How to Use a Winch to Unload a Trailer

Trailer winches provide mechanical advantage with heavy loads.

A trailer winch is either a manual, hand-crank style or a motor driven rig. These devices use a series of internal bushings and gears to provide mechanical advantage for hauling or unloading large and heavy objects. When used properly, a winch helps prevent damage, spills or injuries when handling these items. Whether you use the hand-crank or motor driven style, the process is the same for unloading heavy gear from a trailer.

Things You'll Need

• Ratchet straps (optional)

Instructions

1. Pull the winch cable out from the spool until the hook at the end of the cable reaches the front of the object on the trailer. Most trailer winches are attached near the trailer tow arm to help pull boats, ATVs and heavy gear onto the trailer, or help unload.

2. Clip the hook to the front of the boat, ATV or cargo. Boats, ATVs and vehicles have tow hooks at the front that the winch hook connects to. For cargo, wrap a ratchet strap around the sides of the boxes and bring the strap's connections to the front of the assembled cargo. Tighten the strap to make the boxes one solid unit. Clip the hook to the center of the strap.

3. Set the winch to "reverse". If using a hand-crank style, pull the handle out and flip the metal lever lock open so the bushings will move. For motor drive winches, grab the control box and prepare to hit the "R" button.

4. Back the trailer up to the launch or area where the heavy item is to be unloaded. If the trailer tilts, tilt it so the heavy item will begin to slide down the trailer ramp.

5. Control the speed of the slide using the winch and cable. Regulate the unloading by letting out cable slowly -- either by turning the hand-crank counter-clockwise, or by pressing the R button on the motor drive control box.

References

• Offroaders: Boat Marine Trailer Winch Tips
• West Marine: The West Advisor: Trailer Winches