Author Topic: Winch Cable or Winch Rope? (Read 13976 times)

alwayzbroken · « **on:** Nov 19, 2006, 06:38:37 PM »

I recently snapped my 5/16" winch cable on my Warn M8000 winch. I obviously need a replacement line and am curious about your opinions on synthetic winch rope vs. winch cable. What are the pros and cons of either from those of you that have experience with them? What are your general thoughts and experiences with either?

79coyotefrg · « **Reply #1 on:** Nov 19, 2006, 06:51:35 PM »

you wont rip your hand open on the rope

CTENG in KS · « **Reply #2 on:** Nov 19, 2006, 07:07:44 PM »

From what I hear they are great, but you need to do some reading because some hold up to mud and dirt better than others.

DTB · « **Reply #3 on:** Nov 19, 2006, 07:17:35 PM »

Good: significant weight difference (easier to pull off the spool too)
-will not store (dangerous) tension in the cable
- higher breaking strength than steel usually at least 25 percent for similar steel
-wont rust, kink, or recoil.
-wont get wound up like cable when u take it off the spool
- will not "creep" (permanant stretch)
- possibly have a longer line if u use a smaller diameter line with the same breaking strength
-ummmm it floats?
- u can splice the line if it breaks

Bad: MUST use a hawse type fairlead (though that's probably more good)
- must use a rock rash guard
- more expensive
-abrasion from dirt and mud in line
-its slippery and can make it tangle on the spool. it can "cut" thru the winds on the spool
-heat can kill the line, watch spool/motor temps, most degrade around 150 degrees and melt at 300

hope that helps

Hottrod81 · « **Reply #4 on:** Nov 19, 2006, 08:25:21 PM »

I like the rope for the safety factor.

All_Set · « **Reply #5 on:** Nov 20, 2006, 01:30:31 PM »

I hear good things about amsteal blue and plan to try it.

alwayzbroken · « **Reply #6 on:** Nov 20, 2006, 06:57:34 PM »

Any Opinions on specific brand? I have heard of Amstel Blue, X line from ORO, and master pull.

BikerTrash · « **Reply #7 on:** Nov 20, 2006, 07:06:57 PM »

I don't actually have my winch yet but I know from working on towboats that I MUCH prefer synthetic rope to cable.

It was just so much easier to work with that it was unreal. I cant see any winch on a truck would have cable thick enough to actually make it difficult enough to handle that it would be a a hassle but regardless the rope seems like it would have to be easier anyway.

the only bad thing I have noticed with it is the need for chafing gear to keep it from cutting on sharp (or sometimes even not so sharp) edges. In two years we only broke three face cables, and every time it happened it was because the boat was sitting lower in the water than the barges, moving around 10 mph and ran into a sandbar and came to a dead stop while 60,000 barrels worth of barge wanted to keep going. in that situation even wire rope would have broken.

Long story short. To me, the price is more than worth it.

jimbo74 · « **Reply #8 on:** Nov 20, 2006, 07:29:24 PM »

you can use a roller fairlead, several places actually make them for syn rope, they jsut use delrin rollers

alwayzbroken · « **Reply #9 on:** Nov 23, 2006, 02:36:16 PM »

How does snythetic hold up to moisture and mud?

Rocksurfer · « **Reply #10 on:** Nov 24, 2006, 11:16:43 AM »

Coming from the towing industry and winching more vehicles than anyone here from some very odd and tough places I'm sticking with wire rope. The abuse steel can take over synthetic is incredible, and I've seriously abused them. Though I would not use the wire rope offered with most winches since they are pretty wimpy looking. Here's a link to AW Direct, not just your average wire rope supplier, they have lots of stuff that offroaders may want beside rope:

http://awdirect.com/

TurtleTappers91 · « **Reply #11 on:** Mar 31, 2007, 11:17:41 PM »

I have ORO x line. It is sooooo easy to handle and if you are one of those :drooling:that likes to drape you'r cable all over you'r bumper and truck, you'll love the rope it wont even scratch anything. A must too if you wheel alone.

Shamb · « **Reply #12 on:** Apr 01, 2007, 08:34:19 AM »

I'd personally never use the rope... only because I hear it will tear easly when pulling against objects like rocks/tree's... or anything with a rough surface.

good ol' steel braided line does the job for me.

rednk1980 · « **Reply #13 on:** Apr 01, 2007, 01:54:52 PM »

The only reason i went to the rope was for the saftey factor. Its a pain most of the time because you alway have to watch where the line is so it doesn't catch on trees and rocks a tear or fray it. But it wont cut my leg off if it breaks.

