When you’re towing a car, boat, or heavy stuff, picking the right electric winch for your trailer is super important. It keeps things safe and makes the job smooth. A weak winch might break down, and a too-strong one just costs extra money for nothing.

At Go Trailer, we get how crucial it is to match your winch to what you’re hauling. This guide walks you through figuring out the best winch size based on your trailer and cargo weight. It helps you make a smart choice for towing.

Why the Right Electric Winch Makes a Difference

An electric winch is a powerful gadget that pulls heavy loads onto your trailer with little effort. Unlike old-school hand winches, electric ones are quick, easy, and save your energy. They’re perfect for regular or tough jobs. But picking the wrong size can cause trouble:

• Safety Problems: A too-small winch might fail when pulling heavy stuff, causing accidents or damage.
• Worn-Out Equipment: Pushing a winch too hard can break it faster and cost you for repairs.
• Extra Costs: A winch that’s too big wastes money without giving you more help.

By learning how to pick the right winch size, you can tow safely, easily, and reliably.

Things to Think About for Winch Size

To choose the best electric winch, you need to think about a few things that affect how much power it needs. These include the trailer’s total weight, the ground you’re on, any hills, and whether the load rolls or stays still. Let’s dive into these to find the perfect winch size.

Total Trailer Weight (GVWR)

The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the full weight of your trailer, cargo, people, fuel, and any extra gear. You can find this number in your vehicle’s manual or on the driver’s side door. For example, if you’re towing a car with a 4,000-lb GVWR, that’s where you start.

Rolling or Still Loads

Loads can either roll or stay still:

• Rolling Loads: Stuff with wheels, like cars or boats on trailers, needs less pulling power because they move easily.
• Still Loads: Things that don’t roll, like stuck trucks or heavy machines, need a lot more power to move.

For rolling loads, get a winch with at least 1.5 times the GVWR. For still loads, you might need a winch as strong as or stronger than the total weight.

Ground and Hills

The ground you’re towing on and any slopes change how much power your winch needs:

• Smooth Ground: Flat roads like pavement are easy to pull on.
• Rough Ground: Mud, gravel, or sand makes pulling harder, so you need a stronger winch.
• Hills: Steep slopes make towing tougher. On a 10% hill (1 foot up for every 10 feet forward), a winch pulls about five times its normal power for rolling loads.

For tricky ground or hills, add 20-30% extra power to your winch to be safe.

Rope Layers on the Winch Drum

A winch works best with the first layer of rope on its drum. Each extra layer cuts the power by about 10-25%. For example, a 9,000 lbs electric winch gets weaker if too many rope layers pile up. To keep it strong, pick a winch with enough rope but not too much wrapping.

How to Pick the Right Electric Winch Size

Figuring out the best winch size is easy with a few steps. This keeps towing safe and works well. Here’s what to do:

1. Check the GVWR: Look in your vehicle’s manual or on the door for the total weight of the trailer, cargo, and gear.
2. Times It by 1.5 for Rolling Loads: For stuff that rolls, multiply the GVWR by 1.5 to find the smallest winch size. For example, a 4,000-lb GVWR needs at least a 6,000-lb winch, like the 6,000 lbs electric winch.
3. Add More Power: For rough ground or steep hills, add 20-30% extra strength for safety. So, a 4,000-lb GVWR might need a 9,000 lbs electric winchfor tough jobs.
4. Handle Still Loads: For loads that don’t roll, choose a winch as strong as or stronger than the total weight. For big jobs, a 12,000 lbs electric winchmight be best.

Here’s a table to match vehicle weights to winch sizes:

Using a Snatch Block for Extra Strength

If you’re pulling something heavy or up a steep hill, a snatch block can make your electric winch twice as strong by looping the rope. For example, a 4,500 lbs electric winch with a snatch block can pull up to 9,000 lbs, but it moves slower. This is a cheap way to handle big loads without buying a bigger winch.

Go Trailer: Your Place for Trailer Parts and Winches

At Go Trailer, we make awesome trailer couplers, parts, and electric winches for both casual and serious haulers. As a top maker, we have winches from the tiny 2,000 lbs electric winch for small jobs to the mighty 12,000 lbs electric winch for big tasks. Our stuff is tough, reliable, and easy to use, so you can tow without worry. Check out our full set of electric winches to find the one that fits your trailer.

FAQs About Electric Winches

Q1: What’s different about rolling and still loads for a winch?
A: Rolling loads, like cars or ATVs, have wheels and need less power to pull because they move easily. Still loads, like stuck trucks or heavy gear, need more power, often as much as or more than their weight.

Q2: Why choose an electric winch over a hand winch?
A: Electric winches are quicker and take less effort. They’re great for frequent or heavy jobs. Plus, they often have remote controls, which make them safer to use.

Q3: How does the ground change the winch size I need?
A: Rough ground, like mud or gravel, makes pulling harder, so you need a stronger winch. Steep hills also need more power. Adding 20-30% extra strength helps in tough spots.

Choose the Best Winch for Your Towing

Picking the right electric winch is about keeping things safe, easy, and affordable. By figuring out the winch size based on your trailer’s weight, the ground, and the load type, you can get one that works without costing too much. Whether you’re hauling a small ATV or a big truck, Go Trailer has electric winches for every job, from the 3,500 lbs model for light loads to the 12,000 lbs model for heavy ones. Visit our winch page today to find the perfect winch and make towing simple and safe.