Winch & Accessories

Meaning of Trailer Winch

Trailer winches are securement devices that let you use winch straps. Winch straps are a method of securing cargo on your flatbed truck using tension.

Winches let you utilize a crank or winch bar to pull the strap tighter than you could tighten a ratchet, cultivating greater tension. This makes winches and winch straps a better choice than ratchet straps for heavy-duty loads. Winch straps are also more affordable than ratchet straps.

Trailer winches themselves are mounted on the sides of a flatbed trailer.

Types of Trailer Winch

To figure out what type of winch is right for you, ask yourself a few questions.

1. Based on Size of Winch Strap

If you want to figure out what size trailer winch you need, think about how large a winch strap roll will have to be to cover your load. A larger winch strap roll can bind a larger load, while a smaller roll weighs less and takes up less space when stored.

• Low: Low winches are designed to handle smaller rolls, 30’ in length or shorter. They can fit in spaces that are partially taken up by tool boxes, wheels, or other equipment. Typically, low winches aren’t designed to store winch straps when they’re not in use.
• Standard: Standard winches are designed to handle 30’ winch straps, and can store a winch strap roll of that size when it’s not in use.
• Deep: Deep winches can handle the largest winch strap rolls, accommodating straps up 40’-50’ long. They can store winch straps when they’re not in use.

2. Based on Flatbed Trailer Tracks

The sides of a flatbed trailer might be equipped with different types of tracks. Make sure the winch you choose is compatible with the track on your truck.

• C – Track: Standard C-tracks are made of aluminum or steel. C-tracks are compatible with most standard slider winches.
• Double: L Track - These Double – L tracks are typically of aluminum. They’re compatible with Double-L slider winches.
• Specialty Tracks: Some companies, including Wilson, Utility, and East, have their own specialty tracks. At Mytee, we offer winches compatible with a variety of specialty tracks.
• Stake Pocket: Your flatbed trailer has stake pockets, which are metal brackets, bolted onto sides of the trailer every two feet. These pockets can be used to hold portable winches, sometimes called pocket winches or offset trailer winches. This is a convenient alternative if you don’t want to install tracks on your trailer.

3. Based on Installation

Some winches are permanently anchored once placed, while others can be easily removed or shifted if need be.

Regardless of the type of installation, all winches are held firmly in place while they’re being used to secure cargo, due to the incredible tension in the strap around the load. Consider these four types of winches.

• Weld-on Winches: These winches are welded on under the mount and cannot be removed after they’re replaced. You can use weld-on winches even if your flatbed trailer doesn’t have a track installed.
• Bolt-on Winches: Bolt-on winches are not permanently anchored. They can be installed under the rail and can be used with or without a track.
• Slide-on Winches: Slide-on winches are not permanently anchored. To use a slide-on winch, make sure you have a compatible track on your trailer.
• Portable Winches: These winches are not permanently anchored. Portable truck winches are pocket winches, designed to easily fit into stake pockets.

4. Other

All types of winches have a zinc coating option. Zinc coating protects the winch from inevitable exposure to water and other elements, protecting the winch from rusting over time so it lasts longer.

Affordable and High Quality Trailer Winches

Our trailer winches are the most affordable on the market. At Mytee, we offer winches in every variety, and each winch is made from high-quality materials and supports a high working load limit.