James has summed it up quite well so you need to have a think about which of the 3 applies to you and what you want the winch to do before you decide what to buy.

I would suggest a min of 8000lb, preferably 9000 - 9.500. A 5000lb would need 3/4 snatch blocks to pull a 2 ton landy out of sticky mud. Each snatch block reduces the legth of winch cable by half so you might end up with only 20-30ft of pull and loads of tree strops, shackles and work

Electric or hydraulic depends on personal preference, your plans and your budget.

There is a lot to think about

Hi James and kevin,

£25 for a trailer winch sounds good to me.

Do you know where i can get one for that price?

If it pulls my c.c.v onto the trailer i'd be silly not to get one.

A proper powered winch for getting yourself out of trouble has to be the toy to have, though i do have ropes that i purchased from the club in the past to use while on the courses.

The whole idea of having my own winch is that i will not have to rely on other people for help when im stuck and in need. (Theres nothing worse than having to ask)
I could also offer to help others in need. (not trying to step on your toes kevin or anybody elses but whats the point of being in a club if you have the gear but don't use it to help other members).


Mike.

Exactly

Try Machine Mart for starters.

Hello Karl,

I'll be glad when i've sorted this out and set myself up with the tools needed for the hobby of off roading....

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who has come forward to help me get geared up as it were.......

This winch (below) from machine mart doesn't seem upto the job of puling my vehicle onto the trailer, surely my c.c.v weighs more than 1400lb. (or am i wrong?)
If i am please correct me. Bearing in mind my trailer is a tilt bed.

£21.98ex. VAT
£25.83inc.VAT

Ideal for moving and pulling loads, the TW1400 is particularly useful for pulling loads onto trailers or up steeper drive-ways. Fitted with a simple ratchet locking mechanism, the TW1400 is also safe to use and won't release a load even if the operator stops winching.

Machined mounting holes in winch base
1400lbs (635kgs) capacity
4.1:1 Winching ratio

BUT

This one may be more like it, what do you think?

£39.98ex. VAT
£46.98inc.VAT

Ideal for moving and pulling loads, the TW2500 is particularly useful for pulling loads onto trailers or up steeper drive-ways. Fitted with a simple ratchet locking mechanism, the TW2500 is also safe to use and won't release a load even if the operator stops winching. In addition, this 2-speed winch is fitted with a safety brake for improved safety.

Machined mounting holes in winch base
2500lbs (1134kgs) capacity
5.1:1 Winching ratio

There is a machine mart in ilford so i could pop down and pick one up once decided on the model.

Next in line to sort out is a mounting on the trailer itself, for that i will need a decent welder (as in person to do the job)...lol.

Mike.

The larger one would be more suitable, however you might be able to pick a second hand one up for a more reasonable amount of money. I don't think the one on Machine Mart comes with a cable & hook.

I would highly recommend that you use a steel cable rather than a seat belt type strap - these only work well when the pull is in a dead straight line, which is often not the case.

James

Hi James,

No your right i won't use anything but steel cable on a winch.

If i can purchase the same hand winch cheeper i will.

Mike.

Mike. Another removeable winch plate option i came across:

http://www.winchsolutions.co.uk/index.asp?...6-2418530D2ECD}