Winches 101: A Complete Guide to Winches and Winch Systems
A winch is only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to a winch system. A complete winch system is what keeps flatbed loads secure, efficient, and safe.
From the winch itself to straps, bars, and track, every component works together to create a reliable flatbed securement system. When one piece is missing or mismatched, performance and safety suffer.
In this guide, we break down the full winch system, how each component functions, and how to build a setup that works for your hauling needs.
Jump to the Information You Need:
What Are Winches?
Winches are small devices mounted on the side or bottom of a flatbed trailer as part of the full tie-down system. They are primarily used by truckers and farms to secure heavy cargo and large equipment on trailers.
Made from heavy-duty steel with a black powder-coated finish, winches from US Cargo Control are durable, reliable, and resistant to damage caused by dirt, gravel, or other road debris.
How Do You Use Winches?
Winches play an integral role in holding tension on winch straps to keep a load in place. Once they are mounted correctly, using these devices is simple:
1. Feed the Strap Through the Winch
Take your winch strap of choice and feed the open end (the non-hook end) through the slot within the mandrel of the winch. Do not feed it through the bracket. Doing this prevents the strap from tightening.
After that, pull the open end out from the slot about 6-8 inches and fold it over onto the remainder of the strap. Slightly tighten the winch (by hand) by grabbing the end cap and twisting the strap so that the open end is tucked away.
2. Hook the Strap
Take the fitted end of the winch strap and hook it onto the opposite side of the flatbed trailer over top of your cargo. You can do this before or after the first step. Make sure you hook it securely so you don't run into any issues during the tightening process.
Ensure that your strap has the proper end fitting needed to hook onto your trailer. Flat hooks are common, as they secure well to the rub rails of flatbeds. Wire hooks and chain extension straps are also available.
3. Tighten the Strap
After hooking the strap, return to the winch and tighten it using a winch bar. To clarify, these bars fit into the holes of the winch's end cap to tighten the strap. The sprocket and pawl of the winch work together to prevent the strap from moving backwards and keep it tight.
Turn your winch bar until there is sufficient tension on the strap to hold your cargo securely.
4. Release the Strap
To release your strap, flip the pawl pin on your winch to release the tension and begin removing the strap. You can either remove the strap from the winch completely or wind the full winch strap up in your winch for easy storage.
Types of Winches
Before deciding on the type you need, consider three things: (1) the style of frame, (2) the width/type of tie down, and (3) the attachment method. These three components determine the type of winch you need for your flatbed trailer.
Winch Frame Size
The frame of the winch is arguably the most important detail. It holds together all other components and keeps the strap sturdy and stable. It also holds excess webbing not used during the tie-down process.
There are three winch frame sizes to choose from: standard, low-profile, and storable. Standard frames work best for most tie-down options and hold enough extra webbing. Low-profile frames are best in areas with little space underneath the flatbed trailer; however, they hold less excess webbing. The storable profile holds the most excess webbing and works ideally when you have plenty of room to use.
Compatibility
The next consideration is the tie-down you plan to use. In other words, you choose whether to use straps or wire rope. Other types of tie-down material won't be compatible with these devices. Most winches accept webbing up to 4" to pass through.
Lashing winches are compatible with 2" webbing and come with easy-release switches for safer, easier use. Combination winches are unique in that they accept both webbing (up to 4" wide) and wire rope.
Attachment
Finally, you need to know how you want to attach your winches to your flatbed trailer. There are three types of attachment styles to choose from: weld-on, portable (or bolt-on), and sliding.
Weld-on applications work best if you haul loads of the same size and weight consistently, as you won't need to move the winches often. Portable winches come with two screws and have slots that allow them to bolt on any part of the flatbed trailer. Sliding winches require a track - either a C-Track or a Double-L-Track - and can slide to any place along the track for easy adjustment.
Styles of Winches
With these components, we make a variety of unique winches to fit your specific needs:
Bolt-On (Portable) Winches
Bolt-On winches, also known as portable winches, are bolted into the trailer frame. They are movable, so they are a good option if you haul loads of various sizes and shapes.
4" Standard Bolt-On Flatbed Winch
- Accommodates 25 ft. of excess webbing
- Bottom mount bolt-on (comes with 2 screws)
- Can be moved as needed.
4" Low Profile Bolt-On Flatbed Winch
- Holds 15 ft. of excess webbing
- Side mount bolt-on (comes with 2 screws)
- Works in areas with little space
Weld-On Winches
As the name suggests, weld-on winches are welded directly onto the trailer frame. These are permanent, so they are best if you haul the same or similarly-sized loads consistently and won't need to move your tie-down points.
