winch on boat trailer

[pdx_guy]

I am getting a new used drift boat this week. My driveway is uphill and very narrow (inches of clearance). Rather than trying to back it up the driveway w/ my truck, I was going to mount a hand winch behind the tongue, run the line to an anchor up the driveway, and hand winch the trailer/boat up the driveway.

Is there any problem w/ drilling a couple holes (3/8 ") in the trailer to mount the winch? I just see most trailer accessories mounted w/ a sandwich type mount.

Thanks
Andy

[lingslayer]

Why not mount a hitch/ball on the front bumper of the truck?
"Backing" the trailer up the driveway by driving the truck forward was a cinch.
Dad did this @ his RR house and it worked really slick.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Jamie

[pdx_guy]

The tight clearance is due to a 2 foot high concrete retaining wall on both sides of the driveway.

I can get my truck up and down the driveway, but it is literally 3 inches on each side. So it is tough enough just driving up and down. One of the main difficulties with such tight clearance is the visibility.

I am thinking that by winching and steering all from right by the tongue, I will be able to see the clearance, steer, and winch it up a litle bit at a time.

[Keta]

Pick up a cheep 110V winch from Harbor Freight and mount it at the top of your driveway. Use a nylon strap to atach the hook to your trailer.

[nobrownline]

Wait till winter then after you slide into it a couple times you should have plenty of room HaHa

[pdx_guy]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have thought about them all.

I still think that having the winch on the trailer will make it easier to steer, because I will not have to run back and forth between the trailer and the winch to make steering adjustments while winching (which I am envisioning if the winch is at the top of the driveway).

Maybe I should make my question more specific:
Will I hurt the trailer by drilling holes into it (on the main member say 1 foot behind the tongue). Seems like a dumb question when I think about it, but then I think maybe there is an abnormally high amount of stress in that area, heat treating, or something else that would make a simple solution a bad idea.

Thanks for all the input.
-Andy

[DucterJim]

You don't need to drill holes just use "U" boats just like the rest of the trailer is put together.

DucterJim

[Keta]

A 3/8"-1/2" hole or 4 won't hurt the trailer but if it's galvanized it will start to rust where the protection was compromised.

[Okie]

You may want to consider a two wheel dolly for the tongue of the trailer so you can guide the trailer by hand.

Depending on how steep the driveway is, you might be able to pull it up the drive way using a two wheel dolly. Specially if you had a pardner to help push.