Winches: update -- problem solved, thanks to you!
(Update -- see last entry in this thread.)
(I figured this has to be the right forum -- boondockers are the most likely to get stuck and need a winch, right? If not, Dear Moderator, please move this to the right place.)
So my winch is toast -- never mind why. Let's just call it operator error and leave it at that, in the interests of domestic harmony.
Here is the problem -- we have to use the winch to get the trailer up and down the driveway. We absolutely have to park it head-in against a wall, and there is no way to use the truck to get it there. So I anchor the winch with a short chain running to a heavy bolt, and the winch (which is mounted on a thick board resting on the ground) pulls the trailer up the driveway. Light trailer, short driveway, not too steep.
Usually, this is not a problem. But sometimes (like yesterday) the winch cable bunches up on one side. Yesterday it got so bunched up that the cable hopped out of the drum and jammed itself onto the axle, hopelessly wedged in place. No way to remove the plate covering the end of the drum. Un-fixable, as far as I can tell, and the rope is now very badly frayed.
So that is my first question -- how does one make sure that the cable spools evenly, back and forth across the drum, rather than getting bunched up? There is no way to move the cable by hand as it comes in. And the trailer is always off to one side as it comes up the driveway, forcing the cable over to that side of the drum. You'd think that the winch would pivot from side to side, in response to the sideways pressure of the cable, but it does not. The "fairlead" is no help, either. It does not guide the cable onto the drum, as far as I can see.
The second question is whether there is a better alternative than the steel cable that comes with the winch. The cable frays, and the wires cut right through my heavy duty gloves. I have read about synthetic cable -- is that a good idea, or is it just a gimmick?
Your advice will be greatly appreciated, as always.
(I figured this has to be the right forum -- boondockers are the most likely to get stuck and need a winch, right? If not, Dear Moderator, please move this to the right place.)
So my winch is toast -- never mind why. Let's just call it operator error and leave it at that, in the interests of domestic harmony.
Here is the problem -- we have to use the winch to get the trailer up and down the driveway. We absolutely have to park it head-in against a wall, and there is no way to use the truck to get it there. So I anchor the winch with a short chain running to a heavy bolt, and the winch (which is mounted on a thick board resting on the ground) pulls the trailer up the driveway. Light trailer, short driveway, not too steep.
Usually, this is not a problem. But sometimes (like yesterday) the winch cable bunches up on one side. Yesterday it got so bunched up that the cable hopped out of the drum and jammed itself onto the axle, hopelessly wedged in place. No way to remove the plate covering the end of the drum. Un-fixable, as far as I can tell, and the rope is now very badly frayed.
So that is my first question -- how does one make sure that the cable spools evenly, back and forth across the drum, rather than getting bunched up? There is no way to move the cable by hand as it comes in. And the trailer is always off to one side as it comes up the driveway, forcing the cable over to that side of the drum. You'd think that the winch would pivot from side to side, in response to the sideways pressure of the cable, but it does not. The "fairlead" is no help, either. It does not guide the cable onto the drum, as far as I can see.
The second question is whether there is a better alternative than the steel cable that comes with the winch. The cable frays, and the wires cut right through my heavy duty gloves. I have read about synthetic cable -- is that a good idea, or is it just a gimmick?
Your advice will be greatly appreciated, as always.
