4x4 Necessities – Hid Light And Winch Hawse Fairleads

By Author: Vikram Kumar
Total Articles: 9511
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Going off-roading is a pastime that many enjoy because it takes them away from the bustle and crowds of the city and into the wild, pitting man and his machine against the best terrain that nature has to offer. The demands of going off-road are heavy, however, as it really takes a toll on your vehicle and equipment, so you need to ensure that you are properly equipped and prepared before you go off-roading. This not only means having a vehicle that can handle the stresses of rough terrain, but also the right accessories such as a High Intensity Discharge or HID light system and the proper fairlead – either the winch hawse or roller fairlead.

Too many off-roading enthusiasts pay a great deal of attention to the obvious pieces of equipment and neglect the less obvious equipment that is just as important. Because the image of off-roading has long been associated with big cars and trucks with even bigger engines, these are the details that people often pay the most attention to. However, all the engine power in the world will not help you if you find yourself needing to use your winch but having installed the wrong fairlead ...
... or in the dark without the right lighting system.

HID Light System

HID is an acronym for High Intensity Discharge, which describes the technology used to make lights much brighter than regular lights. Since they were invented, HID lamps have become fairly commonplace in regular car headlamps and in outdoor applications where bright lighting is required. This is because these lights are able to output more light while maintaining the same size and power requirements.

A good HID lighting system is important when you go off-roading, particularly if you are attempting a long trip or intend to be out on the trail at night. As difficult as off-road trails can sometimes be to navigate during the day, it becomes even more difficult at night when you are unable to see properly due to the lack of light. Imagine trying to wrap your winch cable around a tree trunk, unable to see much more than the outline of it by the moonlight and your regular headlamps, only to find out that what you thought was a branch was not a branch at all but a venomous snake.

With a set of good HID spot lights, you will be able to properly illuminate the area where you need to work even in the darkest conditions. This will not only make the work that much easier, but also safer as well.

Winch Fairlead

Another important piece of equipment is the fairlead that guides the rope or cable as it spools onto or unspools from your winch. The type of fairlead that you use should be determined by the type of rope or cable that you use. If you use steel rope, then you should use a roller fairlead. But if you use a synthetic rope, then your fairlead should be an aluminium hawse. Roller fairleads cannot be used with synthetic rope as there is a possibility the rope will be pinched in the rollers at extreme winch angles.

Preparation

Proper preparation is absolutely vital to having a fun and successful off-roading trip, and this not only includes having the right vehicle and engine to get you where you want to go, but also the right equipment such as a HID light system and the right winch hawse fairlead.

winch hawse : From Hid Light systems to winch fairleads and much more, Sherpa 4x4 stocks a comprehensive range of winches, lights and accessories that will go a long way towards ensuring that you are not caught out in the open without the right equipment!