Winch Covers

[onetraveller]

How many of you use a winch cover and do you have any creative solutions to keeping your winch clean and protecting the synthetic lines from UV damage?

I am using the Superwinch neoprene cover on my Tiger Shark and it works fairly well. It does have a limited life span. My first one lasted about 18 months before exposure to the sun and elements did it in. I'm ok with considering it a sacrificial expense, but was wondering if there were other creative options out there.

Here's a picture of mine doing it's job, cause this thread will be worthless without pictures.

Mike

 

[Antichrist]

I've found that winch covers just seem to hold moisture under them.
I use wire rope, UV exposure isn't and issue.

 

[Airmapper]

I'm not thoroughly happy with my setup in this regard, I have my winch on my daily driver and it's partially hidden, so I cannot use a normal winch cover.

When I installed the thimble, I wrapped the synthetic line in tape where it was exposed, this may not hold up long term, but it's not difficult to re-apply and protects that little bit outside the bumper.

I also used a 30ft cordura sleeve. This is enough to cover the top wrap completely, and when I fix the line on the spool I make sure some bunches up behind the thimble in the fair-lead, none of my line is exposed to the sun, but it does get wet when I drive in the rain.

I have been thinking of trying to make a spool cover just to keep driving rain out of there, won't keep it perfectly dry but will keep it from getting soaked. I'm thinking some kind of bent up stainless sheet to just cover up the space over the spool, it's only function to keep water and the sun from having a clean shot at the area.

Something similar to this in function:

Here is what I'm working with, as you can see I can't exactly slip a normal cover over it, not enough room.

 

[LR Max]

UV damage on winch lines is not a problem. I've been running synthetic for 13 years. Un-covered. Its fine. Faded, but fine (and after you cover it in mud, it doesn't matter).

However after all of that time, running it over, binding it up, rubbing against rocks, breaking it, etc has destroyed the rope. So I think humans are the biggest threat to synthetic rope.

 

[I Leak Oil]

I use neoprene in winter to keep the road salt off it. Remove it when parked in the garage because covers will trap moisture.

 

[rayra]

How about a plastic shell that complements your bumper? Wouldn't be too hard to take measurements, make a wood buck and vac-mold one, if you are handy or know someone who is.


OR a custom sewn 500D cordura slip cover with a slip cord around the bottom to hold it in place