Composite Fairlead??

[LOS-YJ]

Just ordered my Amsteel Blue, and needed a Fairlead for my M8000, wanted to know how the RBS fairlead are holding up? I did a search but just found info on it ,not any real info on how its held up to alot of abuse. So which way should I go Composite or Aluminum fairlead?? Thanks for the help

[bgreen]

All the composite fairleads I have seen (even the one I built) have substantial damage from what appears to be heavy up, down, or side pulls. The material compresses, and leaves a dent. They also deflect under moderate up and down loads allowing the rope to rub on most winch bumpers.

[rocksteadyrobk]

Go Aluminum.. JeepXtremes in Union makes a nice one for around $40.

[Malltero]

Go aluminum, I have composite and I am not impressed. I had to weld some angle iron above and below the fairlead to keep it from flexing. I wish I would have gone aluminum but I will run this for now.

[woody]

My composite has held up well, but it does flex...I enlarged the bumper opening behind it just in case it flexed into the metal. The bottom side of it is well scratched from rock rash as well...however, there are no sharp edges to abrade the rope.

My alum one ended up with a few sharp edges after some rock contact.

IMO, each has advantages and disadvantages....

[Krylon..]

Why not combine what Malltero and Woody have done. Open up the hole on your bummper behind the fairlead AND weld a piece above and below the fairlead to add strength?

I had an aluminum one for my warn that I got from Spidertrax... Worked well...

[Kreep]

How do the composite fairleads do in mud? I've got aluminum now and its fine in the dry, but after a heavy down pull at a mud pit I found chunks of pretty blue plastic stuck to the fairlead!

[Tass]

The first time I got to use my new rope and fairlead the Amsteel Blue sliced right through the plastic and got cut on the piece of angle used to support it Now I have a rope that's 25' shorter and a two piece fairlead.......
Go aluminum.

Tass

[MAD MAC]

how about i start making better composite fairleads out of say solid teflon or delrin. the ones u guys are buyin are made outta good old UHMW plastic oil impregnated material it will score pretty good delrin or nylon will not do that and it won't deflect so bad. how many should we start makin, and what colors. LOL

[LOS-YJ]

Well I was looking at the RBS fairlead, its not UHMW its lexin i think anybody have any experience with them. Also how is JeepExtremes in Union, how are there prices on setting up gears and lockers.

[bgreen]

Whats wrong with Aluminum?

[Kreep]

Originally Posted by bgreen

Whats wrong with Aluminum?

1) It chews up the rope if you play in the mud.

2) It gets burrs if you hit a rock.

[Kc J]

What do yo think about a synthetic line fairlead made from aluminum that has a composite insert ?

[sceep]

ding ding ding....
nail... head...hit.

[Kreep]

Originally Posted by Kc J

What do yo think about a synthetic line fairlead made from aluminum that has a composite insert ?

Will the insert hold up under heavy up/down loads?

Will it reduce damage to my synthetic rope in muddy conditions?

[Danger Doug]

Obvious question....how much $$$?

[YJ_OVER_SJ]

Details on the RBS fairlead: https://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...ead/index.html

you could try following up with billavista to see how it's held up in the last year.

[Kc J]

Originally Posted by Kreep

Will the insert hold up under heavy up/down loads?
Will it reduce damage to my synthetic rope in muddy conditions?

Had a local guy doing recovery test it out for me up at Cal Rocks in Tahoe , he tells me it worked good .
Still waiting for some pictures .

As far as mud , I don't know .

Originally Posted by Danger Doug

Obvious question....how much $$$?

The price depends on how many you buy .
I would like to find a vendor that is more into the selling part to sell them , I rather just make them .

Originally Posted by YJ_OVER_SJ

Details on the RBS fairlead: https://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billa...lead/index.html

you could try following up with billavista to see how it's held up in the last year.

Not the same .

[YJ_OVER_SJ]

Originally Posted by Kc J

Not the same .

I'm aware of that Kc. LOS-YJ originally requested some experienced feedback of the composite fairleads so I was just providing him one.

You have a pretty good idea there but I'd be worried about a few things like:
1. the composite center popping out of the aluminum fairlead under load or being pulled in to the winch drum,
2. temperature changes causing expansion/contraction of the aluminum causing #1.
3. replacement of the center in case of wearing or cracking or other unknown issues?
4. Cost $?$?

[Kc J]

The composite center is held in by screws and is replaceable .

[lentzOUTLAWZ4x4]

what a cool idea man i really like it !!! Good way to expand the box of thinking on the topic, aluminum last longer but composite is nice on durablity and can wear so lets combine them. Really dig it!!!!!!!!!

[another Lance]

thats nice! where can I get one from? and how much are the replacement composites?

[4x4Poet]

Originally Posted by Kc J

The composite center is held in by screws and is replaceable .

I will be buying an 8274-50 that has a fairly cool drum which emits much less heat than planetary winches. So while I wanted to go with synthetic rope, I didn't want to suffer through the fairlead issues. Now you've reinvigorated my desire to go syn rope....Bastard!!

Be sure to make a vendor thread when you've got those bad boys for sale somewhere. And thanks for doing what you do

Walt<><

[MC]

Thats an interesting idea~however arent you worried about the friction caused by the lack of radius on the composite material?

We also have a new lead coming out with a nickel empregnated teflon coating that is 35rc

[Danger Doug]

I think you missed the earlier links to the first pics.



Seems like enough radius to me.