10 Best Winch For Car Trailers (Tested) 2023

The best winch for a car trailer is lightweight, easy to use, durable, and strong. It must have a powerful motor to pull a heavy trailer with a car, and the motor should be easy to handle.

If you are planning to buy a winch for a car trailer, then it is essential to consider the following factors before buying.

First, you should ensure that the winch has a power rating of 5 horsepower. This should be enough to pull a car trailer with a maximum weight of 1,500 pounds.

Second, the winch should have a power cable of at least 12 feet. This should be enough to reach the bottom of the car trailer.

Third, you should consider the torque rating of the winch. The torque rating should be at least 250 foot pounds. This means the winch should have a power capacity of at least 2,500 watts.

Fourth, the winch should have a safety switch. This switch is important to prevent accidental operation. You should also consider buying a winch with a safety wire to avoid injury to the operator.

Finally, you should check whether the winch has a brake system. This brake should be easy to use and ensure the winch stops instantly when encountering an obstacle.

You should consider these factors to ensure you get the best winch for a car trailer.

At a Glance:

Best Winch For Car Trailer 2023

DesignRetailer
Best Pick1. WARN 103255 VR EVO 12S Electric 12V DC Winch
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2. Smittybilt X2O COMP – Waterproof Synthetic Rope Winch
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Staff Pick3. ZEAK 13000 lb. Premium Electric Winch 12V
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4. Smittybilt GEN 2 XRC Winch
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Budget Pick5. OPEN ROAD 10000lbs 12 Volts, Electric Winch
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Best Pick6. STEGODON New 9500 lb. Load Capacity Electric Winch
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7. TYT T1 Series Winch 13000 lb. Advanced Load Capacity Electric Winch
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Staff Pick8. ACDK 13000 lb. Electric Winch Kit, 12V Winch
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9. Champion Power Equipment14560 4500lb. ATV/UTV Wireless Winch Kit
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Budget Pick10. OFF ROAD BOAR 9500lb. Load Capacity Electric Winch Kit
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1. WARN 103255 VR EVO 12S Electric 12V DC Winch

Best Pick
1 49

The Warn Warn electric winch is a popular choice for most homeowners. It’s great value for money, and it’s also backed by a 2-year warranty.

The Warn Warn electric winch has a high pulling capacity of 12,000 pounds and can reach 30 miles per hour. This means you can pull almost anything with ease.

The Warn Warn electric winch has a high-quality planetary gearbox, which helps deliver maximum torque at low rpm. This makes it easier to start and stop the rope, which saves time and energy.

The Warn Warn electric winch has a powerful Albright contactor that provides a fast response time. This feature ensures that the motor won’t stall when working under heavy loads and won’t overheat.

The Warn Warn electric winch comes with a 12-volt DC output, which can be used on any vehicle. It has an IP68rated waterproof construction, which is ideal for use in extreme conditions.

The Warn Warn electric winch also has a two-in-one remote, which is useful for remote operations. If you want to ensure the winch is working correctly, you can check the indicator lights.

All the control packs can be relocated for lowprofile installations, so you can mount the winch to the vehicle in a different position.

The Warn Warn electric winch is designed, engineered, and tested in the USA, so you know it will provide you with reliable performance for years.

This winch is easy to use and maintain, saving time.

Pros

  •  Powerful; ideal for small to medium-sized vehicles
  •  Can handle a wide variety of applications

Cons

  •  Pricey
  •  Limited lifetime warranty

2. Smittybilt X2O COMP – Waterproof Synthetic Rope Winch

2 12

This is my second Smittybilt winch; I’ve used it for about two years.

I bought this winch for our new pool, which we just finished. It’s extremely easy to operate, and I’m happy with its work.

We installed this winch on the shoreline, which does its job flawlessly. We have a lot of rocks and sand along the shoreline, so I’m pleased that this winch is completely waterproof.

I’ve had many customers ask me what’s the best winch to use, and I always recommend this one. A reputable company makes it and does what it says on the box.

Pros

  •  Powerful and reliable
  •  Good value for money
  •  Sturdy and durable

Cons

  •  Not suitable for smaller vehicles
  •  Not suitable for the offroad purposes

3. ZEAK 13000 lb. Premium Electric Winch 12V

Staff Pick
3 10

The ZEAK Electric Winch is a well-designed, well-built product ready for the toughest jobs.

I use it to pull a car off the road. It’s a little hard to control when moving, but it’s surprisingly powerful once you’ve got it going.

It’s made from strong materials guaranteed to last for years, and it’s IP68 rated for water resistance.

The electric winch has a 6-speed planetary gear system, allowing for a wide range of pulling power.

The winch comes with a 2-stage clutch to prevent the rope from being pulled out when you’re not using it, and it has a maximum rope length of 73.2 feet, which is more than enough for most purposes.

