So we're adding a winch to our trailer to pull the DSM up the loading ramp. Some of the stronger winches are much larger, and frankly, seem like overkill. We found one that is rated at 4500lbs, and has all of the features, such as remote control, that we wanted.

Does anyone have experience with trailer winches that can comment, and give us advice?

You will be border line, winches are rated on a straight pull, which will not be your case, it will depend a lot on trailer height, ramp angle and attachment point on the car.
Dont ever unclutch, going up or down. Make sure no

one is behind car, it may sound bumb but I have seen accidents that way. Have tire chucks handy.
If car needs help going up do it from the sides.
You can also have small ramps for the rear tires to reduce the angle on your ramps.
Good luck
Mandy

you could get a double over pulley also.
https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Max-...Blocks&qid=1594153201&sr=8-50&ts_id=379523011

honestly i use a crappy harbor freight 2500lbs rated ATV winch on my car trailer and with a good battery i have pulled some dumb stuff up a set of pleated ramps.

It'll work fine for a car on wheels, but you have to consider the cases when you may need to drag part of the car on the trailer. I wouldn't go less than 7k myself.

General rule of thumb with winch sizing is 1.5-2x vehicle weight. I ended up going with a 9500lb winch on my trailer (which mostly is used on DSMs) because I also wanted to be able to winch up 1/2-ton trucks too. That being said, a 4500 lb winch is right at the minimum recommendation for a properly rolling 3000 lb car.

99gst_racer said:

General rule of thumb with winch sizing is 1.5-2x vehicle weight. I ended up going with a 9500lb winch on my trailer (which mostly is used on DSMs) because I also wanted to be able to winch up 1/2-ton trucks too. That being said, a 4500 lb winch is right at the minimum recommendation for a properly rolling 3000 lb car.

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Thank you. We appreciate the wisdom of members who have had first hand experience, so that we don’t experience first hand failure, !

9.5k Badlands is cheap enough. A snatch block would make it easier on the winch either way. Will also allow for directional pull if needed.

tlikethedrink said:

9.5k Badlands is cheap enough. A snatch block would make it easier on the winch either way. Will also allow for directional pull if needed.

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Ture. Since speed is not the issue, a snatch block would be an excellent way of lowering the demand on the winch.