Cable winches for trailers
The right winch for pulling, lifting and dragging loads
A cable winch for trailers moves vehicles, boats and other loads in a controlled way using a cable or strap. AL-KO VT offers braked cable winches and unbraked drag winches for different requirements. Key selection criteria are not only the weight, but also the incline, cable layer and type of load.
Overview of cable winches for trailers
- PLUS cable winches with 350, 500, 900 or 1,150 kg maximum pull load in the lowest cable layer
- BASIC cable winches with 450 or 900 kg maximum pull load in the lowest cable layer
- Braked BASIC and PLUS models with automatic load pressure brake
- BASIC drag winches with 250 or 500 kg for horizontal dragging tasks
- Available with cable, strap or automatic cable pay-out depending on version
- Typical applications include boat trailers and car transport trailers
Which cable winch does my trailer need?
The right winch depends on the load and the specific application. A vehicle rolling onto a trailer places different demands to a load that does not roll or a load that is lifted vertically.
For lifting, holding and lowering, the BASIC and PLUS braked cable winches are recommended. Their automatic load pressure brake holds the load when the crank is released. The prescribed minimum load of 25 kg must be observed.
Unbraked BASIC drag winches, on the other hand, are designed exclusively for pulling non-rolling loads. They have no device for controlled lowering.
How much pull force is required for my cable winch?
When choosing a cable winch, the stated pull load is not the only important factor. The actual weight that can be moved depends in particular on the cable layer, the incline, and whether a load is to be lifted or pulled. Available pull force decreases as the cable is wound onto the drum.
This can be seen, for example, with the PLUS 900: For vertical lifting, the guide value is 900 kg in the lowest, 600 kg in the middle and 330 kg in the top cable layer. Rolling loads, on the other hand, can be significantly heavier. With a 10 percent incline, the respective guide values are 5,800 kg in the lowest, 3,900 kg in the middle and 2,100 kg in the top cable layer.
The exact application is therefore always decisive. For optimum service life, AL-KO VT recommends operating the cable winch in the medium load range wherever possible. If the required performance is consistently close to the limit, it may be advisable to select the next larger version.
Frequently asked questions about cable winches for trailers
The automatic cable pay-out makes it easier to unwind cable or strap. After deactivating the load pressure brake, the cable or strap can be pulled off the drum. This function is available on selected versions.
Straps are available for various models. The straps offered in the product range are designed exclusively for horizontal pulling. For lifting, only suitable straps according to DIN EN 13157 must be used.
No. The cable winches are designed for manual, temporally limited use and are not intended for continuous operation. They are operated using the crank; machine drives are not permitted.
No. The cable winches are not approved as lashing devices. You must use systems intended specifically for load securing.