Truck/Trailer/Winch folks

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Truck/Trailer/Winch folks - a question

This topic can be found at:
https://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/320601935/m/6730082815

November 21, 2025, 09:15 AM

PHPaul

Truck/Trailer/Winch folks - a question

I have Reese receivers on my trailers to mount my portable winch in to drag stuff up onto the trailer.

On the Tundra, I ran a set of welding leads from the battery back to the rear of the truck with an Anderson connector to plug the winch in. Worked great.

I don't want do modify the new Ford in that manner for reasons.

I'm thinking a separate battery just for running the winch is the answer. The question is, WHAT battery?

Initial thought is a deep cycle battery of some sort, and just keep it in the garage on a maintainer until needed.

Yes? No? Size/CCA? Regular lead/acid vs. deep cycle vs. AGM?

November 21, 2025, 09:33 AM

a1abdj

I have winches of some sort on all manner of detachable equipment. I just get regular lead acid batteries from Walmart, marine if they will fit that particular piece of equipment.

Almost all of them are exposed to the elements and remain on the equipment full time. Some have built in chargers, some I will use an automotive style charger, and the fancy ones have a solar trickle charger. On the non-trickle charger units I only charge them as needed.

November 21, 2025, 10:18 AM

Perception

If you still have any documentation for the winch it may give minimum battery recommendations for your specific winch.

"The people hate the lizards and the lizards rule the people."
"Odd," said Arthur, "I thought you said it was a democracy."
"I did," said Ford, "it is."
"So," said Arthur, hoping he wasn't sounding ridiculously obtuse, "why don't the people get rid of the lizards?"
"It honestly doesn't occur to them. They've all got the vote, so they all pretty much assume that the government they've voted in more or less approximates the government they want."
"You mean they actually vote for the lizards."
"Oh yes," said Ford with a shrug, "of course."
"But," said Arthur, going for the big one again, "why?"
"Because if they didn't vote for a lizard, then the wrong lizard might get in."

November 21, 2025, 11:56 AM

ryan81986

I have a 2000lb winch on my trailer that I use to haul up my 1300lb railcar. It is mounted inside a toolbox that is bolted to the trailer itself. I just put an old car battery in it with a solar trickle charger permanently wired to the battery, and that has worked well for 2 years with no issues.

November 21, 2025, 12:24 PM

4MUL8R

If the winch is used for short duration pulls, I recommend a high reserve capacity battery over one with super high cold cranking amps. This should minimize the need for frequent recharging. Consider how you will ground the winch motor, trailer and battery. You may want a disconnect procedure for the flat four way trailer lights cable when winching.

(Don’t forget to add the two howitzer trails to the trailer. The shovel like ends will dig in when you pull that equipment up the ramp.)