Factor 55 Hawse Fairlead | 1" Thick | CNC 6000 Aluminum | MIL-A-8625F Hard Anodized | Gunmetal Gray

Is This for You?

• You're running a synthetic winch line and want a Hawse fairlead that is thicker than the industry-standard 0.75" — this 1.0" version provides a larger-radius rope contact surface that reduces wear on the synthetic line at the fairlead interface, where cumulative abrasion is the primary rope life limiter.
• You need a fairlead that can pass a 1/2" tube thimble through the opening — the taller slot opening on Factor 55 fairleads accommodates up to 1/2" tube thimbles, which standard-height fairlead openings cannot pass.
• You want a finish that is a functional specification, not a cosmetic choice — MIL-A-8625F TYPE III hard anodize is one of the five hardest materials known to exist, provides a low friction coefficient that reduces rope wear, and resists abrasion and damage from extreme side pulls.

The Result

• 1.0" thickness — 33% thicker than the industry-standard 0.75" fairlead, providing a larger-radius rope contact surface and longer synthetic rope service life at the fairlead interface.
• MIL-A-8625F TYPE III gunmetal gray hard anodize — military specification hard coat, one of the five hardest materials known to exist, low friction coefficient, abrasion and side-pull resistant.
• Tall slot opening passes up to 1/2" tube thimbles — standard fairlead openings cannot accommodate this thimble size.

The fairlead is the highest-wear contact point for a synthetic winch line — every winch operation cycles the rope across the fairlead opening, and the radius of that contact surface directly determines how much abrasion the rope fibers experience per cycle. A thicker fairlead body produces a larger radius at the rope contact edge, which distributes the bending stress across more rope fibers and reduces the localized abrasion that shortens rope service life. At 1.0", this fairlead is 33% thicker than the industry-standard 0.75" — that difference is measurable in rope service life over repeated winch cycles. The MIL-A-8625F TYPE III hard anodize is not a paint or powder coat — it is an electrochemical conversion coating that penetrates the aluminum surface and creates a ceramic-like aluminum oxide layer. TYPE III (hard anodize) produces a coating hardness of approximately 60–70 Rockwell C, placing it among the hardest materials in common use. The low friction coefficient of this surface reduces the drag force the rope experiences as it moves across the fairlead, which reduces heat generation and fiber stress at the contact point. The laser-engraved logo is applied after anodizing — it does not compromise the coating. CNC machined from USA 6000-series aluminum bar stock — not cast, not stamped. Mounting hardware is not included. In most cases, the mounting bolts supplied by your winch manufacturer are adequate. When longer bolts are required, 3/8" Grade 5–Grade 8 bolts in 1.25–1.5" shank length is the recommended starting point; 7/16" bolts may also be used.

Audit Table

Compatibility

✔ Synthetic winch lines — all diameters compatible with standard Hawse fairlead opening
✔ Hawse fairlead mounting patterns — standard 4-bolt winch fairlead mount
✔ Tube thimbles up to 1/2" diameter

✘ Not compatible with: Steel wire rope — synthetic rope only; steel cable requires a roller fairlead
✘ Mounting hardware not included — use winch manufacturer-supplied bolts or 3/8" Grade 5–8 in 1.25–1.5" shank length

Installation Notes

• Mounting hardware not included. In most cases, winch manufacturer-supplied bolts are adequate in strength and length. When longer bolts are required, 3/8" Grade 5–Grade 8 in 1.25–1.5" shank length is the recommended starting point. 7/16" bolts may also be used.
• Verify bolt shank length does not contact the winch body when torqued — shank length requirements vary by bumper and fairlead mounting plate thickness.
• ⚠️ Warning: Always confirm the synthetic rope cannot contact any sharp edges at the steel fairlead mounting plate or bumper opening. In some cases it may be required to grind the slot larger. Always sand and deburr after any grinding operation before running the rope.
• For synthetic rope only. Do not use with steel wire rope.

Engineering Question: What is your winch line diameter and do you need to pass a tube thimble through the fairlead opening? Also confirm your bumper and fairlead mounting plate thickness to determine whether your winch manufacturer's supplied bolts are the correct shank length, or whether longer 3/8" Grade 5–8 bolts are required.