The winch is a heavy-duty winch, and it’s built to last. You can use it for hours, days, or years, and it won’t disappoint you.

You can use this winch to pull a car off the road or lift a boat stuck in the mud.

It’s a very handy tool and one of the best electric winches I’ve used.

If you’re looking for a reliable winch, this is the one.

Pros

  •  Strong and stable; makes your life easier and saves your time
  •  It can be used with all types of vehicles
  •  Good value for money

Cons

  •  Not ideal for use with vehicles

4. Smittybilt GEN 2 XRC Winch

4 9

Smittybilt is one of the most trusted names in winches, and the Gen2 XRC Winch is no exception.

I’m not a fan of the standard winch that came with my pool, so I got the Smittybilt Gen2 XRC Winch instead. It has a 500AMP solenoid, one of the highest-rated on the market.

The Gen2 is completely waterproof, and it’s built to last. It’s made from high-strength alloy steel, and it’s powder coated to prevent rust.

In addition, Smittybilt offers a lifetime warranty for the solenoid on the stainless steel models and a 5-year warranty on the powder-coated models. This is rare for a winch, and you can be confident it’ll perform well for years.

This Smittybilt Gen2 XRC Winch is great for pulling in and out of the pool or lifting heavy objects from the pool deck.

You can even use it to pull your boat in or out of the water.

The XRC series is the best model in this range, and it’s very well-built. The one that I have has a 9,500 lb. load capacity, which is plenty for any task.

Pros

  •  Simple design; no technical knowledge needed
  •  Works well for lifting heavy loads
  •  It can be used for recreational purposes; suitable for both indoor and outdoor use
  •  Easy to operate; controls are simple to use

Cons

  •  No spare parts are provided

5. OPEN ROAD 10000lbs 12 Volts, Electric Winch

Budget Pick
5 7

If you’re looking for a reliable winch that will perform well in all environments, look no further than the OpenRoad ATV 3500lb winch.

It’s got a powerful 1.5 HP motor capable of pulling up to 3500 pounds. This is enough for most ATVs and UTVs, so you’re sure to get the job done.

The gear ratio is also very high at 153:1, so you can pull much weight without worrying about breaking the winch.

The winch rope is also pretty thick and made from high-quality synthetic materials, so you know you’re dealing with a strong winch. It’s also easy to use as it features a simple push-button start and a built-in LED light, so you can see where you’re pulling from.

The included remote is also nice as it’s got high quality and intuitive design. You can use it to operate the winch from anywhere within a 50-foot radius, so you can easily monitor it and ensure you’re safe while operating it.

You also need two longer cables to connect to the battery, and the shorter one must be connected to the motor. So, if you’re unsure how to set everything up, a detailed manual will guide you through the process.

The OpenRoad ATV 3500lb winch is a great winch that’s versatile and powerful. It can be used in a wide range of situations, and it’s designed to work well in all types of conditions.

Pros

  •  Strong wind resistance
  •  Easy to maintain
  •  High quality

Cons

  • Not for heavy loads

6. STEGODON New 9500 lb. Load Capacity Electric Winch

Best Pick
6 4

This is a new version of the Stegodon electric winch, designed to be more robust and better insulated.

The main difference between the previous version and this one is that the new version is more stable, reliable, and durable.

Stegodon is known for its excellent quality, and they’ve ensured that the winch they’re offering is high quality and durable. They’ve also included a lifetime warranty, and the solenoid is much stronger, so you won’t have to worry about it.

They’ve also improved the heat insulation on the gearbox, and the design is more stable and reliable. It also comes with a new remote control, a nice touch.

It has a high rating of IP67, so it should be pretty resistant to water damage.

The new winch is easy to operate and control and fairly light. You don’t need to worry about being heavy or bulky, so it’s great for outdoor applications.

In terms of size, it’s larger than the previous model, but it doesn’t feel too big or unwieldy.

You can attach it to your vehicle, so you won’t have to worry about dragging it around on your hands and knees.

If you want a powerful, durable, reliable electric winch, then this is a good option.

Pros

  •  Lightweight and compact; comfortable and secure

Cons

  • None

7. TYT T1 Series Winch 13000 lb. Advanced Load Capacity Electric Winch

7

The Type T1 is a 13,000lb winch with an IP67 rating, which means it’s waterproof and dustproof. It features a dual remote control and overload protection, perfect for offroad vehicles like a Jeep or a boat.

Installation is simple enough: mount the winch to the underside of your vehicle, attach the anchor line to the winch, and then pull the line to lift the vehicle.

This winch is strong enough to lift a small car and has a large capacity.

The strong motor provides enough power to lift a car easily, and the winch can be controlled remotely.

The remote control is easy to use and has a built-in LED light so you can see where you are placing the winch.

And the overload protection is important because it stops the winch from being damaged if it gets overloaded.

