What a Winch Cable Stop Does
A hook stopper can keeps your winch line and fairlead from getting wrecked when you over-reel your winch.
If you don’t know why you should use a winch cable stop, here it is:
- You don’t have to worry about someone over-reeling your winch line.
- It’ll keep your hook from gouging your fairlead or tearing up your winch rope.
- It’s super cheap.
- Keeps your winch hook quiet.
A cable stop slips right on your winch line behind your winch hook.
So which winch hook stopper should you choose?
Read on.
1 Piece Rubber Hook Stopper – CHEAP
This is a super simple design that does the job. It also usually tends to be the cheapest, since it’s one piece.
You need to either cut your winch cable to put it on (terrible idea!) or pull your winch cable completely off your winch and thread it through the stopper.
We highly recommend not cutting your winch cable just to install your winch hook stopper. Even if you manage to correctly install cable clamps in the correct orientation, your winch line “splice” will be bulkier and longer than the factory cable crimp.
These are usually less expensive, but maybe not worth the savings.
What we like:
- It does the job
- Cheap
- Simple
What we don’t like:
- Difficult installation
- Cable hole is often oversized for small winch lines
- Winch cable and hook sticks straight out
2 Piece Round Rubber Hook Stopper – EASY INSTALL
This is basically just like the one piece design, except they are easy to install . It comes in a 2 piece, bolt-together clamshell design. Most kits include stainless steel hardware. If you’re perusing around, we prefer the winch hook stops with 4 bolts rather than 2.
Manufacturers usually offer these in at least two sizes. That means that you can get a cable stopper for your light weight UTV winch or for a 12,000 lb. 4×4 winch without either one looking to goofy.
If you like the round stopper style, we definitely recommend the 2 piece over the 1 piece.
What we like:
- Easy to install
- It does the job
- Cheap
- Simple
What we don’t like:
- Winch cable and hook sticks straight out
Integrated Cable Hook Stoppers – A SAFER WINCH HOOK
You’ll notice that it doesn’t actually have a hook end – it’s made to link up to a shackle. In 4×4 recovery, you’re always linking up to a shackle anyway.
The USA-Made hook from Factor 55 is aluminum and rated up to 16,000 lbs. with a 5/8″ pin. The pin is retained with circlips, so you’ll need to use circlip pliers to remove the circlip and slide the pin out – no cutting your winch line.
The Smittybilt hook is cheaper, but also much bulkier and made in China.
The Factor 55 is relatively low profile, but the Smittybilt sticks out due to its bulkiness. Factor 55 has other hooks that fold a little flatter, but they do cost a bit more money.
What we like:
- Better than a regular winch hook
- Keeps the hook of your winch line
- Fairly low profile
- Cheap for a great winch hook
What we don’t like:
Winch Hook Isolator – LOW PROFILE, LOW NOISE
The big difference between this and the other winch hook stoppers is that it works when you “put away your winch”, but you wouldn’t use it during a long trail ride. It easily slips over your winch hook and cable, and press-fits between your winch fairlead rollers.
These don’t prevent your cable from being reeled in during a day of winching, but do keep your hook neatly tucked away and quiet. If you’re looking for a way to keep your winch hook from banging your frame, this is what you’d use.
About Winch Cable Hook Stopper
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