I don't know how to do a poll so I'll just pose the question. Do you keep your winch covered or uncovered? I keep mine covered and (except for Moab dust) it stays completely clean and like new. It makes it easy to keep everything working perfectly and looking good. What about you?

 

you will probably get a variety of answers ahead. some people around here do use covers through the winter and open for the summer. there is a debate that although a cover keeps the winch clean it also holds moisture in. i personally run a cover in the winter when there is snow and salt on the roads.... but through the spring (rain season), summer, fall i leave my winch open to the air.

 

Covered. Use the neoprene Warn cover. I take it off periodically, especially when it's been in the rain, just to make sure everything dries out and then to treat the cover with 303 waterproofing.

With these NE winters and road salt, covered for sure!

 

covered; i have a synthetic line and i noticed it was fading from the sun. so i cover the winch primarily to protect the line from deteriorating any more.

 

Ooo

Now that sun comment is interesting being as i live in AZ. Does the synth. line degrade in direct sun much? I dont have a clue? Does cable? I dont really know...

Anyone have any real world experience or data?

 

Have never covered or garaged my two year old plus wrench and it doesn't show any signs of corrosion. I'm surprised by that. Being that it's a Warn PowerPlant, perhaps they use better construction than other types/brands.

 

oh my. YES, the synth line degrades in sunlight. it's got a lifespan that is shortened in sun (as little as 2 years). that's one of its downsides. if you live in AZ and run synthetic, YES, you NEED a cover. Steel isn't affected by the sun. not in our lifetime anyway.

 

well i live in the chicago area and the salt in the winter is brutal and i look at it as protecting my / your investment i also Use the neoprene Warn cover , it is breathable and keeps the sun off the synthitic winch line so yes cover it

 

Never covered my warn. No problems yet...

 

Left mine uncovered for one year and the solenoid remote plug corroded to the point where my winch must have run backward. It snarled up the cable pretty bad before the wires corroded past being able to carry electricity.

Next winter it gets covered.