mjdcolo

Anyone use this mount on a Trailex to mount a 3500# winch from Harbor Freight?

https://www.trailex.com/products/pc/...nch-45p226.htm

Thanks, Matt

nineball

no experience with that but the hf bottom end winch was a complete waste of money for me. it says rated at 3.500lbs but it struggled to pull my 3,018lbs car on to a trailer from the start and failed withing a few months and maybe 3-5 uses. it was the same thing as the trailer dolly they sell - said it was rated for a 600lb tongue weight and my empty aluminum trailer, which weighs 1,140lb, buckled it without a second thought. i promptly returned it.

good luck.

Mussl Kar

The winch MUST be centered on your Porsche tow hook eye location left of center facing the car. This gives you a good chance of cable winding on the drum left and right. Winch location centered on trailer and tow hook eye not close to center? Bad things will happen. Cable can bunch on one side of drum and jam. Or cable saws through fairlead as well. Not a problem when I had an open aluminum trailer, I haz mad skilz welding aluminum if I need to. And I did.

Mussl Kar

BTW, I have a 2400 lb Warn winch in my enclosed trailer. Using it since 2008? 30 times in and out per season? Maybe more? And still pulling. Now that I posted this it prob will quit tomorrow.

myevodream

Holy smokes Kermit! I remember auto-x'ing with you back in like 2007/2008 in Ayer with my white evo 9 lol. Glad you're still rocking it!

Glyndellis

I have a 4500lb HF winch with synthetic rope, and it works well on my Trailex 8045. I offset the winch about 3", using the Trailex winch mount with a piece of 3/8" aluminum plate and a HF Step Bumper Receiver. The winch is mounted on a winch mount (Extreme Max 5600.3084 Universal... ) and I used a HF Apache case to hold the electric parts. Battery is in the battery box strapped down in front of the winch.

Steve Dawson

Yes, I use the standard Trailex mount with a small winch (Northern Freight, I think). I bolted a piece of 1/4" aluminum plate to the winch and drilled holes in it to match the Trailex mount. I keep the winch in my tool box and attach it to the mount with some hitch pins when needed. Power is from a small battery with high amp quick connects. I rarely use the winch, but have it for those unfortunate times I can't drive onto the trailer. The winch is small, but adequate to roll the car up a ramp.

The comment about an offset tow hook is correct - the winch line will bunch up on one end of the drum. I use a block (pulley) on a short chain attached to the tire rack to keep the line running straight from the winch, then angling from the block to the tow hook. It is still necessary to help the line wind smoothly.

Also, the stock steel cable that comes with the winch is miserable to work with. Buy a synthetic line to replace it.

mjdcolo

Good to know. Thanks!

mjdcolo

Damn! That’s one hell of a setup. Thanks for sharing! I don’t have the front covers, so I will probably mount mine a little forward.

Glyndellis

Thanks. The winch works great and this allows me to remove the winch and battery quickly for storage.
I had a 2500lb winch initially that worked well but was clearly straining. I'd bought the HF extended warranty and was able to get full credit against the new winch after 2 years of use.
When I bought mine, they offered a long drum and short drum. I bought the long drum and shortened the rope by about 20 feet.
A "benefit" of the hitch mounting is that I can also mount it in my truck receiver if needed.

dan212

My Trailex - bought used, came with the Trailex mount and a Superwinch Winches 1440200 - Rated at 4,000 pounds. Same as on my old steel trailer (saw 12 years of use). More than enough power to easily pull the car on board.

I have the wireless remote. The battery died. Haven't gotten around to replacing the battery, but with the side door, loading with the wired remote is so easy anyway.

The side door on the Trailex is critical because the fit can be a bit tight.

Mussl Kar

Mike C? All track since 2021.