Trailer winch broke!

[Capt. Bob]

That very thought crossed my mind too. Not messing up the bolts but the winch sproutin' "legs" for sure.

[wingtime]

maybe get some tamper resistant bolts

[RickK]

Looks sweet.  Let us know how it works when you get to use it.
I was reading some reviews on e-trailer.com and found this "Note: The rating of 3200 lbs. is a bit misleading. The side of the housing is marked saying it's rated at 3200 lbs. first layer, and 1600 lbs. with a full drum. I guess that means the more you strap wind in, the less pulling it can handle."  Wonder if all winch ratings decline as the drum fills, which would explain why some are useless in the last few feet?

[Aswaff400]

Looks sweet.  Let us know how it works when you get to use it.
I was reading some reviews on e-trailer.com and found this "Note: The rating of 3200 lbs. is a bit misleading. The side of the housing is marked saying it's rated at 3200 lbs. first layer, and 1600 lbs. with a full drum. I guess that means the more you strap wind in, the less pulling it can handle."  Wonder if all winch ratings decline as the drum fills, which would explain why some are useless in the last few feet?

i know in the offroad world, winches are rated on the first layer of line on the spool, and as each layer builds, the capacity decreases...
on warns VR12000 winch the rating by layer of line/cable:
Layer/Lbs(Kgs)
1/12000 (5443)
2/11120 (5044)
3/10340 (4690)
4/9770 (4432)
5/9250 (4196)

[wingtime]

The capacity with a full drum is molded into the side cover.  So just as Aaron said as the layers build up on the drum of a winch it's capacity decreases..  so it effects all winches.    The reason for the lower capacity is simple physics...  the more cable or strap there is on the drum the larger the diameter....  A larger diameter equals a larger lever....  so the strap or cable exerts more leverage against the drum hence the lower capacity.  This is why I may shorten the strap once I figure out the maximum length I need.