4" Standard Weld-On Flatbed Winch
- Holds 50 ft. of excess webbing
- Permanent application for higher strength
- Ideal for consistent loads
4" Low Profile Weld-On Flatbed Winch
- Holds 15 ft. of webbing
- Works great for small spaces
- Permanent application for consistent loads
4" Combination Weld-On Flatbed Winch
- Allows both webbing and wire rope
- Also works in smaller spaces
- Uses a permanent application for higher strength
Sliding Winches
Sliding winches give you the most flexibility. They work in conjunction with either C-Channel or Double-L winch track. These winches lock into their compatible winch track and slide anywhere you need along the track.
4" Standard Sliding C-Track Flatbed Winch
- Holds 50 ft. of excess webbing
- Slides in both directions for easy adjustment
- Locks under tension and stays in place
4" Low Profile Sliding C-Track Sliding Flatbed Winch
- Holds 15 ft. of excess webbing
- Works in smaller spaces
- Slides along C-Track for re-adjustment
4" Standard Sliding Double-L-Track Flatbed Winch
- Accommodates 20 ft. of excess webbing
- Slides along double L-track rails in both directions
- Locks in place under tension for security
4" Low Profile Sliding Double-L-Track Flatbed Winch
- Works in areas with little space
- Slides along double-L-track in either direction
- Stays in place when under tension
Lashing Winches
Lashing winches are compatible with 2" webbing and are designed for quick webbing release to speed up your operation. They are available in either right or left-hand mounting configurations.
2" Right-Handed Lashing Truck Tie Down Winch
- Holds 2" wide webbing
- Can hold up to 3 ft. of excess webbing
- Bolt-on or weld-on application - tightening on the right side
2" Left-Handed Lashing Truck Tie Down Winch
- Accommodates 2" wide webbing
- Holds up to 3 ft. of excess webbing
- Bolt-on or Weld-on application - tightening on the left side
Winch Straps
Winch straps fit perfectly into winches and make tying down cargo easy. These straps come in 2", 3", and 4" widths for your needs, along with a variety of different end fittings to choose from.
Learn more about winch straps, their components, and available varieties in our blog, The Anatomy of Tie Down Straps.
Winch Bars
Winch bars help you tighten winch straps. Made with safety and usability in mind, these bars insert easily into the device's end cap and create a lever to tension the strap with less effort.
We offer standard, combination, and Ergo 360 winch bars to choose from. Each bar is uniquely designed to fit your tie-down needs. Generally, the longer the bar, the more leverage you have and the less effort it takes to tighten.
- Learn more about the differences between our winch bars.
Winch Tracks
Sliding winches require a winch track mounted along your flatbed trailer to function. If you don't already have a railing system on your trailer, invest in one of our winch tracks to give your tie-down system the versatility that you desire.
The standard C-tracks come in 6 ft. lengths and are available in both steel and aluminum.
Double-L Winch Track is another track option commonly used.
If you have a track system, make sure the winches you choose are compatible with your exact track system. Double L-Winch Track won't work with a C-Track sliding winch and vice versa.
Other Products
Cordura® Wear Sleeves
If you plan on your straps enduring potentially harsh environments or usage, then add in Cordura® wear sleeves for protection. This high-strength fabric easily slips over the strap and protects the webbing from cuts and abrasions. Apply these protective wear sleeves before tying down the strap and slide the protection over vulnerable areas.
Strap Winder
Make rolling up excess webbing easy with our strap winder. This contraption easily attaches to the side rail of any flatbed trailer and holds your extra webbing nicely. Watch our video on how to use a strap winder to see it in action.
Ratcheting Winch Cap
Applicable to any bolt-on, weld-on, or sliding device, the ratcheting winch cap saves you time and energy when tightening down your load. This converts your device into a ratcheting winch by sliding it over the end cap and securely bolting it on. You will have your straps tightened in no time, with no need to remove the bar from the cap.
Why Choose Winches Over Other Tie Down Options?
Using winches to tie down cargo gives you peace of mind over other options. The devices provide better security and strength to tie down cargo and prevent any straps from releasing, as well as any cargo from moving or shifting during transit.
The metal devices also do not bend or break under pressure and can maintain extra webbing according to the size of the frame. Whether you prefer permanent placement or the freedom to adjust where the device should go, winches are a must-have for your flatbed trailer.
