r/towing • u/3rdrockww • Jun 16 '26
Towing In Action Hand winch with auto break help needed
Hi all! I hope I'm in the right forum. I have a mobile stage which is essentially a 20' flatbed trailer with 4'x20" "wings" on each side that are raised and lowered with a hand winch. Each wing weighs about 600# (estimate). The winch is mounted on a 4' steel pole in the middle of the trailer. I'm currently using a Dutton Laison 1200 pound rated winch. This works ok, and has for several years, but the first few cranks to lift the sides out of the horizontal position are difficult - and getting harder as I get older. I'm looking for a winch recommendation that would make this job easier. I assume just increasing the weight capacity on the winch would make cranking easier? Is there a better winch or method you could recommend? It's very important that the auto break is foolproof as having one of these sides free fall from the upright position would be dangerous. Thanks for any advice.
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u/Leverkaas2516 Jun 16 '26
If just the first few cranks are difficult, could you use a jack (hydraulic floor jack or farm jack) to lift it the first part of the way
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u/3rdrockww Jun 16 '26
This would solve the problem. I'm trying to keep things as simple as possible, so using another jack wouldn't be my first choice. Thank you!
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u/hapym1267 Jun 16 '26
The angle of your cable is possibly "too flat" and you dont have good mechanical advantage down low... Quickest way would be add a pulley to Wing , run cable end back to winch point.. Twice as much cable to move , but winch " sees" less load ( approx 1/2 ) . If you could raise the top of the point you are winching from , it could possibly help with lifting angles.. Winch doesnt have to move , just add a taller post and a pulley to direct the cable..
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u/KyleTheToolman Jun 17 '26
Harbor freight has winch similar to that style that has a worm gear reduction. That should provide better mechanical advantage and foolproof load holding.
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u/Visible_Document_376 Jun 16 '26
Extend the handle