Buying a trailer winch is like buying a motor vehicle. There’s just so many options to choose from and each has their own pros and cons. To make things a bit easier on you, I have compiled a list of the best boat trailer winches available on the market.
If you think you need a winch for your fishing boat, or even if you want to pull your boat out of the water for the storage season, a boat winch should definitely be on your top gear list. First, you will need to understand the differences between them so that you can buy the best one for your needs. Read on and let's see what your options are.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Fulton F2 Two-Speed Trailer Winch | Best Overall |  |
| 600lbs Capacity Heavy Duty Hand Winch | Budget Pick |  |
| Goldenrod Electric Trailer Winch 3000LBS | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Fulton F2 Two-Speed Trailer Winch
Pros:
- Corrosion-resistant
- Fairly easy installation
- Adjustable handle
Cons:
- Smaller size than other similar options
This Fulton F2 Two-Speed Trailer Winch can bear up to 3200 lbs. It is made of corrosion-resistant aluminum and features a soft-grip, adjustable handle. Previous buyers found it to be reliable and durable, which is ideal for a boat winch.
2. Camco 50000 Winch
Pros:
- Great for towing
- Very affordable
- Easy to use
- 20-foot strap included
- Works on uneven surfaces
- Available in two capacities (1200 lbs. or 2000 lbs.)
Cons:
- Handle and mounting hardware not included
This durable and reliable winch comes with a 20-foot strap. It can handle up to 2,000 lbs. load, and you can be sure that is going to take care of business. It’s pretty easy to use, considering that there are very few maintenance requirements. All you’ll have to do is clean the winch, and everything else will just work.
3. 600lbs Capacity Heavy Duty Hand Winch
Pros:
- Great for moving things around
- Low price
- Lightweight and durable
- 33-foot cable included
Cons:
- The assembly instructions are poor
- Load capacity is 600 pounds, which could be too small for some projects
You don’t need to spend a fortune to get an effective boat trailer winch. This one features a low-cost design that gets the job done without having to break your wallet. It can move almost anything, as long as the load doesn't overcome 600 lbs.
4. Shoreline Marine Trailer Winch 1200Lb
Pros:
- Excellent pulling power (1200 lbs)
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- Great customer service
- Corrosion-resistant
Cons:
- Spring might not be very resistant
This shoreline marine winch is the perfect trailer winch for anyone out there that just needs a versatile, lightweight, and smooth working winch that is easy to use. If you’ve ever installed a winch before, you’ll know that it’s not the easiest thing to install on your own. This winch was made with the average consumer in mind, and it is fairly easy to set it up yourself. This winch also has an incredible amount of pulling power which goes up to 1200 lbs.
5. Megaflint Trailer Winch – Reversible Electric Winch
Pros:
- 12-volt durable construction
- Has a higher winching power of 30% than regular winches
- Ergonomic design
- Has a long cable of 1650mm
- Galvanized steel cable
- Low noise design
- Customer service very helpful
Cons:
- Pricey
When it comes to towing, nothing beats the Megaflint trailer winch. Apart from having a 12-volt durable construction, this Megaflint winch also has a higher winching power of 30% than regular winches. Not to mention that it also has an ergonomic design.
6. Goldenrod Electric Trailer Winch 3000LBS
Pros:
- Can pull boats up to 9000 lbs.
- 12-volt battery-powered
- Pulls and releases slowly, under control
Cons:
- Installation process might be a challenge
- Expensive
If you’re looking for a quality product that’s going to last, then the Goldenrod Electric Trailer Winch might be your best bet. This winch uses a pressure/torsion mechanism that will ensure your winching operation is smooth and controlled. It has a maximum load of 9000 lbs.
7. Bravex Electric Winch
Pros:
- Probably the best affordable winch for your boat trailer
- Won’t break the bank
- Great for all sorts of boats
- Can be used in many different applications
- Comes with a power-in and power-out winch
- Dual operation model (electric & manual)
Cons:
- Slow pull speed
Having a reliable winch is very important when you need to lift heavy boats, and the Bravex Winch fits the bill. This portable winch boasts a compact, lightweight design that you’ll easily love. It is also heavy-duty, so it can lift up to 5000 lbs., which is impressive for such a small winch.
8. Reese Towpower Trailer Winch
Pros:
- Pulls your boat with ease
- Good for all kinds of jobs
- Weather resistant
- Gets the job done
- Very easy to use
- Affordable price tag
Cons:
- Does not handle a boat trailer with a lot of total weight (max. 1500 lbs.)
- It’s a basic model
The Reese Towpower Trailer Winch is a good choice when you need a winch to pull a lightweight trailer out of mud or sand. It’s not the best solution for a trailer on a steep incline, but it is great for fishing, ATV loading, and many other inventive uses.
9. Trailer Winch 2000LB Dual Drive Winch
Pros:
- Lightweight & portable
- Quite easy to install/set up
- Works on a variety of trailers
- The strap is sturdy and high-quality
- Well-built and solid
- Versatile design
Cons:
- Not a wire cable
Constructed from high-quality material, the Trailer Winch 2000 is the perfect winch to get if you are planning to install it on a boat trailer. It incorporates a dual-drive system that is complemented with a heavy-duty nylon strap. The winch can handle up to 2000 lbs. This will allow you to use it to haul heavy boats and other equipment with relative ease.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best boat trailer winch?
The best boat trailer winch is the Fulton F2 Two-Speed Trailer Winch. However, if you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, the 600lbs Capacity Heavy Duty Hand Winch might be the solution. A more expensive but completely worth it option is the Goldenrod Electric Trailer Winch 300lbs.
How do you size a boat trailer winch?
A winch pulls a boat out of the water, onto the shore, or a trailer. For the electric ones, push a button, and the winch is at your command. It is not that difficult to understand why boat-trailer winches are so popular with boat owners.
It's important to understand that choosing the appropriate winch is not as simple as deciding that maximum pulling power it's what matters. This type of choice leads to an over-engineered winch that may be difficult to handle.
You should consider the context where you plan to use it, the weight of your boat, as well as any loads that will be in it when the winch needs to pull it out.
What is the best electric boat winch?
The best electric winch you can purchase is the Goldenrod Electric Trailer Winch 3000 lbs. It is powered by a 12-volt battery, and it guarantees a smooth and controlled winching operation. Its maximum load is 9000 lbs, making it a heavy-duty winch.
Where are Fulton winches made?
From the information we were able to gather it appears like they are made in Mexico. However, this might not apply to all their products or could also change at any time.
Conclusion
If you’re in the market for a brand new boat winch, you’re in for a difficult and time-consuming task. There are lots of options out there, and it can be challenging to choose between them since there is a lot to consider.
But if you want to do it quickly, the thing to do is to know exactly what you’re looking for in your winch before you venture out to shop. Then simply choose from among the available options listed here, as they are the best on the market.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Fulton F2 Two-Speed Trailer Winch | Best Overall | |
| 600lbs Capacity Heavy Duty Hand Winch | Budget Pick | |
| Goldenrod Electric Trailer Winch 3000LBS | Upgrade Pick | |