Winch Spool Cover a good idea? Anyone use this one before or have opinions on it?

[off-roader]

Haven't seen much about this so I'm assuming it's not necessary but figured I ought to ask...

http://www.roadlessgear.com/Jeep/p/1862/winch-rope-spool-cover

TIA

 

[Count Fred]

Necessary? No probably not. I went ahead and got one. Keeps the mud splatter off of the winch line, keeps them from quite so much UV. They say UV won't break down a lot of the newer synthetics, but it will cause it to fade.

Cheers,
JFS III

 

[off-roader]

Yeah, I was thinking mostly about protection from abrasive elements like dirt & mud. I've also heard about the fading so that's another good reason for it IMHO.

 

[1911]

My winch came with a cover; I don't use it all the time but it does keep bugs and road dirt off of the winch.

 

[HenryJ]

I made my own vinyl cover for the whole winch:

Shock cord through loops holds it down. Easy weekend sewing project. Seven years old and still going strong

 

[off-roader]

I have a traditional winch cover but it won't work because there's not enough room between the winch and the front of the rig (~.125" clearance).

 

[HenryJ]

I have a traditional winch cover but it won't work because there's not enough room between the winch and the front of the rig (~.125" clearance).

Could you modify it to work? Cut the back out? Maybe a couple industrial velcro tabs to hold the back corners?

 

[mjmcdowell]

HJ....... where did you get the water bag? I can't find one any where! mjmcdowell

 

[Eventhough]

Haven't seen much about this so I'm assuming it's not necessary but figured I ought to ask...

http://www.roadlessgear.com/Jeep/p/1862/winch-rope-spool-cover

TIA

Not absolutely positively necessary - but not a bad idea either. The biggest protection it will provide is from mud and dirt entering a synthetic winch line. I'd suggest peaking under it every so often to make sure it is not trapping anything that needs to be flushed out. Kinda like a Hi-Lift jack cover can trap mud and dirt if not inspected every so often.

 

[off-roader]

I agree. I'm thinking of making my own and using UV resistant vinyl on the upper 2/3's and window screen on the bottom portion to allow any water to drain out more easily. Of course this won't work for any deep mud I be driving through but it will be fine otherwise.

 

[Eventhough]

I agree. I'm thinking of making my own and using UV resistant vinyl on the upper 2/3's and window screen on the bottom portion to allow any water to drain out more easily. Of course this won't work for any deep mud I be driving through but it will be fine otherwise.

That's a good design and very similar to something I have been playing around with. I looked at canvas but it wasn't as UV stable as equivalently priced vinyl was. I just haven't picked out what type of mesh to use for the bottom. Tight mesh keeps some gritty mud out but also in where as larger mesh lets more in but also more out. I was leaning towards a tight mesh.

 

[off-roader]

I agree on going with a tight mesh. I think if you know you're going through mud or even muddy water, you should be removing the cover and rinsing it off as soon as you can to reduce exposure of the line to dirt. I may elect to simply go with screen door material sewn into the bottom portion.