Cheap synthetic winch line plus a question

[v_man]

Someone on another site found this company selling 100' of 5/16" winch rope for $120

http://www.customsplice.com/product-p/5-16x100diamondline.htm

seems like a pretty good deal so I called them up and talked w/ a worker there, he seemed very knowledgeable/helpful about winch lines , and told me the line comes from China, and each spool they get is tested to meet claimed breaking strength ... so my question is:

1) My winch is set up for 100' of 5/16" line (so says this: http://tinyurl.com/j9nsyy4 ), but I want to move to 80' of 3/8" , a little stronger and hopefully more durable, anyone ever switched lines like that?

2) Also, my current line is 100' of 5/16" , and I want to just keep that in my recovery kit and use it as a
extension line if need be, anyone ever done that ? Use old winch line as an extender...

 

[mowerman]

My cheap Chinese winch has cheap Chinese synthetic winch line and it's been fine for 5 years.
There would be no problem I terms of functionality, I guess you are wondering if I will physically fit, I would have thought it would be OK.
I have a 75 foot new synthetic winch line with a hook on one end and eye on the other as an extension line, it's very useful and works well.

 

[Wh1t3nukle]

1. V yes that is typical change in length from 5/16 to 3/8. Mine was 85' in my case for Master Pull.

2. Yes on keeping old line for extension. People typically cut down to shorter lengths and put eyes both ends.

 

[v_man]

^^^ thanks ...

 

[AFBronco235]

I would use the synth as an extension instead. Even ignoring which is better on the spool, I'm sure we can agree that synth is better than steel for an extension if just from a weight perspective. I mean, which would you rather carry, 80+ feet of steel cable, or 80+ feet of synthetic rope?

 

[mowerman]

I would use the synth as an extension instead. Even ignoring which is better on the spool, I'm sure we can agree that synth is better than steel for an extension if just from a weight perspective. I mean, which would you rather carry, 80+ feet of steel cable, or 80+ feet of synthetic rope?

I may have misunderstood, I thought the OP already had synthetic line. I wouldn't bother with steel line for an extension, just junk it and buy another synthetic.

 

[AFBronco235]

I may have misunderstood, I thought the OP already had synthetic line. I wouldn't bother with steel line for an extension, just junk it and buy another synthetic.

You're right. I missed that. Please ignore my original advice.

 

[NYresQ]

Custom Splice is good to go. if you check over on the Pirate4x4 forum, he has a great reputation. I have ordered hardware from them and never had any issues.

As for the line, going up in size for synthetic line is common, and 80' is still more than enough for 99.9% of problems you will ever encounter.

If your original line is also a synthetic line, I would keep it for an extension and just put a couple of eyes with thimbles on each end. But if its a steel cable, trash it. For the price of a synthetic extension, its not worth using a piece of used steel cable.

 

[LR Max]

Everything looks good.

You can keep your old cable as an extension. However it'll be big, nasty, and uneasy to handle. Carry it a few times and then realize you don't need it. Further down the road, look at getting 50ft of synthetic winch extension.

My biggest gripe with steel cable is how difficult it is to handle after using synthetic. Synthetic is super easy to pull, handle, and work with. Cable is stiff, always trying to cut your hand, and when it unravels it just makes a giant mess.

I've got a 50ft synthetic winch extension that I have NEVER used. Literally. Been in the back of my truck since 2002. 100ft of 5/16" has worked great here in the southeast.

Stick with 5/16"x100ft. Strong and will have less wraps on the drum. Which means more pulling power. That said, 100ft of 3/8" does look good on a Warn 8274...

 

[v_man]

I ordered at Custom Splice today, I got 80' of 3/8" so hopefully no surprises and it has a long life of pulling me out of trouble :sombrero:

 

[Wh1t3nukle]

Did you get this all on by now V??

 

[v_man]

Yo Wh1t , I got the 3/8" line from Custom Splice, measured the length and the width , and everything checked out .... I got it on the drum but can't do a real test until I need to pull myself out of something , if it breaks then I'll let u know !