This winch is also durable, and it has a 5-year warranty, and the company will replace it for free.

If you’re looking for a powerful and reliable winch, consider buying the Tyt T1.

Pros

  • Strong pull capacity
  •  It can be used for different vehicles
  •  Easy to install and remove

Cons

  •  Not suitable for heavy-duty winching jobs

8. ACDK 13000 lb. Electric Winch Kit, 12V Winch

Staff Pick
8 1

I had many problems with my first winch (a Craftsman) and was worried about purchasing another. But I’m happy to report that this ACDK 13500 lb. electric winch is amazing.

It’s got a 500 amp solenoid, which means it has enough power to pull heavy loads. But it also has a very simple design, so it’s easy to use.

I like the way it’s controlled too. The remote is compact and easy to use, and it also has an LED display that shows you how much tension is on the cable, so you can easily see if you need to adjust the tension.

The winch is also built to withstand the toughest conditions and is waterproof up to IP67. This means you can use it on boats, trucks, and other vehicles, even if they’re filled with water.

It also comes with lifetime technical support and a two-year warranty. I haven’t had any problems with it yet, but I plan to use it for my Jeep, knowing it will last for a long time.

I’ve been looking for a winch for a while, and this one is perfect. The price is right too.

Pros

  •  Controls and dials are simple to use
  •  It provides a comfortable fit

Cons

  •   Expensive

9. Champion Power Equipment14560 4500lb. ATV/UTV Wireless Winch Kit

9

When buying a winch, you want one that does the job and won’t break the bank. This is why we love this winch from Champion.

At 4500 lbs., it’s a strong unit but not overkill. Its line speed is fast enough to get the job done, and you can use it safely on even the roughest terrain.

The 4500lb. Line pull is powered by a 1.6hp (12volt) DC motor, which has a line speed of 4.6 ft./min. With a full load and 12.8 ft./min. With no load. This makes it extremely efficient.

The winch also features a winch brake that lets you stop the cable from pulling and a reverse button to reverse the direction of the line pull.

The included wireless remote and antenna, mounting channel, roller fairlead, and wiring kit make it easy to operate the winch from anywhere within a 50ft. radius.

We also like how the winch is made of heavy-duty steel and has a galvanized finish that can withstand even the harshest environments.

The winch has a lifetime warranty backed by Champion’s 2-year warranty. If anything goes wrong, they will fix or replace it for free.

Pros

  •  Lightweight and durable
  •  Includes winch, mount, and contactor
  •  Sturdy and well made

Cons

  • None

10. OFF ROAD BOAR 9500lb. Load Capacity Electric Winch Kit

Budget Pick
10

I love my winch, it’s incredibly strong and powerful, but I wasn’t sure what kind of batteries to get. I couldn’t find any battery packs rated at 5.5HP, so I ordered the OffRoad Boar 9500lb. Load Capacity Electric Winch Kit, 12V Steel Cable Winch with Roller Fairlead, Waterproof IP67 Towing Winches with Wireless Handheld Remote and Corded Control.

I received the winch, which was surprisingly light, at just over 8 pounds. It’s made of tough plastic and will last for years. I haven’t tested it on concrete yet, but it should be fine.

The battery pack is rated at 5.5HP, so it’s much stronger than the 3.7 HP battery I had on my old winch, and that’s enough for my purposes. I use this winch for towing my ATV, but I also plan to pull the skid steer occasionally.

The winch is very easy to use. Its buttons let you choose between 3 modes – wired remote, wireless remote, and manual. There’s also a button for the fairlead that makes it easier to adjust the cable tension.

I love how the handle adjusts, and it doesn’t feel flimsy. The winch is pretty heavy, and I can carry it around easily.

I noticed that the fairlead is not designed to be used with a watertight cover. It’s not a big deal, but if you plan to tow your boat or trailer through water, you might consider using a separate fair lead.

I love how compact and light this winch is; it will last me for years. I recommend this to anyone who needs a strong, sturdy winch for towing.

Pros

  •  High efficiency and durable; safe and reliable
  •  The ATV/UTV winch is safe and reliable
  •  It can be customized according to the customers’ needs
  •  Available in different color options

Cons

  •  The winch may need to be assembled by professionals
  •  The winch is not suitable for heavy-duty work; it should be carefully used
  •  Some models are not suitable for some applications


Conclusion

In conclusion, when you need a winch, you should go with a quality winch, like the #1 winch in this review. This is the best winch on the market because of its excellent build quality, affordable price, and strong performance. With this winch, you get a 1.5 horsepower motor and a 1,500 lb. capacity. You’ll be able to use this winch to tow heavy loads and pull all kinds of objects.


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Kim Goodson
By Kim Goodson

Meet Kim Goodson, a car enthusiast, and expert in car accessories. With a passion for cars, Kim researches and tests different accessories to provide valuable insights to fellow car owners.


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