Winches for Flatbed Trailers

While a winch is a common term in the trucking industry, truck winches are still most often thought of as equipment designed for hoisting or hauling 4x4 trucks and sport utility vehicles while off-roading. Winches for flatbed trailers are different as they are designed for securing cargo straps to a flatbed trailer.

We’ve outlined the most common types of flatbed trailer winches. Generally, tractor trailer winches are right hand styles; left hand models are less common but are often available by request. Trucking winches are also classified as either side mount or bottom mount.

The different types of winches for tractor trailers include:

Weld-on Winches

Designed for permanent placement, excellent for strength and security and quick use.

Sliding Winches

Intended for use with winch track. Allows the operator to slide the winch to any spot along the track, then locks in place when tension is applied. Great for more precise strap placement that’s faster than removing and reattaching portable winches.

Portable Winches

Designed with two screws attached so you can place the winch just where you need it along the trailer side channel to offer exact strap placement where you want it.

Combination Winches

Can be used with either webbing winch straps or wire cable. Available in a sliding or weld on style.

Low Profile Winches

Available as a sliding, portable or weld-on style, the low profile design reduces the risk of winch bar rollover, for an added measure of safety. It can also reduce tensioning time.

Lashing Winches

Can be either welded or bolted in place, or with a winch track, and offers the easy operation and fast release of a ratchet. A lashing winch is a smaller style than winches that accept 4" webbing; this style is generally for use 2" webbing.

Stake Pocket Winches

Turns standard stake pockets into instant anchor points for winch straps. Install easily without tools and can be removed when not in use. The popular Porta Winch is also a popular choice, as it's available in both a standard outward off-set option and an inward off-set option to allow for track-mounted tarp clearance.

Ratcheting Cap

A simple cap that can be placed over any traditional winch to convert it to a ratcheting winch so it’s faster, easier, and safer to tension a strap. Our SilverCap® OverDrive™ ratcheting cap includes all parts. Shop our full selection of winches and related equipment: