How To Mount an Electric Winch to a Trailer

An electric winch gives mechanical advantage to a trailer, particularly helpful when loading and unloading heavy boats or ATVs. The benefits of an electric winch are not having to hand-crank the winch, and having better speed and control over the loading and unloading processes. Installing an electric winch to a utility trailer is no different than installing a hand crank, with the exception that you must make sure the winch is connected to a DC battery for use.

Things You'll Need

  • Winch mounting plate
  • Winch
  • Socket and ratchet
  • Measuring tape
  • Adjustable wrench or pliers
  • Deep cycle battery (DC) and housing
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set the winch mount plate onto the trailer arm and push it toward the bed of the trailer until all of the metal is over the tow-arms. Continue to push it forward, slowly, until the mounting screw holes align with the holes in the trailer arm.

    • 2

      Push the mounting plate bolts through the holes and hand tighten the nuts to the bottom of the bolt. Place the socket at the bolt heads and the pliers or wrench on the bolt nut under the arm, and use opposing force to tighten them as firmly as possible.

    • 3

      Place the winch onto the mounting plate so the spool action and cable are facing the back of the trailer. Insert the winch bolts into the mounting plate, so the bolts are exposed on the outside of the trailer tow-arm. Place the nuts under the bolts, and with the pliers and socket-ratchet, use opposing force to tighten them as firmly as possible.

    • 4

      Secure the DC battery housing to the side of the trailer at the rear end, and near the winch. Most housings have a series of holes in the bottom. Screw in retaining bolts to the trailer base through these holes, to secure it to the trailer. Insert the DC battery into the housing.

    • 5

      Wire the DC battery with the winch, the red cable to the red terminal, and the black to black. Turn the winch on to test the battery and connection. Some winches have white ground wires with a loop at the end. If the winch has this, attach it to the black terminal.