Winch Bars

Winch Bars

A good winch bar is one of the most-used tools on a flatbed. It provides the leverage to tension and release winch straps, and many bars also handle lever chain binders. Fasteners Plus carries steel winch bars in standard and combination styles, with chrome or painted finishes and ergonomic Ergo 360 designs, plus strap winders and a ratcheting cap to go with them. Choose the length, finish, and end style that match your winches and the way you secure loads.

Standard Winch Bars

Standard winch bars are built for tensioning and releasing winch straps. The Standard Chrome Winch Bar is steel with a chrome finish, a 1.3" diameter, a 35.31" length, and a knurled handle for a firm grip in wet or greasy conditions. It is listed as compatible with most winch systems on flatbed trailers. The Standard Winch Bar with Painted Finish is 35.43" long with a slip-resistant mushroom-style tip that helps keep the bar in the winch hole, and a painted finish for rust and corrosion protection outdoors. A longer chrome standard bar is also available.

Combination Winch Bars

Combination bars handle two jobs, so one tool can tension winch straps and release lever chain binders. The Combination Winch Bar in Chrome has a large hollow end that fits over most standard lever binders, plus a tapered tip and mushroom-style end for winch use. The Combination Winch Bar with Square Head uses a square head that fits standard lever binders, with a tapered end for flatbed winches, in a 35.63" chrome bar. Longer square head versions are available in chrome and painted finishes.

Ergo 360 Winch Bars

Ergo 360 bars are designed to reduce strain on the driver. A bend in the bar keeps the handle and tip parallel, so the bar can rotate through a full 360 degrees and keep consistent leverage at better angles. Their pages describe the design as reducing back and neck strain while providing maximum torque. The Ergo 360 Standard Winch Bar is a 34" heat-treated steel bar with a mushroom tip. The Ergo 360 Combination Winch Bar and the Ergo 360 Combination Winch Bar with Square Head add a combination end for lever chain binders. The square head model is 38.25" long, with a curved shape that keeps it from rolling when set down and a high-visibility yellow finish.

Strap Winders and Ratcheting Cap

This collection also includes accessories that work alongside your bar: the Flatbed Strap Winder and 2-Handle Winch Strap Winder keep excess strap organized, and the Silvercap Overdrive Ratcheting Cap converts most winches to a ratcheting style. See Trailer Winch Accessories for more.

How to Choose the Right Winch Bar

• Standard or combination: A standard bar is for winch straps. A combination bar adds a hollow or square end for lever chain binders, so one tool covers both.
• Length: Longer bars provide more leverage. Bars here run from about 34" to over 38", so compare the length on each product page.
• Finish: Chrome offers corrosion resistance and a clean look. Painted bars protect against rust outdoors, and yellow painted Ergo 360 bars are easy to spot on the jobsite.
• Ergonomics: Ergo 360 bars are built to cut down on awkward, low-angle pulls and reduce strain over a full day of tie-downs.
• Tip style: Mushroom-style tips are designed to resist slipping out of the winch hole. Check that the bar suits the winches on your trailer.
• Handle: Knurled handles give a firmer grip in wet or greasy conditions.

Use winch bars and lever binders the way the manufacturer intends. Do not use extension handles or cheater bars with lever binders, and follow the winch, strap, and binder manufacturers' guidance. Consult a qualified professional if you have questions about your equipment.

Common Applications

• Flatbed trucks and flatbed trailers
• Tensioning and releasing winch straps
• Releasing lever chain binders
• Fleets and professional drivers who tie down loads every day
• Jobsite and field use in wet, greasy, or all-weather conditions

Winch Bar FAQs

What is a winch bar used for?

A winch bar gives you the leverage to tension and release winch straps on flatbed winches. Combination bars can also be used with lever chain binders.

What is the difference between a standard and a combination winch bar?

A standard bar is made for winch straps. A combination bar adds a hollow or square end that fits lever chain binders, so one bar can serve both purposes.

What does Ergo 360 mean?

Ergo 360 bars have a bend that keeps the handle and tip parallel, so the bar can rotate fully for leverage at better angles and less strain on the back and neck.

Will a winch bar fit my winch?

The standard and Ergo 360 bars here are listed as compatible with most flatbed trailer winch systems, but the pages name no specific models. Check your winch and the product page before ordering.

Where can I find more flatbed trailer products?

Browse Flatbed Trailer Products, Flatbed Winches, Winch Straps, Corner Protectors & Vee Boards, and Headache Racks & Trailer Tool Boxes.