Towball mounted winch.

[ianrmaciver]

I have just bought a CC19, and will be using a BMW 3 series (tow rate 1800lbs) as the tow vehicle.
I'm interested in anyone's experience of using a towball mounted winch.
What manufacturer/size , and other general advice.
Ian

[Dennis]

Hello Ian

Have you seen this? : http://www.towsure.com/product/12_Volt_Electric_Winch_5000kg_double_line_pull

Or better still, This: http://www.watling-towbars.co.uk/4x4_winches.html

I used to winch a caravan up a steep drive using a simple manual winch bolted to the side of my house. Similar problem!

[erbster]

The cables seem quite short. How are these winches best used, if you can only move the load 10m at a time?

[ianrmaciver]

They look pretty hefty Dennis, perhaps more suited to a 4 by 4.
I had been looking at http://www.bak-rak.com/winch-rak.htm .
Rated at 500kg , again with a 10 metre cable.
I'm thinking occasional use, 1 or 2 times a season. For really steep ramps I'm thinking crane out, or look for a friendly 4 by 4 .
Ian

[Dennis]

Hello Ian

There seems to be plenty of choice on winch types.

It is just a case of finding the best compromise to suit your needs.

I think David Hudson used to use a winch, he is on the forum occasionally, you could try contacting him.

[ianrmaciver]

Thanks Dennis.
Ian

[cc19uk]

Hi Ian,

I use a towball-mounted winch to launch and retrieve. It works well. There are various types/specs available (mine is a Champion C3500-A) which has about 12m of cable. C3500 is probably the least powerful spec I'd recommend.
The cable has proved long enough to sufficiently submerge the trailer, whilst keeping the vehicle wheels dry on the slipway. I added a towing-eye to the trailer to attach the winch cable.

A couple of items to recommend (in case you weren't already aware):
- chock the rear wheels of your towing vehicle
- add a safety strap temporarily between trailer and car when detaching trailer to attach/remove the towbar winch (mainly necessary on wet/slippery slipways), as the trailer handbrake won't always hold the boat (the locked wheels may still slip)
- keep the car engine running when operating the winch
- when under load avoid fully deploying the cable - always keep a few coils of cable on the spool

Hope this helps.
Brendan

[ianrmaciver]

Thanks Brendan,
Exactly the sort of advice I was looking for. To connect the winch to the battery , were cables supplied or could you just use "jump leads" or similar.
Ian

[cc19uk]

Hi Ian,

I think I had to purchase cables separately. They were a pain to install actually, as I've run mine within one of the chassis channels under the car. I bought a plastic plug/connector too which lives next to the tow bar. (the winch power cables were soldered to the other end of the connector). You do need to use fairly hefty cables, so something the diameter of jump leads at least.
The winch itself doesn't come with the towballl mount, you can get one for about £40 from somewhere like firstfouroffroad.co.uk.

[Black Sheep]

Hi Brendan, and other towing specialists,
How/what specific eye did you mount on your trailer to attach the cable?
Perhaps a picure would help me in addition.
Many thanks for your help!
All the best,
Michel
Black Sheep