I was not implying that anyone wants to steal the synthetic rope, just that if you have synthetic rope and a hook shackle you will need to tie-off the hook to the factory recovery point down below the bumper. You can't have it flopping around and can't pull it into the fairlead.
This will expose a foot or so of the synthetic rope to the elements and also expose the rope to anyone walking by. This is also a critical foot or so regarding strength.
I also was not trying to say that the syn rope actually gets kinked like wire cable does, but that it will have a bend in the same spot all the time and weathering will likely weaken that location of the rope.
Synthetic rope can be cut relatively easily compared to wire cable. It may seem unlikely, but a teenager or hooligan could choose to cut the synthetic rope. I have seen worse done by teenage idiots....
By having a safety thimble that pulls all the way into the fairlead the potential for vandalism and exposure to weather is eliminated.
Mrvandelay, it is interesting that you are pulling the warn all the way to the fairlead. Are you using a rubber isolator? I considered the option of pulling the warn into the fairlead and tried it for a few days, but it looked like the regular warn thimble it would/could pull through my daystar rubber isolator and mar or damage the fairlead. Keeping the fairlead free of scratches, dents, etc. is important with synthetic rope. Any sharp edge and the expensive rope will be toast.