winch fit issues on trailstar-tah16s trailer need advice

[BowriderLife]

I'm having trouble finding an electric winch that fits my 2021 Tahoe T16 with a Trailstar-Tracker BT-TAH16S trailer. The Dutton-Lainson TW4000 that I wanted is too large for the winch stand. Considering replacing the stand with a smaller model and possibly having some welding done. Does anyone else have any recommendations or experience with this?

 

[BowR1der]

Hey, a namesake, haha!
Even I was confused for a moment when I saw your post!
Anyway, man, I understand that can be a pain.
I've seen a few guys in similar situations go with a smaller, more compact winch like a Superwinch LT2000 or a Warn 1700.
Since they're generally less bulky, they might fit your existing stand with minimal mods.
If you do end up replacing the stand, look for one specifically designed for smaller boat trailers that have a narrower footprint.
As for welding, a good shop can definitely help you out if you need to adapt the mounting plate.
Try to find a winch that's close to a direct bolt-on first to save some hassle and cost.
Good luck!

 

[gameson.D]

Been down this same rabbit hole, swapping the stand might be your cleanest option, especially if you've got a welder who knows their way around trailers

 

[hydrohavochero25]

I encountered a similar problem during my last trailer build. The winch I was aiming for turned out to be too big, so I decided to replace the stand with a slimmer one. I had a local welder adjust the mounts for me. It required some extra effort, but now it fits perfectly and operates smoothly. Sometimes a little bit of customization works far better than trying to shove a square peg into a round hole.