Installing a winch on your garage to pull your boat in !

[ArmyChief]

@Chad Scheer ,

Get two of these and MAKE SURE you route cable correctly. Will pull no problem!

Read about utilizing snatch blocks. They significantly multiply your pulling power !

http://m.harborfreight.com/snatch-block-61673.html

 

[sysinu]

Personally, I think this is a better idea than trailer valet. I have an XL (the new one) and while I mentioned I would show some people it in use - I ended up being a slacker and had the boat wrapped and then I parked it on the side of my garage for the winter instead of inside the garage (leaving more room for the snowmobiles and ice sleds, etc).

 

[ArmyChief]

Agree..I love my setup..A one man (women) show..easy-peasy

 

[Chad Scheer]

Ya, my biggest issue is the slope of the driveway. Only 6% but still a slope. Plus its always fun putting something together.

 

[ArmyChief]

Ya, my biggest issue is the slope of the driveway. Only 6% but still a slope. Plus its always fun putting something together.

@Chad Scheer ,

Did you look at the snatch block link and read up on that?
You will have ZERO issues...utilizing snatch blocks and proper cable routing and mounting

 

[Chad Scheer]

Sure did. I also spoke to my buddy (literally a rocket engineer) and he did some physics calculations to show initial force needed then sustaining force needed based on weight, slope, coefficient, etc and we believe just using the winch will be fine. But I guess if I snap a cable I will be off to buy a snatch block...

 

[tdonoughue]

I have a Trailer Valet. No way I would consider it for a 6-7% grade. Works perfectly for my application (essentially flat). But I can tell when I hit the 1% grade...

Please, no snapping cables. I am sure your buddy calculated correctly, but I would make sure to leave 50-100% extra. I have seen nasty results from snapped cable hitting people. Now I always figure out what I need, add some, and go one more size up.

 

[sysinu]

I have a Trailer Valet. No way I would consider it for a 6-7% grade. Works perfectly for my application (essentially flat). But I can tell when I hit the 1% grade...

Please, no snapping cables. I am sure your buddy calculated correctly, but I would make sure to leave 50-100% extra. I have seen nasty results from snapped cable hitting people. Now I always figure out what I need, add some, and go one more size up.

Amen to the snapped cables bit... A guy I know got a tractor from someone because the previous owner no longer needed it (the tractor was towing something using a cable that snapped and decapitated the driver). I asked the guy I know if he painted a tear somewhere around the headlights as to indicate it had killed someone... .. . it was funny at the time, but we had been drinking when I cracked the joke.


I was at Lake Powell a while back when one of the tire lines broke due to the heavy current/wind. The tug that took care of the west side of the line was great... but only 1 tug was available. They had a tour boat try to help on the other line... I'm surprised that no one got killed. I took video of it, jump to 2:20 in this vid... imagine that cable hitting you!!

 

[Chad Scheer]

Well, I got it done this weekend. No pictures since I did it exactly the way ArmyChief did his, 4x4 size, bolt size, everything. The only difference is I have a false wall on that side so I put it behind the wall and just popped a hole through the drywall.

Other than that, I did buy the HF trailer dolly. I will say that if you plan on getting one, don't get that one. They only sell the one 600lb one with a NON-adjustable ball height. I had to take it back to get the next step up at NT. It was 20 bucks more, came with an adjustable ball height and never-flat tires. The HF one was just to low. The both say they come with a 1 7/8 ball, but you can put a 2" on there as long as it is a 3/4 " shaft. Just pick up an extra while you are at (or ordering from) NT.

I used it once and was very happy. My driveway has a 6 degree slope and it didn't seem to cause any issues. As stated before, we made sure the small winch would be plenty and it sure seemed to be without needing the snatch blocks. Steering was great with the NT dolly. Now my only thing to figure out is how to get it out of the garage. I tried wit hooking the truck up but the wheels are just to tight to the sides. It looks nice to have 2 single garage doors, but makes it a pain with the boat. So I have to manually get it out of the garage past the wheels, then hook it up to my truck. I might look at one of these hitch mount 12V winches to get it out far enough. it is fine to push with 2 people, I am just trying to get it setup for 1.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Sounds like you need to bolt some wheel guides (6x6) to the floor so you can pull in and out without hitting the sides of your opening.

 

[Danielmailin]

I'm doing the same set up to pull my boat into my garage, my issue is that the boat has to go in bow inside.
Can you post pictures on how you mounted the snatch blocks?

 

[Danielmailin]

Finally, I put together the winch using the recomendations from @ArmyChief and pulled my boat bow facing in.
I had to do some modifications in the garage first, moving the washer and dryer from its current location to give me an extra 2 feet to let the boat in.

 

[ACRDSPORT14]

I would have a headache if i had to look at all that stuff in my garage!

 

[Gym]

I would have a headache if i had to look at all that stuff in my garage!

Ya but, I'll bet he knows where everything is.