RTA · « **Reply #14 on:** Apr 01, 2007, 02:09:27 PM »

After I saw my cable snap!!!!!!!

I saw how dangerous it is I would go with the rope for sure!

DTB · « **Reply #15 on:** Apr 01, 2007, 02:29:49 PM »

winching is a dangerous activity in general...anything you can do to make it safer is worth it imo

Shamb · « **Reply #16 on:** Apr 01, 2007, 03:18:32 PM »

I hear what your all saying and agree... but on the other side of the coin what happens when you need to winch yourself up or away from something and you cant because the rope just tore in half? kinda defeats the purpose.

alwayzbroken · « **Reply #17 on:** Apr 01, 2007, 03:56:36 PM »

Quote from: Shamb on Apr 01, 2007, 03:18:32 PM

I hear what your all saying and agree... but on the other side of the coin what happens when you need to winch yourself up or away from something and you cant because the rope just tore in half? kinda defeats the purpose.

My wire rope snapped the second winch pull I ever made.

Shamb · « **Reply #18 on:** Apr 01, 2007, 04:01:10 PM »

Quote

My wire rope snapped the second winch pull I ever made

what the hell were you dragging the cable across? molton lava?

what was the thickness on the cable? 3/8's?

alwayzbroken · « **Reply #19 on:** Apr 01, 2007, 04:19:22 PM »

Quote from: Shamb on Apr 01, 2007, 04:01:10 PM

what the hell were you dragging the cable across? molton lava?

what was the thickness on the cable? 3/8's?

5/16" and it wasn't dragging on anything. Straight pull to a tree.

Shamb · « **Reply #20 on:** Apr 01, 2007, 05:03:56 PM »

looks like your using your front tire as a bull dozer in the dirt.

when you were giving it a hard pull was the truck moving at all?

TurtleTappers91 · « **Reply #21 on:** Apr 01, 2007, 08:24:00 PM »

You can repair/resplice the synthetic rope if it breaks. Even on the trail if you are carrying a splice kit and some knowledge. Abrasion guards are important and if not used, yes the rope will get damaged. DOH!

Look at the pull ratings, though. The syn is stronger than steel cable by a whole lot....And if you are concerned about weight, the rope weighs squat.
Safety first was the only reason I needed.....

robinhood4x4 · « **Reply #22 on:** Apr 01, 2007, 08:34:19 PM »

If it breaks, just splice it back together in about 5 minutes, good as new. Lets see you do that with steel.

It's soooo easy to fix on the trail. Look around on the web and you'll find how to do it.

alwayzbroken · « **Reply #23 on:** Apr 01, 2007, 09:03:17 PM »

Quote from: Shamb on Apr 01, 2007, 05:03:56 PM

looks like your using your front tire as a bull dozer in the dirt.

when you were giving it a hard pull was the truck moving at all?

Yeah it was moving which is what I don't understand. It looks worse than it was. I could drive no problem up until the tire blew, then I needed the winch. It wasn't as hard of a pull as it looks.

DTB · « **Reply #24 on:** Apr 01, 2007, 09:04:11 PM »

i cant even see the tire looks buried

alwayzbroken · « **Reply #25 on:** Apr 01, 2007, 09:09:47 PM »

Quote from: DirToyBoy on Apr 01, 2007, 09:04:11 PM

i cant even see the tire looks buried

The bead is blown and it was all jammed up. You can see the tire if you look hard.

TurtleTappers91 · « **Reply #26 on:** Apr 01, 2007, 09:16:13 PM »

Quote from: alwayzbroken on Apr 01, 2007, 09:09:47 PM

The bead is blown and it was all jammed up. You can see the tire if you look hard.

hairy situation

Shamb · « **Reply #27 on:** Apr 01, 2007, 09:22:28 PM »

Quote

If it breaks, just splice it back together in about 5 minutes, good as new. Lets see you do that with steel

yea if it was moving that is strange.. i've burnt up solenoids on my winch many times before the cable ever thought about snapping... weird.

alwayzbroken · « **Reply #28 on:** Apr 02, 2007, 01:05:48 PM »

The truck was on solid ground and was only stuck since the tire was blown

Shamb · « **Reply #29 on:** Apr 02, 2007, 01:53:43 PM »

was the cable previously frayed or damaged at all?


	Poll If you had to replace your winch line which would you put back on? Synthetic Winch Rope Traditional Winch Cable

Poll

If you had to replace your winch line which would you put back on?

alwayzbroken [OP]

alwayzbroken [OP]

alwayzbroken [OP]

alwayzbroken [OP]

alwayzbroken [OP]

alwayzbroken [OP]

alwayzbroken [OP]

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