Winch Cover (Apex Badland)?

[rcadden]

I realize that part of the reason I bought the Apex Badland winch is because it gets great reviews from owners and has a high IP rating.

HOWEVER, it's also a machine with moving parts and electronics that sits in the front of my Jeep and thus takes all sorts of weather beating on it. I'd like it to last and so I'd like to get a cover of some sort, just for the daily driving where I don't necessarily need quick/immediate access to the winch. No reason to subject it to additional weathering and elements unnecessarily.

There are a bajillion of these type covers on Amazon, around the ~$30 mark. Is there any specific one that others have used that fit nicely, held up, etc, or do I just flip a coin?

Also, is there any reason to NOT have a cover on my winch?

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[Stuckinthesand]

I don't cover my Badlands ZXR. I don't want the moisture sitting in there all the time. What I personally did was sprayed each connection with spray on electrical tape. I even opened up the control box and sprayed the connections in there as well. This has served me well for 4 years.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gardner-Bender-Black-Spray-Liquid-Tape-6-oz-LTS-400/202906380

 

[Fatboy97]

Warn cover works.

 

[jhackathorne]

Any of the Amazon covers will do just fine for the most part. If you have a synthetic line, coverage from the UV is what’s most important. That’ll help your line last longer and also give some protection from the elements.

 

[dchemphill1]

Mine sits up high on my plastic bumper plate ..a cover would inhibit air flow...not been a problem so far to leave it open.....just pulled the steel cable and switched to synthetic....I know UV light will degrade it....but it can be replaced if needed.

 

[jhackathorne]

Mine sits up high on my plastic bumper plate ..a cover would inhibit air flow...not been a problem so far to leave it open.....just pulled the steel cable and switched to synthetic....I know UV light will degrade it....but it can be replaced if needed.

If AEV can cover nearly all of the front grill with lights, winch, bumper hoop etc and have no issues, I think a simple winch cover would be just fine.

 

[Old Jeeper]

I realize that part of the reason I bought the Apex Badland winch is because it gets great reviews from owners and has a high IP rating.

HOWEVER, it's also a machine with moving parts and electronics that sits in the front of my Jeep and thus takes all sorts of weather beating on it. I'd like it to last and so I'd like to get a cover of some sort, just for the daily driving where I don't necessarily need quick/immediate access to the winch. No reason to subject it to additional weathering and elements unnecessarily.

There are a bajillion of these type covers on Amazon, around the ~$30 mark. Is there any specific one that others have used that fit nicely, held up, etc, or do I just flip a coin?

Also, is there any reason to NOT have a cover on my winch?

I have 3 winches on 3 vehicles, they are ALL Warn. Warn is all I run.

To answer your question: YES there a reason to NOT have a cover. See PIC BELOW.

Warn works underwater, ask me how I know!

WATER is a very corrosive fluid and if you look below I am winching underwater and did 2 full pulls to get the guys Jeep out of the river. How about when I finish I take my WeBe Wench Covers, Chinese Take out and Stomach Pump Room and wrap it around my soaked winch, wonder if will protect it...it will gonna keep that thing wet till you take off again.

Better still put 2 covers on, that way you be sure that the winch will NEVER dry out. That way the next time you go to use it its gonna be Mr Sparky and make sure you have a WORKING Fire Extinguisher on board.

As I have always said: Your Jeep, Your Winch, Your Wallet, you do as you please and I stand with you....

 

[rcadden]

I have 3 winches on 3 vehicles, they are ALL Warn. Warn is all I run.

To answer your question: YES there a reason to NOT have a cover. See PIC BELOW.

Warn works underwater, ask me how I know!

WATER is a very corrosive fluid and if you look below I am winching underwater and did 2 full pulls to get the guys Jeep out of the river. How about when I finish I take my WeBe Wench Covers, Chinese Take out and Stomach Pump Room and wrap it around my soaked winch, wonder if will protect it...it will gonna keep that thing wet till you take off again.

Better still put 2 covers on, that way you be sure that the winch will NEVER dry out. That way the next time you go to use it its gonna be Mr Sparky and make sure you have a WORKING Fire Extinguisher on board.

As I have always said: Your Jeep, Your Winch, Your Wallet, you do as you please and I stand with you....

Man, thanks for not reading my post at all.

