Boat Trailer Winch Power

[Michael Kelly]

2023 R1T: I tow a large boat trailer & recently installed a power winch to retrieve the boat with ease. It's designed to run by hooking up to a battery (w/included cables) but my portable jumper/compressor unit doesn't deliver enough power. I'd like to avoid having a dedicated battery to make sure is charged & also make sure is available when pulling the boat. With our "electric" vehicles & an available A/C outlet, wondering if there's a slick way to deal with this, any ideas appreciated.

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[Time2Roll]

How many amps are needed. My first thought is an RV converter. Can be 35 to 75 amps as needed.

https://powermaxconverters.com/product/pm3-12v-series/

Not waterproof

 

[LivingInKaos]

I power my receiver winch with a power pack. 3 - 100ah batteries in parallel with an 80a charger in the box that keeps it topped by the 110v. Could easily do a single battery version.

 

[SwampNut]

The trailer plug can supply 30 amps. I seriously doubt a little winch would use that much. It easily runs the jack lift on my RV.

 

[babock]

The trailer plug can supply 30 amps. I seriously doubt a little winch would use that much. It easily runs the jack lift on my RV.

I could have sworn I read somewhere that it can on

The trailer plug can supply 30 amps. I seriously doubt a little winch would use that much. It easily runs the jack lift on my RV.

How did you determine it is 30A? Everything I have read it is 10A. I have read my 2025 manual and it does not list that circuit's capacity.

 

[Time2Roll]

Looks like fuse F19 is trailer B+ located on the driver side.
Maybe pull the fuse and note the rating.

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/interior-passenger-side-fuse-box.8397/post-294568

 

[Michael Kelly]

Winch data says "60 amp standard wiring harness", looks like the converter an option. My portable unit (that doesn't work for the winch) says 100A but I'm not sold on how they are terming that vs. what is being delivered. A standard battery hooked up drives the winch so just need to decide if I"m going to have a charged battery available or I guess the inverter.

 

[Michael Kelly]

Just saw the fuse F19 post, I'll check that out. Thx

 

[babock]

Looks like fuse F19 is trailer B+ located on the driver side.
Maybe pull the fuse and note the rating.

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/interior-passenger-side-fuse-box.8397/post-294568

My understanding is that Gen 2 doesn't use actual fuses.

 

[Zoul]

The "slickest" way is the way trailer manufacturers would do this. Have a 12v battery onboard the trailer and charge it via the 7pin connector. That is slickest as in looks oem.

They do make 120v winches, which would be next slickest I guess. But sounds like you already have the winch. I also don't like the idea of a 120v cable in water, but have seen many people do this. They make winches like this designed for boat trailers, but the one my grandpa has doesn't work with the 120v in his suburban.

You might be able to rig up a harness for use with a Milwaukee M18 or equivalent, but note that they are amperage limited.

If you will have other uses for a power Bank then the wiring could be be tucked to look factory ish. But if this is your only use I'd try the first way.

If you want it to be cheap. Menards, and rural king, and many other farm/home improvement supplies stores sell 12v batteries for less the $100. And if it only draws 60a max you may be able to get away with a lawn tractor battery, which is even cheaper. They all sell battery boxes and most sell the trailer side 7pin harness. I could probably even walk you through how to wire it without cutting into any existing harness on the trailer. This Also gives you the option to add on auxiliary loading lights and electric jacks if that would be helpful for you. I don't think any of this would be more complicated than rigging up and inverter from the 120v, or a bed mounted battery power bank.

 

[csharp]

My vote would be to make it on the trailer and not dependent on the tow vehicle. My boat trailer has an onboard battery that is charged via the 7pin. It also operates the emergency brakes in case of a breakaway. But the trailer winch is powered by the trailer battery. I even installed a small solar panel on top of the battery box to make sure it stays topped off while sitting.

 

[2kwik4u]

My vote would be to make it on the trailer and not dependent on the tow vehicle. My boat trailer has an onboard battery that is charged via the 7pin. It also operates the emergency brakes in case of a breakaway. But the trailer winch is powered by the trailer battery. I even installed a small solar panel on top of the battery box to make sure it stays topped off while sitting.

I think this is the cleanest and easiest. Also the most vehicle agnostic so when you tow with something else it works there too.

 

[Time2Roll]

My understanding is that Gen 2 doesn't use actual fuses.

Interesting. Either way I would not connect a winch that needed 60 amps to the trailer charge circuit.

 

[SwampNut]

How did you determine it is 30A?

That’s industry standard, and then I used an AI tool to find sources showing it. Then tested it and saw 25-ish amps charging the trailer battery. Moot point if the winch does use 60a.

My boat trailer has an onboard battery that is charged via the 7pin. It also operates the emergency brakes in case of a breakaway.

EoH brakes are rare and expensive. OP likely has surge brakes and no battery.

 

[NY_Rob]

You can get a decent 100Ah Li-Ion battery for just over $100 that will work well and not loose a charge between uses. I used the exact battery I linked above for two boating seasons now as the starting/cranking battery for our 6-cylinder outboard and it has performed flawlessly since day one. Will Prowse also tested and tore down this exact battery on his YT channel and was fairly impressed by the test results and the build quality. IMO, it would make a great light weight and powerful battery for your winch.

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