As one of the key components of an electric winch, the fairlead plays an essential role in the operation of this recovery essential. The fairlead guides the line, rope or cable onto the drum, and whilst a seemingly small aspect of the wider mechanism, its use and maintenance is crucial to recovery success.
There are two fairlead designs you should be aware of when choosing a winch for your 4×4 – roller and hawse. But, what’s the difference between them, and how do you choose the right fairlead type for your vehicle and the application? In this blog post, we answer these all-important questions so you can select the fairlead that works for you and go on to winch with complete confidence.
The roller fairlead
As the name suggests, a roller fairlead uses a system of rollers, which are mounted both horizontally and vertically, to guide the winch rope to exactly where it needs to be. Roller fairleads have been the go-to for some time, and as a result, come as standard across many winches. They’re well known for their smooth operation, and offer a reliable result for 4×4 and pickup truck owners looking to extract their vehicles from sticky situations.
It is important to note that roller fairleads should NEVER be used with synthetic ropes. Instead a steel winch rope or cable should be utilised.
The flexible nature of the synthetic rope makes it more vulnerable to abrasion, premature wear and subsequent failure. While the rollers used in this fairlead design are smooth, there’s also a higher chance of synthetic lines getting pinched and stuck in the rollers.
The hawse fairlead
Unlike the roller fairlead, the hawse design uses no moving parts to guide the winch line onto the drum. This rollerless, machined component features an ultra-smooth surface to offer accurate guidance and greater protection for synthetic lines during spooling.
With this in mind, there are several benefits to unlock when using a hawse fairlead with a synthetic rope as Heavy Duty Guide details:
“Hawse fairlead significantly reduces the friction and aggression of synthetic ropes resulting in lower noise & lessened wear & increased service life. They help achieve high operational efficiency by minimising drag, increasing speeds, and easing maintenance costs. It has good durability as well as excellent abrasion resistance properties. Compared to traditional rollers, it reduces rope twists by 30%.”
When compared with roller fairleads, hawse fairleads are also known for their minimal maintenance and reduced risk of failure.
Deciding between the two
Whether a roller or hawse fairlead is right for you really comes down to your chosen winch rope. Roller fairleads should be used with steel cables, while hawse designs are better suited to synthetic ropes. If you’re yet to choose your winch rope, each fairlead type offers its own pros and cons.
With fewer moving parts, the hawse fairlead provides an easy to use and simple to maintain option. Hawse fairleads are also lighter in weight, with their slimline designs delivering a touch more clearance for driving off-road.
Explore your options by shopping our selection of winch fairleads today.
