Winches

[JakeJ_Mn]

Currently, my side crank winches on my 19' wheelhouse are Fulton K1550 brake winches. In 2 winters, even with cleaning and lubricating they are rusted useless. I contacted Fulton, but haven't had much luck. Anyone have a better winch solution?? I am considering a single speed Shelby 1900 lb. boat winch. Thanks.

[BartmanMN]

On one of the house builds years ago, the guy used a winch with straps rather than cables. He also made the winches removable so he could take them off and put a pin in while driving to prevent them from getting salted.

[JakeJ_Mn]

These are Fulton K1550 (1500#) winches from my wheelhouse after 2 winters. I am still not getting any satisfaction from Fulton.

[aanderud]

I'm no expert but I wouldn't expect anything different from a winch driven on salty roads over the course of 2 years in MN. What kind of help would you expect from a manufacturer in this situation?

[JakeJ_Mn]

Salty roads or not I would expect the company to honor its 5 year warrenty which states if the winch becomes inoperable due to rust it will be replaced free of charge. These are made for saltwater applications. Every time I traveled on messy roads these were rinsed and lubricated, but I couldn't stop the rust. My last trailer had Dutton-Lainson winches and there was no rust even after 4 years of use.

[hovermn]

After having some fulton and Northern Tool brand winches fail on me out in the field, I tried Dutton-Lainson, and now I'm sold. They are by far the nicest, most bomb-proof winches I've owned. I especially like the tool-less removable handles on some (or all?) of their hand whiches.

[aanderud]

Salty roads or not I would expect the company to honor its 5 year warrenty which states if the winch becomes inoperable due to rust it will be replaced free of charge. These are made for saltwater applications. Every time I traveled on messy roads these were rinsed and lubricated, but I couldn't stop the rust. My last trailer had Dutton-Lainson winches and there was no rust even after 4 years of use.

I'd guess that they are claiming rust is normal wear and tear. If your warranty states that they are warranting against rust for 5 years and it's only been 2, then I take back my original comment. Sounds like you're getting hosed in that case. I'd keep pressing them to replace them to a functional state and then sell the new ones, meanwhile buying something better (perhaps the Dutton Lainson ones you had that lasted 4 years on your other trailer?).

[JakeJ_Mn]

Just to update. After speaking to the Fulton people about my winches, they were kind enough to replace them free of charge no hassle except for the shipping of the rusty ones back to them. The new ones have arrived, but I have already installed Shelby winches. I will keep the Fultons for spares.

Fulton told me that their winches aren't made to withstand Minnesota salty road winters in the wheelwells of fish houses. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has winch failure due to rust. I am on the road over 4000 miles a winter pulling my wheelhouse. I have coated the new ones with recommended white Lithium grease spray.

Fulton stood by their warrenty and I applaud them for helping me.

[aanderud]

Awesome. Good to hear that they stand by their warranty. Way to stick to your guns.

[MuleShack]

I've got the 2300# shelby winches on mine and they were fine for the first 3 years and then I forgot to spray them off this spring and they froze up. I was going to replace with the dutton, but wasn't sure they would match up in the bolt holes, so went with the shelby's again.

One thing you can try is go to canvas craft and have them make you a custom measured winch pole cover that zippers or snaps on the back side and extends the full length of the winch pole. This should keep a bunch of the salt and grime off the winches. It would be even tighter if you would remove the crank each time your traveling over the road but they can make you one that will fit over the crank as well.

[tisosy11]

I purchased the house with the removable winches from back in 2010 that was detailed on this site. Everything still looks brand new. Great design!