[Bill Musarra]

Unless you have a trailer that has a low angle to load from, ANY 3000lb. winch will not do the job. These winches are rated pulls on a level surface. If you read the ads precisely they are for SUVs, ATVs, and lawn tractors. I had one of these and they don't work on SUVs unless the angle of attack is nearly straight on. Tried to load my son's Pathfinder(blown engine) onto a trailer that used the steel ramps that tuck under the trailer. Angle of about 20 degrees or so. Couldn't get it on the trailer without using the tongue jack to decrease the angle and pushing from the rear. You are better getting on Harbour Freight's mailing list. They send new deals and internet deals about once every two weeks. You will get tired of getting them. Every now and then a good deal will come out. I got this winch:
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices
when it was on sale for $199. They also have Saturday sidewalk sales on the first Sat. of the month. I have used this one to load and unload my 40 at least 10 times since I got it. It pulls with no hesitation up my incline without the first bit of trouble. You don't want the minimum size. If you have to pull the car up onto the trailer following an off or messed up suspension, you will need the power to drag it up on to the trailer.
You will find the 40 is light enough to turn the front wheels by hand for any minor adjustments in positioning it. I don't have anyone to help me get it onto or off the trailer, and that is how I do it.
Be sure the winch has a free wheeling or clutch release function. It allows you to unwind the winch faster, and saves the motor.

Bill

[Eric Johnson]

Bill,

Thanks. What you are saying makes a lot of sense. I will get a stronger winch that will also enable me to get a heavier car in the trailer as well.

Question : Do you pull your GT40 in back first ?


Thanks again to all for your help!

[Tim Kay]

back first

[Ian Anderson]

Back or front on first all depends on your trailer.

The tow ball is designed to be at a certain weight on the tow vehicle and by putting the car in front ot backwards you can adjust this weight.

Likewise if you are also moving tyres etc where you place the racks will make a huge difference to the trailer nose load.

The biggest "no no" is to have a trailer that will lift the front when disconnected (too much rear weight)

By getting the weight distribution correct the trailer will also tow more easily and be less likely to sway.

Trial and error and a set of bathroom scales under the jockey wheel once and then marks made on the trailer for the future is what I suggest

Ian

[Dutton]

Eric,

Ian's comments are right on the money. Weight distribution is key to the use of your trailer to carry your 40... backwards or forwards makes no difference, but the amount of weight on the tongue IS a big deal.

If I remember right, ten percent of the total trailer weight should be on the tongue. You would probably be fine with a little less, but not much.

It wouldn't be a bad idea to confirm the coverage of your insurance policy as well.

Best,

T.

[Bill Musarra]

I think what all are trying to say is, it depends on how your trailer is loaded.To put a 40 on front end first, would require one of two things. Either you have additional heavy items to carry on the trailer, such as a tire rack or big tool box. It has to offset the weight of the back of the car where the most weight is. An empty rack would not add any appreciable weight to the front tongue. the second way is to have the trailer long enough so that the centerline of the car is on the front part of the trailer. Weighing the tongue is a wise idea. Hope you have a scale that goes high enough. A trailer not loaded right can cause some violent swaying, particularly coasting or braking down hill, At speed that could cost you your car, trailer, and tow vehicle not to mention yourself.

Bill

[Ian Anderson]

Best trailer I ever towed was a boat set up.

Without the boat on it had a 50 pound weight on the hitch - measured with bathroom scales under the jockey wheey

With boat loaded this went up to about 60 pounds basically the trailer was correctly made for the product and stayed balanced.

I have also seen people tow a saloon car trailer behind a BMW and the hitch weight must have been over 300 pounds as the BMW suspension was totally compressed - strange but he kept complaining about the handling.

At the next race meeting a few of us loaded his car for him - on backwards (front engine car) and positioned it to balance correctly - he then realised the error of his ways.

So once again I suggest you find the suggested hitch / tongue / ball weight as per the design of the trailer from the manufacturer.

Check that the empty trailer weight is at or close to their suggested value.

Then load the car and whatever else you are loading into it. and check the weight again adjust positioning till you get at or near the suggested weight and mark the trailer for ease of future loading. Adjust all your hold down straps etc and leave them set ready for each use (I would probably now have a separate set for use with other cars now as they have come down in price a load recently)

Ian

Ian

[Eric Johnson]

Ian,Bill,


Thanks for the tips. I plan on loading it this weekend and will see how it goes. I'll use a 300lb bathroom scale as I woldn't want any more weight than than that on the tongue for sure.

Should be a lot of fun....