Tips for loosening extremely tight straps on a winch?

I weigh about 120 lbs and I sometimes struggle to loosen straps on my winch using my winch bar. Sometimes the guys who load my flatbed trailers preparing them for me to take over the road think it's funny to get it super tight so the drivers have to really work to loosen them. Ideas?

 

That's a great idea for tightening down the winch. My problem is loosening the winch and being able to reach the clicker on the left side of the winch to make sure it doesn't lock back. The extended length of the winch bar gives me additional leverage but puts me too far away from the winch to lift up the clicker. I'm stumped.

 

That's a great idea for tightening down the winch. My problem is loosening the winch and being able to reach the clicker on the left side of the winch lift it once it's loose enough to make sure it doesn't lock back. The extended length of the winch bar gives me additional leverage but puts me too far away from the winch to lift up the clicker. I'm stumped.

 

That's a great idea! I going to try it.

 

Another great idea. I'm going to try it!