How to connect a winch to a trailer (our 2 methods)
Content
In this article, I will talk in detail about connecting a winch to a trailer.
Learning how to hook up a winch to a trailer is essential to be able to easily move any goods you may have and avoid the dangerous pitfalls of doing it wrong. By learning how to do this, you can quickly set up the winch without worrying about it breaking off halfway through.
Unfortunately, most people don't take the time to learn how to do it right, resulting in winches breaking and causing damage to property and those riding behind.
In general, the process of connecting a winch to a trailer is simple. First, put on your protective gear (insulating gloves). Then, to connect the winch to the car battery, install the quick connector at the rear of the car. Then connect the quick connector to the car battery under the car hood, and finally connect the winch to the car battery with the red and black cables. You can also connect the winch to a battery. Start by properly installing the battery and connecting the power and ground wires. Then run the hot power and ground cables to the trailer-mounted battery. Finally, connect the hot and black cables to the positive and negative pins of the winch, respectively.
The process involves working with various tools and electrical wires that can harm you. Therefore, always wear full protective gear, which includes wearing insulating gloves and working cleanly.
There are two ways to connect the winch and the battery.
Method 1: car battery as winch power source
In this technique, the vehicle's battery is connected directly to the winch.
Rear position (on car)
Procedure:
Step 1
Install the quick connector at the rear of the vehicle. The quick coupler helps you quickly connect or disconnect the cables that connect the vehicle to the trailer winch.
Step 2
Install the negative cables - they are usually black. Connect it from the quick connector to a clean metal frame or vehicle surface.
Step 3
Next, we thread the wires to the quick connector to the car battery. Do not run wires to any surface that may heat them.
Wiring under the hood
Proceed as follows:
Step 1
Connect the positive cable (usually red) to the positive battery post.
Step 2
Take another negative lead with lugs at both ends and use it to ground the battery to a neat metal surface on your car's frame.
Wiring on the winch
Step 1
Connect the hot cable to the positive terminal of the winch.
Step 2
Connect the black wire (negative wire) to the winch negative terminal.
Step 3
Then run the opposite ends of the two cables (the ends with the quick connector) to the trailer hitch for use.
To electrify/power the winch, attach the vehicle's quick coupler to the trailer's quick coupler.
Method 2: the winch comes with a power supply
If you use the winch all the time, it is recommended that you avoid draining your car battery quickly by connecting it to a 12-volt car battery. So, this is the best way to connect your winch, it must have its own power supply.
Step 1
Find a good place to install the battery to power the winch. Cover the battery and winch to prevent contact with other parts of the vehicle.
Step 2
Connect the power and ground wires to the correct posts on the winch.
Step 3
Connect the hot power and ground cables to the trailer-mounted battery.
Step 4
Connect the hot cable to the positive pin on the winch and the black connector to the correct pin on the winch.
Winch recommendations
If you need a winch kit, I recommend the Lewis winch. Why Lewis winch? The winch is reliable and I can personally attest to that. In addition, it is reliable and cheap. So rest assured that your Lewis winch will last longer and perform optimally no matter how often it is used. Check the following list of options:
- Lewis winch - 400 MK2
- 5" jerk block - 4.5 tons
- Tree protection belt
- Trailer Mount - Lockable
Security
As mentioned above, security measures are mandatory in this exercise. Without protective gear and other precautions, you could injure yourself and jeopardize the entire experiment. Read the following detailed tips and be fully equipped to be safe.
Continue with caution
You should always be aware that you are dealing with dangerous objects and wires in order to be psychologically prepared for the task. Winches can lift or pull heavy objects; you weigh only a few kilos. Be carefull.
To work in a Neat environment
Get rid of things that can confuse you. Remove dirt particles that may interfere with clear vision when hitching a winch to a trailer.
Don't take off your gloves
Winch cables often contain fragments on their surface. The shards may fall into the hand. But gloves can protect against splinters and have them in the process.
Gloves should be made of insulating fabric to protect you from electric shock as you will be working with electrical wires.
Proper clothing
Wear a comfortable mechanical apron when soldering. Do not wear watches, jewelry, or any other item or clothing that could get caught in the moving parts of the winch. (1)
Take a look at some of our articles below.
- How to plug electrical wires
- How to run wire through walls horizontally
- Is it possible to connect the red and black wires together
Recommendations
(1) watches – https://www.gq.com/story/best-watch-brands
(2) jewelry - https://www.vogue.com/article/jewelry-essentials-fine-online
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