When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
When I got my car we used a high lift jack as a come along. Took forever and was a pain in the rear. So I decided to look at nice come alongs and couldn’t believe how much they were and short of cable they had. So I decided to look at those hand held warn winches. I stumbled across their portable utility winches. I’m sure a lot of you have seen them but they were new to me. I called Warn and told them my plan. They recommended the 2000lb so I got it and the winch plate for under $140. The nice come along I looked at tractor supply was $150. This winch has 35’ of cable. I figure I have to go up a trailer at least 5 more times. This will come in handy for doing it myself or with just the kid. I’m sure I will find other uses as well.
Next time I’m going to back the truck up on ramps as I think Frankie did. Also I was going to pin the extra chain that goes over the mount but when I took tension up on the winch, I just pulled her right up. Purchased 25’ of 4 gauge wire, some quick disconnects and some PET looming. Cut about a foot long piece and put a quick connect at my battery. 24’ left and the winch comes with 6’ of power cable. Everything stores in nice sized Rubbermaid box I had so it stores nice.
In the first picture you can see I just bolted and taped the extension cable and winch power. The pins in the quick connect were to big so I am ordering the correct gauge to install later.
Nice little winch and very handy to have.I have used these U-Haul trailers countless times, they are the best when my personal trailer and myself are in different locations.
You shouldn't scrape on the U-haul trailer ramps with a midyear without a drivetrain (riding high)....with a complete car it can occur pretty easily... Several ways to deal with it, find a sloped loading spot, crank the U-haul front "landing gear" ALL the way down to raise the front -- I prefer the ramps...at the rear tires of the tow vehicle. My Race Ramps only weigh a few pounds (chock the other tires of course)...
Another trick is to roll/drive the car right up to the trailer's stops, engage the parking brake or whatever.....get the front ratchet straps over the tires and lightly tightened, then RELEASE the parking brake and crank down on the straps hard letting the car roll up against the wheel stops ALL the way - this gets the car completely forward tight against the stops....then re-engage the parking brake.
Otherwise you'll find you have some slop at the front after a few miles...with the towed car shifting slightly fore and aft while moving...
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; 11-09-2018 at 05:51 AM.
Not quite clear on how the portable winch mounts to the U-Haul; I understand its a plate but does it use U-bolts or the like for attachment, and, are you pulling the car up with the chain on each of the upper control arms ?
Thanks guys. FTF, I’m pulling in the frame holes with the t-hooks or whatever they called. The mount actually uses the chains and are hooked to the ring on the tongue behind the jack. The chain is adjustable by the slots cut in the mount. The beauty of this setup is that you can connect the winch anywhere that you have power cable length. Trees, poles or whatever. I had my son balance it on the U-Haul crossbrace while I pulled out the cable. Then when tension is on it stays. If I was by myself I would quick clamp a 2x4 on each side of the brace to give a wider foot for the winch to set while the cable is pulled. I also have a ****** block if I need more than the 2000lb and the 35’ cable has plenty of room to double back. Here is a stock photo of the mount.
I just did this a week ago with my '57. Towed with a 2017 Yukon and 5 1/2" drop ball, there was no clearance problems driving the car onto the trailer. Tip: put a towel or rag between the front wheel straps and the whitewalls. The straps will rub and leave stains on the whitewalls. These trailers are very easy to use.
Nick
Definitely less sweat producing than a come a long, though mine didn't cost $150.
For the two times i have manually loaded a car on a trailer in the last 10 years, this worked well, though not fast, and required a couple wheel block and resets.
The only issue I've had with the U-haul is that twice I got one where the brakes were "grabby" - once I figured that out I could compensate when braking...
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; 11-09-2018 at 12:31 PM.
Sometimes my car gets more attention in traffic on a trailer than it does moving under its own power.
Dont know why.
It looks like you just bought it and are taking it home and they want the same dream . I've noticed this even when I have just bought a project and am hauling it home .
I got it on amazon as they were the cheapest. I paid $71 last week and now they show $89. The 4000 pound is $200 more. The one I have is the Warn 2000 DC.
11-08-2018, 07:29 PM
OT / Loading on a U-Haul Trailer
