Topic: Winch fairleads...roller vs hawse

[CTENG in KS]

When I mocked up the roller fairlead that came with my winch it just seemed to stick out too far...rock anchor like.  So I am considering getting a hawse fairlead made of UHMW from Sky Manufacturing.  Anyone have any comments on the two styles and has anybody ever had experience with the UMHW?  Thanks!

[KYOTA]

you running synthetic rope? you better be if you plan on the uhmw or aluminum hawse, and dont run synth. line thru a roller either. 

[CTENG in KS [OP]]

Sky's write-up says UHMW is OK for both cable and synthetic rope...this wrong?
Does anyone sell a reasonable priced hawse for cable?

[CTENG in KS [OP]]

OK, I am gonna try one of the UHMW deals.  They say its OK and hell, they are only $25 so if it ends up wearing out I can change to something different or switch to synthetic line.  I will let you know what happens.

[robinhood4x4]

Well, since not many people have replied, I'll give it a shot.  I don't have much experience with the fairleads, but my friend has one and I have one (but I'm still in the process of making my bumper).  He used steel cable and the plastic fairlead for 1 run.  He got stuck in a mud hole on fordyce and had to winch the front of his truck almost straight up to get out.  Doing that did wear a groove into the fairlead, but it's a pretty extreme case.  The groove isn't too big so it's not like it ruined it or anything.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the fairlead will tend to deflect up or down if you're doing an up or down pull so it's a good idea to weld a tab above and below the fairlead to prevent that.  Personally, I'd recommend synthetic line with the synthetic fairlead.

[KYOTA]

Sky's write-up says UHMW is OK for both cable and synthetic rope...this wrong?
Does anyone sell a reasonable priced hawse for cable?

wire rope is gonna eat that thing up. Just use a stock cast iron hawse

[CTENG in KS [OP]]

Who has one?  I have been looking around and all I can find are aluminum.  You got a name for a vendor I would be greatly appreciative!

[robinhood4x4]

I have the steel one from warn, brand new, never been used.  Sell it to you for $10 plus shipping.

[CTENG in KS [OP]]

DONE!
Hook me up with a PM for money!
Thanks!

[Bender]

$10!  Now that's a deal!  I just ordered the aluminum Hawse fairlead from Sky at lunch.  On the pirate board it says they're selling it for $35 shipped.  The price has changed and it's $35+shipping now, but for a couple of bucks extra you might as well go with Aluminum.  I found some ugly pictures of the UMHW ones earlier and that's why I went aluminum.

[robinhood4x4]

Got a link to the pictures of the ugly ones?  Were they using steel or synthetic line?

[Bender]

Got a link to the pictures of the ugly ones?  Were they using steel or synthetic line?

Here's the link: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=260638 and a couple pics for the click lazy.   

[CTENG in KS [OP]]

WOW, 1st pick looks like the friction heat melted it.  Guess I will stay away from those.

[robinhood4x4]

But they should still work even with a groove, I would think.  Anyway, if I don't like the plastic one I'll switch it out.

That last pic is what I was talking about with the deflection.

[Bender]

Yeah, two of those weren't supported properly when installed.  For me it was worth it to pay a couple more bucks to get aluminum and not have to worry about putting in tabs to support the thing.  Let us know how yours works out. 

[Yota4life]

What aluminum ones would you recomend? Or are they all pretty much the same?

[Bender]

I got the one from Sky, mainly because the price was right.  http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/accessories.htm.  I'm no where near an expert on fairleads.