Trucks & Trailers - Need Help for a Frozen Powerwinch

I have a Powerwinch for my 18 ft Crestliner and the cable/clutch won't unfreeze. It let's out about eight inches of cable and then nothing, thats of course with the clutch backed all the way off.Jiggling the boat with it's weight won't unfreeze it. I tried putting a crowbar through the eye snap and having two guys pull and still it won't come loose.

Any ideas....? Yes i keep soaking it with WD40.

Thanks in Advance.

If it is turning out at all it isn't locked up. Probably have buried cable under other cable and got it to tight. Hook a come along to it and pull it out. Or back the trailer up to something and tie a rope/strp to a tree and try driving away slowly.

If it is turning out at all it isn't locked up. Probably have buried cable under other cable and got it to tight. Hook a come along to it and pull it out. Or back the trailer up to something and tie a rope/strp to a tree and try driving away slowly.

Drap blankets or canvas over the cable, strap, chain when trying to pull it loose.
Then stand well off to the side.
If any of those or someting else snaps, it could be deadly.

Thanks !

If it is just the clutch it will still power out. Then retrive the boat with the clutch backed off and it should release. Have plenty of line attached to the bow if it releases with some enthusiasm. If it won't power out, then the other guys covered that scenario already.

I've used a PowerWinch daily for some years (and re-built more than a few clutches...). When they lock up like that the last thing you want to do is try to pull on the cable since that's not where things are locked up... (and as noted above, things can get dangerous...).

Where the clutch is, back it all the way off, then tap with a hammer on the end of the shaft (be careful not to hit the threads...) the brake knob is located on - that should loosen the washers enough to allow the spool to free wheel out.... If that doesn't work you're going to have to actually dis-assemble the clutch to free things up. If things are that bad you're also going to have to re-build the clutch and the good news is that PowerWinch sells a kit with all the appropriate washers you'll need. While you have it torn down (remove plastic covers first to gain access to everything) be certain to lube the ends of the spool that holds the cable - more than one "worn out" PowerWinch actually just badly needs lubrication on the spool shaft...

Here's how to avoid ever having that problem again with your winch. Although the folks at Power Winch tell every owner not to trailer with the clutch tightened - we all do it. When you get to where you're going to park your rig - loosen the clutch and it won't ever seize up on you again. Just make sure to tighten it before you trailer down the road.... Hope this helps and feel free to call me if you get stuck working on your rig. I've had to learn more about those winches than I ever wanted to...

Thanks Capt Bob. Your advice was right on the mark.