An aluminium hawse fairlead with the OVS logo, black powder coated with a clear finish.

The fairlead is what the winch line passes through on its way to the drum, and it guides the line as it spools. If you run synthetic rope, it must be an aluminium hawse fairlead like this one — a steel roller fairlead will abrade synthetic line and destroy it.

Aluminium is used because it is softer than the rope. The fairlead wears instead of the line, which is the correct way round for a part that costs a fraction of what a winch line does.

It is also the most visible piece of hardware on the front of the vehicle, which is why it comes with a logo on it.