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

[firemedic2714]

I measured mine before I researched it on Amazon, typed in the length when I was searching, and went from there. Mine is a little wider than the winch because I wanted it to fit loosely (above the elastic) to try and encourage drying any condensation. With my bumper, it fits pretty tight to the grill and I think the radiator heat helps with that, too.

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[KevinM60]

I keep mine covered on the road to keep out dirt and sun but even then things will get in under the cover through the fairlead. I cover the whole Gladiator while in the driveway during the week and started taking the winch cover off then to let anything dry that got wet at the car wash before the weekly storage.

 

[JAsh1967]

Anyone else get a bit anxious if you drop your Jeep off for someone to work on it, like swapping out the bumper and installing your winch?

 

[Hootbro]

I have been using a cheapie winch cover I bough on Amazon since I first installed it on my first Gladiator in 2019. Held up fine for close to 4 years before just recently replacing it with another one before winter. Covers my "ShittyBuilt" 12K winch just fine with no trapped moisture or corroding underneath it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MLVM5GC/

 

[pharmfrank]

Installed WARN winch a couple of years back, before winter I added a vinyl Warn winch cover, your
question is a good one. I think by their very nature winches expect to get wet, dirty etc and should
receive routine maintenance, synthetic line should be protected from Sun (UV) damage. At the
least they should last the life of the vehicle (be repairable) we hope. Expensive option to ignore.

 

[Geoarch]

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 park in the garage so I haven't worried about it. On my CJ-5 which was always parked outside I had a cover.

 

[JAsh1967]

Well, it *JUST* fits in the garage with the winch guard hoop. Without the hoop I'd have more room than I used to, so for now, winch cover is on hold.

 

[JAsh1967]

You know what, looking at just how MUCH of the winch line is exposed to the elements when mounted in a Metalcloak bumper?
I kinda think a cover might be unneeded...

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