I know that water is a very corrosive fluid - henc, I'm trying to avoid it *unnecessarily* coming into contact with my winch. So when I'm NOT using the winch and am driving around town, down the freeway, etc, using a cover to ensure that any rain or debris hits the cover and runs down AWAY from the winch, keeping that corrosive water and debris away from the winch.

Of course I'm not going to try to winch with the cover on, nor would I douse the winch with a garden hose and then strap a cover onto it.

 

[Old Jeeper]

Man, thanks for not reading my post at all.

I know that water is a very corrosive fluid - henc, I'm trying to avoid it *unnecessarily* coming into contact with my winch. So when I'm NOT using the winch and am driving around town, down the freeway, etc, using a cover to ensure that any rain or debris hits the cover and runs down AWAY from the winch, keeping that corrosive water and debris away from the winch.

Of course I'm not going to try to winch with the cover on, nor would I douse the winch with a garden hose and then strap a cover onto it.

I read again and again. So what did I NOT read? I answered your question...

Did you NOT read this: As I have always said: Your Jeep, Your Winch, Your Wallet, you do as you please and I stand with you....

 

[Omen]

Warn cover works.

Mind sharing if it's the Zeon or Evo cover? Appears to be the Evo cover, but you would know better.

Thanks!

Omen

 

[Fatboy97]

Mind sharing if it's the Zeon or Evo cover? Appears to be the Evo cover, but you would know better.

Thanks!

Omen

I think it’s the one for the zeon winches. The larger size.

 

[entropy]

Any of the Amazon covers will do just fine for the most part. If you have a synthetic line, coverage from the UV is what’s most important. That’ll help your line last longer and also give some protection from the elements.

UV damage is not the real enemy of synthetic lines. It is dirt. It will take a very long time for a synthetic line to become a liability due to UV damage... if you reach that point, you should have replaced your line years before as it is way past its recommended useful life. Dirt however can eat through your line and require you to buy a new one sooner.

I am team don't cover your winch. But definitely inspect your winch line regularly and wash if needed.

I've had my winch uncovered for 3 years and both winch and line look and behave like new. There is no indication of UV damage to the line whatsoever.

I also think it is fine to cover your winch if you'd like. Just make sure you get a good cover and always check for water or condensation that might get trapped in there. I'd also remove the cover and let it get some fresh air regularly. I personally don't bother covering mine.

 

[Old Jeeper]

UV damage is not the real enemy of synthetic lines. It is dirt. It will take a very long time for a synthetic line to become a liability due to UV damage... if you reach that point, you should have replaced your line years before as it is way past its recommended useful life. Dirt however can eat through your line and require you to buy a new one sooner.

I am team don't cover your winch. But definitely inspect your winch line regularly and wash if needed.

I've had my winch uncovered for 3 years and both winch and line look and behave like new. There is no indication of UV damage to the line whatsoever.

I also think it is fine to cover your winch if you'd like. Just make sure you get a good cover and always check for water or condensation that might get trapped in there. I'd also remove the cover and let it get some fresh air regularly. I personally don't bother covering mine.

My syn line is 20 years old and it is sheathed so as to prevent UV issues, https://www.masterpull.com/ is the one who makes it. I started out with I think about 120 ft and I have made so many extracts with it that it's not 80-something foot long. I send it back to Masterpull for inspection and repair every year and they have never charged me a dime for it. NOT cheap by. 20 years of HD use its paid for itself many many times over.

 

[BullMoose1776]

Warn cover works.

I have this same cover, on a Warn EVO winch. It's got straps underneath that hold it on so it doesn't blow away when going down the highway.

It also keeps me from getting nervous going through a carwash.

EDIT: I don't winch underwater, so I keep it covered so that water from the air (like...rain, or carwash!) Doesn't get in there. If you use your winch underwater, let it dry out first.

Also, I thought i was super cool after I bought a winch and my buddy asked about my recovery gear...and I realized I only had half of what I needed to get out of a bind. Get some recovery gear if you don't have any.

Not certain there is a different cover for the EVO and the ZEON. They have a VERY close profile and this cover is not a precise fit.

 

[entropy]

My syn line is 20 years old and it is sheathed so as to prevent UV issues, https://www.masterpull.com/ is the one who makes it. I started out with I think about 120 ft and I have made so many extracts with it that it's not 80-something foot long. I send it back to Masterpull for inspection and repair every year and they have never charged me a dime for it. NOT cheap by. 20 years of HD use its paid for itself many many times over.

20 years is a long time for sure lol.

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