I recently went with hawse for looks -- winchdepot.com was happy to sell me a winch with steel cable and a hawse fairlead, so hopefully I'm not going to get into trouble that way.

Worst case, if the cable starts to look bad, I'll replace with synthetic and an aluminum fairlead anyway.

 

hawse because it sticks out less and I am running synthetic line.

 

What he said...!!!

 

Rollers are huge and heavy. They tend to be the first thing that hits, limiting approach angle....and getting thrashed.

here is one on my old Sammi:



They weigh about 12 lbs vs. less than 1 lb. for the alum hawse.

plus the alum one are bling.








For Steel cable I would still run a roller though. A steel hawse is hard on the steel cable.


.

 

I like that red line and black winch setup..on your last pic.. Who makes that??

 

It's a Ramsey 9500 w/ Synthetic Line (a pkg offered by Ramsey). The winch is actually dark gray.

 

Thanks.. couldn't tell in the Photo, looks good up there.. Have to put mine on top of my bumper, and am looking for low profile..

 

I was told wrong, thank you for the info. on the aluminum. I was thinking of replacing the steel cable on my pick ups winch with syn line. It has a steel fairlead. That could have caused me some problems.

 

yes, it would have. steel fairleads have a rough texture to them and tear up synthetic line. Although synthetic line is as "strong/stronger" than steel it still has the abrasion resistance of "rope" and you should protect it from that.

thats why you run chaff guards like the black ones on here:

Just go to any decent outdoor/climbing place and get 1" tubular nylon in 3-4' lengths and slip it over the line before you put it on the winch. And when you see that the line is going to rub against stuff you slide the guard there to take the abuse.

I also carry 2' lengths of old 3" fire hose and carpet remnant squares for the same thing.
The carpet squares also kick ass because not only do they work as a chaff guard but it gives you a dry place to sit on while working on repairs

 

And this my friends, is why I like this site. I learn something every day. Thanks guys.!!!