12 volt winch power options

[JScott]

I'd like to pull my fish house up on to my tilt snowmobile trailer using a winch mounted on a plate that is easily removed most of the time. I know I could bring a battery just to power the winch, but am wondering if I could also power it through the trailer light recepticle on the truck (Tundra)?

Just wondering if there is a down side to doing that or if it would damage the electrical system on the truck by overloading it, etc...

I'm also considering using a boat trailer hand winch, but I'm not sure how to mount that so it will work with the trailer tilted up.

[jac714]

A winch will draw way too much power from a trailer plug, the wire is not large enough to support the load. if you don't want to carry an extra battery I would buy enough wire of the next larger gauge than the recommended size (by the winch mfgr) to connect to the truck battery to power the winch. Use jumper cable clamps on the battery end and what ever type of connection the winch needs on the other.

[CAMAN]

^^^^What he said^^^^

Also don't forget the proper circuit breaker

[jac714]

Good catch.