What? A winch cover on WildSnow.com? For those of you just getting started with DIY on the sewing machine, consider this a practical application of the “box corner bag,” the classic way to make everything from a stuff sack to a bicycle cover. Perhaps the basics for a home made ski bag? Follow along.
DIY winch cover.
We bought the WildSnow big rig a new winch after the old Harbor Freight cheapo burnt out installing Lisa’s wood fired hot tub (oops).
The new winch, Warn XD900Di, sits on our customized front bumper, ready to ease us out of the occasional ditch dump at a ski touring trailhead, or stranding on the muddy two-track at Wildsnow field HQ. It’s set up on a Warn portable hitch receiver mount we can attach to both the front and rear of the truck. The rear option is wired to a high amperage selector switch under the hood. Pretty slick. Or so His Blogness says, anyhow.
Warn winch mounts on a customized 2 inch receiver attached to our front bumper (receiver is hidden behind winch, it easily comes off and mounts on rear trailer hitch so we can recover backwards.
Magnesium chloride is used to melt our icy roads. It’s corrosive and the slime that results when you mix with road dust makes an incredibly goopy mess (white ski clothing is not an option). Coating an expensive winch with this stuff is a recipe for endless maintenance and repairs, not to mention the basic annoyance of handling the winch when it’s draped in crud.
To protect the winch, we made a simple cover using Sunbrella fabric scraps that our friends at UpSki generously tossed our way.
The winch cover is just a simple box corner bag with a gathered opening. To begin, cut fabric twice the height of winch, adding inches to compensate for width of winch, and seam allowance. Fold.
To make the box corners, make a corner peak by laying side seam along bottom fold line. Make a line across the peak which will be the width of the cover; should be ample enough to fit over winch. Sew along the line.
Make a generous hem with an opening to insert bungee draw cord. Voilà, fini!
WildSnow week in review, November 7-11, 2016:
Up Close To A Distant Dream — Ski Descent Of Cerro Loma Larga by Drew Tabke.
Touring Bindings in an Avalanche, Deadly? And Support Your Avy Center
Skialper Buyer Guide 2017 — Out! Get Yer Wild Discount
Alugator Light — Mammut Avalanche Rescue Shovel Exam
WildSnow Girl, Lisa Dawson, is the luckiest girl in the world. Also known as Mrs. WildSnow.com, she tests whatever gear she wants. She gives the WildSnow family of websites the feminine voice.
