Do I need a winch cover?

freedom_in_4low said:
I formed a cover out of kydex that only covers the rope and drum section, leaving the motor housing and gearbox exposed. It's really more just a rain and sun shield since there's enough opening that there's no way it could trap water and keep it from drying out.
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I did the same thing using light gauge steel, painted to (almost) match the winch. I've had it on for a couple of years and it has held up quite well. Keeps sunlight off the synthetic line and doesn't trap moisture. I haven't had any issues with fading on the parts that are uncovered.

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Neal said:
I did the same thing using light gauge steel, painted to (almost) match the winch. I've had it on for a couple of years and it has held up quite well. Keeps sunlight off the synthetic line and doesn't trap moisture. I haven't had any issues with fading on the parts that are uncovered.

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Man that looks sharp. Good job!
 
I have always had covers on my winches. the best to date is the bartact cover. This one is two years old in the picture and zero fading

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No cover on mine. The synthetic rope is at least 6 years old and seems to be doing fine.
 
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jjvw said:
No cover on mine. The synthetic rope is at least 6 years old and seems to be doing fine.
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I read over and over how sensitive the synthetic rope is to UV damage.
Is there any real proof of the UV rays causing damage beyond the colour fading? I can’t see it be too sensitive when it is widely used in the marine industry and can’t imagine a harsher environment.
 
Vinman said:
I read over and over how sensitive the synthetic rope is to UV damage.
Is there any real proof of the UV rays causing damage beyond the colour fading? I can’t see it be too sensitive when it is widely used in the marine industry and can’t imagine a harsher environment.
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The stuff sits on docks and the decks of ships for years without anyone worrying about the sun.
 
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Neal said:
I did the same thing using light gauge steel, painted to (almost) match the winch. I've had it on for a couple of years and it has held up quite well. Keeps sunlight off the synthetic line and doesn't trap moisture. I haven't had any issues with fading on the parts that are uncovered.

View attachment 191593
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Do you remove that cover when you use the winch?
 
I use one when I go wheeling to keep the mud off it. Makes cleaning it easier. Otherwise the Jeep is is my garage or driven on nice sunny days showing off the bumper jewelry
 
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I've been running a breathable canvas style cover in the PNW for the last 3 plus years and will pick up a new one soon as it's ready.
 
jjvw said:
No cover on mine. The synthetic rope is at least 6 years old and seems to be doing fine.
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I'm not worried about the rope. I'm worried about water getting into the winch internals and rusting it out in the winter time. Am I worrying unnecessarily here 🤔?
 
psrivats said:
I'm not worried about the rope. I'm worried about water getting into the winch internals and rusting it out in the winter time. Am I worrying unnecessarily here 🤔?
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Mine has been daily driven and fully exposed for 7 years. And the winch itself is quite a bit older than that, living inside the bumper of a late 90s Land Rover. So far, so all I've done for repairs is rebuild the plug to the solenoids. A cover would have made no difference. I used it as recently as a month or two ago when I broke the axle shaft.
 
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I had a neoprene cover on my Ramsey winch. The cover lasted about a year before it started to deteriorating and fell apart. I like Jerry's idea of a canvas cover.
 
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