Abstract: A friction winch assembly for securing automobiles or other heavy objects to a transporting vehicle includes a spindle rotatably mounted on the transporting vehicle, a ratchet gear axially mounted on said spindle, and an actuator cap for threaded engagement on said spindle. A chain or other flexible elongated member is connected at one of its ends to the spindle for winding or unwinding thereon, and at its other end to the automobile. To wind the chain and secure the vehicle, the actuator cap is rotated with a tool for longitudinal movement along the spindle toward the ratchet until longitudinal movement is limited by a collar affixed to the spindle. The actuator cap, ratchet and spindle eventually frictionally engage each other sufficiently so that they rotate synchronously with the spindle while the chain is wound, until the chain tension secures the automobile.