Cover that winch, or let the elements have their way with it?

[AmishMike]

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[G10]

The only time I cover mine is when going through the car wash!

 

[NVjeff]

I'd say it depends on where you park your Jeep.
Inside, out of the weather, probably no cover needed.

I put a no name cover on the winch on my JK when I spent two weeks in Portland with it parked on the street. I wanted to keep sticky fingers off of it.
Out of sight, out of mind.

 

[cybercat]

The winch line stays on the winch between uses? Oh wow, that will save some time.

 

[Idlethunder]

No cover for mine but it sits so low in the bumper putting one on would be tough

 

[fourfa]

With my Warn in the Mopar bumper, there’s nowhere that UV can hit the synthetic line. It’s all covered. So I don’t bother with a cover. I didn’t see the OP say what kind of bumper… but definitely don’t buy anything until after install and you can assess the potential for sun damage. I wouldn’t stress about ice or salt personally.

The business end though, that’s a different discussion. Plain hook ends leave a lot of line outside the bumper in the sun. Many Factor 55 style hooks conceal most or all of the line.

 

[JAsh1967]

@fourfa I'm going to have a MetalCloak frame-built bumper, essentially, this:

 

[Wild thang]

 

[Reddog]

Monday my winch (and bumper) are getting installed and I'm going to be picking up some of the accessories one might need for winching. Such as D-Ring shackles and a rope dampener, but I'm debating a winch cover. The winch is the Harbor Freight Badlands 12K w/synthetic rope and from what I'm reading it sounds like UV (IE, that big, bright yellow ball that's in the sky sometimes) is not friendly to synthetic lines. Further, I'm in Michigan, which means this time of year, plenty of snow which I'm sure given enough time will not be friendly to the winch or line.

So, considering we're talking a lousy $30 or so, cover it? What's your preference?

I've had more winches than I can remember over the years. I currently have a 12K Warn on my JT. I have a Warn winch cover but there is no way to install in with the JT steel bumper simply being too tight and close to the winch. Having said that, I have never covered a winch. I do not buy synthetic rope. I prefer steel cable but that's a debate for another day. I keep my winch cables sprayed with one of several oil-based products I have tried over the years and they all worked fine. Never had a problem. Because of the oil-based products collecting dirt I wash them off now and then and reapply the product just to keep them less messy. I no longer use a winch regularly but I have it if I need it. Have used Warn winches exclusively and they have never let me down. Unless it is damaged, most modern winches are pretty well protected from water intrusion so the use of a cover seems unnecessary under most normal conditions. Not sure I would feel the same way if using synthetic rope due to its limitations from prolonged sunlight exposure.

 

[Jacob]

@fourfa I'm going to have a MetalCloak frame-built bumper, essentially, this:

I am biased but the Metalcloak bumper is the best. Instructions say you have to drill out some holes however I would suggest trying to see if the bolts fit first because I ended up only needed to drill one of the holes.

 

[JAsh1967]

I am biased but the Metalcloak bumper is the best. Instructions say you have to drill out some holes however I would suggest trying to see if the bolts fit first because I ended up only needed to drill one of the holes.

When I was looking at bumpers, I wanted something that I liked the looks of, would let me keep the factory fog lights, and still be solid, and frankly, the MetalCloak just seemed like the best bet for the price.

As for the winch, I've got a shop doing the install and I'm going to trust their installer to do the job right (it's a little family-owned off-roader shop that's been in this county for a LONG time.) According to their website they've been around since 1990, so 34 years and counting.

 

[Jaxmax]

The UV on synthetic line was a major reason for mounting my winch inside the bumper, I went as far as to get the line protector from Factor 55 to protect the line at the attachment point from dirt and sunlight. There are a lot of winch attachment products that cover that little piece of line bent around the thimble at the end of the line ……Jack

 

[Jacob]

When I was looking at bumpers, I wanted something that I liked the looks of, would let me keep the factory fog lights, and still be solid, and frankly, the MetalCloak just seemed like the best bet for the price.

As for the winch, I've got a shop doing the install and I'm going to trust their installer to do the job right (it's a little family-owned off-roader shop that's been in this county for a LONG time.) According to their website they've been around since 1990, so 34 years and counting.

I had a very similar set of criteria when bumper shopping. Everything you said plus I also wanted the winch to be at least somewhat recessed in and I NEEDED a stinger of some type. It doesn't block the silly front camera either which is a bonus if I ever use the thing.

 

[firemedic2714]

I have the same UV concerns about my synthetic line-equipped Warn winch. I bought a $12 waterproof cover from Amazon. I've only been using it since this past June, but there is no fading and it's remained waterproof. If it ever fails, at $12, I'll just buy another one. I also have a Warn Epic Sidewinder instead of the OEM shackle that came with the winch. It covers the winch line loop on three sides similar to the way a Factor 55 Flatlink with a rope guard does. Here's a link to the winch cover I have.

Winch Cover Waterproof, Heavy Duty 600D Breathable Oxford Fabric Dust-Proof Winch Protection Cover, Compatible with Most 8500-17500 Lbs Electric Winches, Indoor/Outdoor - (21.5” x 9.5” x 7.5”) https://a.co/d/2ZHsk12

 

[mrmo]

I bought two different covers for the Badland 12k and they wouldnt fit. Is there one for that wide azz winch

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