winch question
- Thread starter mcgovski
- Start date
RocKrawler
Supporting Sponsor
Its funny, many Toyota & Jeep owners end up buying 12K+ winches & when they find they wont fit the bumpers they want they often sell them cheap to buy the right one - this translates to good deals for us big truck guys... I've seen several 12K-16.5K winches used for $300-$600 & new ones well under a grand, the deals are out there!
RocKrawler
Supporting Sponsor
Winchline.com has some good deals on the medium grade stuff, but I prefer the Masterpull Superline we sell for ultimate strength & abrasion resistance. If you go that route request two 5' lengths of the abrasion guards instead of one 10' section. I do like the billet thimble winchline.com offers though. I also have the 20K lb ARB snatchblock which is very syn rope friendly.
Antichrist
Expedition Leader
Only you don't buy winch line by the pound, you buy it by the diameter. Wire rope comes in many different constructions, with some approaching the strength of synthetic, size for size.
Also, a properly cared for wire rope will last a lot longer than synthetic. But it really comes down to what you use your winch for, where you use it, and the environment it's exposed to.
Having seen synthetic break so many times, I wouldn't ever use it in a situation where the vehicle could not maintain it's position unsupported by the winch line. For instance, on an extremely steep incline.
It's one thing for synthetic to break and you have to take time to splice it or affix a new cable, it's quite another to have it break and watch your vehicle roll down a mountain.
I Leak Oil
Expedition Leader
Tom, I respect your knowledge and experience with the wire rope. Within the last 3 years or so I switched to synthetic and so far I feel the benefits of weight, ease of handling and the ease of use when encrusted in snow or ice is a significant benefit for me. Either type of line needs to be taken care of properly and either type will break, that's a fact. