Hawse vs. Roller Fairleads

[Greenway]

I have always seen hawse fairleads used with synthetic winch lines and roller fairleads used on wire rope.

Why?

[Trail_Fanatic]

Rollers help guide the wire without the wire damaging the fairlead, while a rope will get caught at the end of the rollers and be damaged/cut by it so they recommend a hawse for rope.

[gnjeepn]

You can use a steel or cast hawse fairlead with steel cable but it isn't recommended for synthetic rope. For synthetic you should use an aluminum fairlead. I have seen the poly roller conversions for using synthetic rope in a roller fairlead but not sure if they work real well. Seams the rope could still get hung up in the rollers. Probably wouldn't do any damage or do minimal damage to the rope.

[Greenway]

I was just getting ready to switch to synthetic and wondered If I should buy a hawse or plastic rollers. Looks like a hawse.

BTW, Kris' Splicing website says he doesn't do winch lines any more due to supplier issues and other reasons. Anyone else know of a good GLFWDA friendly supplier for synthetic line? I want 125' of orange 5/16 line.

[WhiteRhino]

Opie on gl4x4.

[Greenway]

One and the same, Jim.

[WhiteRhino]

Oh, didn't know that. My best suggestion is Dale at Ironman or Kevin Jeeperz Creeperz. Both excellent supporters of GLFWDA.

[fishyOO7]

That is an interesting question. Because if you look at Warn's ATV winch line, they offer a synthetic rope with a steel roller fairlead... I like the idea of the aluminum hawse because of the weight savings.
I have used them all, really don't notice a difference in performance.

[fsumotorhead]

What about the "plastic" hawse, are those any good?

It may not even be an issue, but i always wondered about the aluminum ones if they get damaged, seems they gould get gouged up on rocks pretty easy. I'm sure if it was damaged, it could be smoothed back out pretty easily, but sharp edges would eat up a rope pretty quick.

[phittie1100]

I don't know about the plastic ones, but the aluminum hawse fairleads are fairly easy to polish and smooth out any rough spots.