Most electric winch is used for lifting or pulling heavy loads. It is usually mounted to a rigid base that is strong enough to hold the winch and the load. They are famous accessory to a truck and other off-road vehicles. It is used primarily for rescuing other vehicles trapped in mud or sand. There's also electric winch designed for marine application like the boat trailer winch. Like most winches it is used primarily to pull and load the boat onto the trailer. Other people do it manually using a manually operated winch but if you want you can use an electric winch that uses the cars battery to power it. Depending on the size of the boat they are available in different sizes. The rule of thumb in selecting the right winch is to get one with twice the weight of the load you intended to pull. This will ensure a smooth pulling and also prolongs the life of the winch. Since you are going to use them near the water or salt water, most marine trailer winch are made of either aluminum or stainless steel parts to withstand corrosion and rust. Most manufacturers use a steel body with powdered coated paint to reduce cost but other small parts are still made of aluminum or stainless steel. New released version of boat winches are now incorporated with built-in lamps and remote control so you can work at night with ease. Other feature includes a manual drive system so you can still use it just in case it breaks while in the middle of the loading process of if there's a problem with the electric circuit.

Installing it is very easy; if you can maintain your car and boat I'm sure you can also install it. When you purchase a brand new unit it usually includes the mounting bolts and brackets. Some models even include a template with markings of the holes you need to drill. Once you installed it you still need to connect it to the cars battery. The package also includes these wiring harness with terminal and screws; all you need to do is follow the wiring diagram also provided. There are also other types of winch use for marine applications like winch for retrieving the anchor and rope with attached load. These winches are smaller than the trailer winch but the principle and usage is also the same, to pull a load.

When selecting a perfect winch you should choose one with a reputable brand, remember that you are pulling a heavy load and one small accident can spell disaster. Plus you are loading your favorite boat; you don't want to damage it just because the cheap winch cable snaps. Choose the right capacity for your boat and don't use it if you are not sure it can handle it, in other words don't overload it. Other brands offers safety features like free spooling clutch, automatic brake and special gear system that prevent slippage. They may be a bit expensive but they are worth investing in the long run.