Winch cover or no cover?

[Roughstock]

Hi there,

This seems like an endless debate. It would be nice to know how our Raptor community thinks about running with or without a winch cover.

Thanks. They definitely look better without the cover.

 

[JohnGalt]

I have one. For sun protection, I’ve seen too many sun bleached winches, but since I garage mine it’s not a huge issue for me. I read that prolonged sun exposure degrades strength of the synthetic fiber used for winch ropes, soft shackles, etc. to some degree.

Second is cleanliness. You should try to keep the synthetic rope as clean as possible, the cover keeps dust, road salt and grit, most mud, etc off the rope. So I don’t have to pull the rope and clean it as often.

But if you garage it and are willing to do a little more maintenance I’m not sure it’s a big deal either way. IMO

 

[Roughstock]

I have one. For sun protection, I’ve seen too many sun bleached winches, but since I garage mine it’s not a huge issue for me. Second is cleanliness. You should try to keep the synthetic rope as clean as possible, the cover keeps dust, road salt and grit, most mud, etc off the rope. So I don’t have to pull the rope and clean it as often.

But if you garage it and are willing to do a little more maintenance I’m not sure it’s a big deal one way or the other. IMO

Thanks John,

I feel about the same. I think I will have my cover off at events and such because it is nice to actually see the winch. Although, at off roading events that is where you are going to get dirt in there. Like you say if you don't mind doing a little maintenance you can have the best of both worlds. My current plan is to have it covered most of the time and uncovered when I feel like it.

 

[Bschurr]

I have one. For sun protection, I’ve seen too many sun bleached winches, but since I garage mine it’s not a huge issue for me. I read that prolonged sun exposure degrades strength of the synthetic fiber used for winch ropes, soft shackles, etc. to some degree.

Second is cleanliness. You should try to keep the synthetic rope as clean as possible, the cover keeps dust, road salt and grit, most mud, etc off the rope. So I don’t have to pull the rope and clean it as often.

But if you garage it and are willing to do a little more maintenance I’m not sure it’s a big deal either way. IMO

Yeah - that’s my story too. I try to leave mine covered unless actively using it (and even then, the Warn cover has a flap that allows use while the cover is on - although I wouldn’t do that for a prolonged period of time due to potential heat issues)

My wife refers to it as the winch condom.

 

[Roughstock]

Yeah - that’s my story too. I try to leave mine covered unless actively using it (and even then, the Warn cover has a flap that allows use while the cover is on - although I would do that for a prolonged period of time due to potential heat issues)

My wife refers to it as the winch condom.

Great.

I just ordered a Warn plastic rope cover. So if I don't have the cover on, then the rope will be covered. That seems like a good trade off.

 

[pk9394]

I have the WARN cover, and i cover it most of the time, only take it off before i go wheeling. it still look nice with the cover on as long as the cover is high quality.