Looking for a light duty winch, suggestions........

[Rams]

Have been looking at ATV winches to mount on my box trailer to help raise and lower the ramp door.   That door weighs about 300 to 350 lbs.   Have been looking at ATV winches but they require a base area bigger than what I have available for where I want to mount it. It only needs about a 500 lb. line pull capacity. So far the lowest capacity winch I have found is 2K lb. capacity. That would be fine but it's mounting base requires more space than is available.

My toy hauler has a similar ramp but it has helper springs to assist in handling the weight.   

Suggestions welcomed and appreciated.   Does anyone even build such a small winch?  Looking to do this as in expensively as possible.

And, before anyone suggests a hand cranked winch, I have three and there isn't enough room to mount them or to turn the crank if it would mount.

Rams

[signart]

What about a boat winch?

[DenverDave]

WARN 910500 Drill Winch 500lb capacity

This might work for occasional use.

Does it need to be mounted?  Is there room to mount a D-ring or some other attachment point?

powered by an cordless drill

$136  on amazon

[cookiedough]

What about a boat winch?

something like this either crank by hand or use the motor.  looks pretty small and compact?


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078Y3CPKZ/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B078Y3CPKZ

[Rams]

What about a boat winch?

Have three different types, left hand, right hand and a top drive versions.   All three present mounting challenges I have yet to overcome. 

The winch needs to mount in the center of the door arch where there is only about 4 inches of metal (width) to mount to.    I'll take a picture and send it to you.    Would probably work just as well mounted on the side but there isn't as much room there.

Rams

[Rams]

Does it need to be mounted?  Is there room to mount a D-ring or some other attachment point?

Permanent mount is most desirable.   Since my motorcycle crash last September, I have limited use of my left arm.   So, raising a winch up that high every time I load or unload from the rear access would be a real challenge.  The same challenges present themselves if I install a hand winch or drill driven winch.  I simply can't get my left arm up that high and have significantly limited strength on that side now.  The D ring idea may be worth looking into.   Will think about that one.

Rams

[The emperor has no clothes]

This is maybe heavier duty than needed ?

[bassman]

Is it possible to mount the winch to the ceiling or roof of the box trailer - assuming a boat winch could/would handle the weather?

[Gavin_Sons]

https://www.harborfreight.com/2500-lbs-atvutility-electric-winch-with-wireless-remote-control-61840.html

Of course you should always check harbor freight first.  I have used one of these for several years to hoist deer up for butchering. My buddy has the bigger one mounted behind his bumper on his Cummins a bad used it to pull cut trees out of valleys a nd for when he gets stuck. He says he would use this one any day over a crap warn. Apparently he had had bad luck with warns

[MarkT]

Found this to be a useful GP winch.   Pullout is not under power however.  The crank handle removes - is for use when power not available. Was not real expensive.  Here it is at Amazon - $82.  https://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-Electric-Portable-2953AT/dp/B000COTKDM?SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-ffnt-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B000COTKDM

[Challenger]

There are also adjustable spring assists for most every trailer out there, I installed one on our delivery trailer that had a 6' x7' steel ramp, Don't even have to lean over to lift the ramp. I can flick it with my toe and it lifts by itself,

[Gryphon Rider]

Why not mount a pulley at your lift point, then mount the winch wherever you want, running the cable through the pully?

[Gryphon Rider]

One example of lift assist spring:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEKB9wPXw68

[Rams]

There are also adjustable spring assists for most every trailer out there, I installed one on our delivery trailer that had a 6' x7' steel ramp, Don't even have to lean over to lift the ramp. I can flick it with my toe and it lifts by itself,

This is what I really need but have not found one locally.

So, that’s why I am looking for the winch.
From what I am being told, a winch will be significantly cheaper.

Rams