B09RUBI

i have been running mine in freespool for about 6 mos including cross country trips (1400mi one way) with no problems. I have my plate mounted on the fairlead along with a daystar isolator though so it pretty much holds the hook tight.

Seir

The only reason I left it like this was that even though it's called "free spool" it takes almost my entire body weight to get it to move. Not sure if that's normal or what but the line isn't going anywhere.

You do make a good point about a safety issue and based on the responses here, I'll un-wind and rewind the line under tension and then leave it attached to a ring and engaged

Thanks again to everyone for the help and tips!

dcharge74

Just checked my instructions.....page 1:

"-winch clutch should be disengaged when not in use and fully engaged when in use"

That being said, it states this in the safety precautions as to avoid unintentional starting. It doesn't seem like it's going to damage anything if you leave it engaged. I guess it's personal preference. Just don't have your hands near the fairlead when you plug the controller in. I keep mine on freespool and its never unrolled on me.

4WHLN

Same here.