Serpent Express - Winch

[swwebb]

I just picked up my new Serpent Express (18 ft - enclosed), and now I need to get a winch to put in the bottom of the front toolbox. Any suggestions? Also, how should I power the winch?

Thanks,
Steve

[rich grsc]

Is there a reason you need a winch? In 8 years I've never needed one

[Jeff Kleiner]

I have a small Superwinch UT3000 on mine which is connected to a battery in the tongue box. When the trailer connector is plugged into the truck the battery gets charged through a Hopkins #20400 "Engager" breakaway controller and charger. I guess it works; like Rich I've not ever needed to use it (I picked up a friends broken down car at LCS last year but it was just easier and quicker for 3 of us to simply push it in. Of course if you were alone and broken down it would be a different story ;) )

Jeff

[swwebb]

Jeff - thanks. That's the rub.

"Of course if you were alone and broken down it would be a different story."

[nuhale]

I have a superwinch in my SE. I wired up a post with a high amp fuse which I run a pair of jumper cables to the car battery. I don't use it but loan out the trailer to local folks who have. Seems to do the trick.

[JohnK]

If it will be used infrequently, you could go with the Warn cordless winch like this one (https://www.amazon.com/WARN-885005-PullzAll-Cordless-Electric/dp/B00437IHOC/ref=sr_1_13?gclid=Cj0KCQjwmuiTBhDoARIsAPiv6L-Gesy-t6E0UTGzNfVdfzuESUdUD1eTyTooyDeQGn1exI3JwZeTgXcaAt aMEALw_wcB&hvadid=177602337972&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9032142&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=8087256719905335705&hvtargid=kwd-14436736271&hydadcr=7496_9586299&keywords=warn+pullzall+cordless&qid=1652207700&sr=8-13) and avoid having to permanently install a winch + battery. Just install a tie down to be able to hook the winch to. I have the plug-in version of that winch, and it works well.

[SJDave]

Hey Steve, congrats on getting a great trailer!

I share a steel trailer with two other local guys, we got a truck aluminum tool box at a Black Friday sale and mounted it on the tongue of the trailer. We then welded up some mounting brackets and cut an opening in the back of the box for the winch cable to exit and mounted a Harbor Freight ATV 2500 pound winch. Put a motorcycle battery in the Box and a Solar Charger on the Lid of the Box, has worked great for 5 years. the trailer sits for 6 months many times so we figured the solar charger was the way to go. Still on original battery. Pulls my 3200 pound Corvette on the trailer like nothing. Trailer at my buddies right now but you can see the panel on top the toolbox, the winch exit, and the winch controller connector on the side of the box. Also mounted LED light strips on front and rear of toolbox for night time loading. Rocker switch on side of Box visible too.

Winch:
https://www.harborfreight.com/3500-lb-atvpowersport-12v-winch-with-wire-rope-56259.html

Solar Panel:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TWF5L3W/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?pd_rd_i=B07TWF5L3W&pd_rd_w=Gl0HT&pf_rd_p=0c758152-61cd-452f-97a6-17f070f654b8&pd_rd_wg=ffrn8&pf_rd_r=ST79AP89WZFZB21XC6PB&pd_rd_r=a049f902-5926-4384-b0a6-c11f16b0d577&s=electronics&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFBQUhPMjFNMlhRM1gmZ W5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTEwMzM4NjEzOEVDSDNaNksyVFFVJmVuY3J 5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAzNjg5NzgxS1JRUEozM0dBS0k1JndpZGdld E5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmR vTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1

[acmikee]

i have a badlands 5000 from harbor freight with a wire less control battery in a battery box connected to a battery tender to keep it charged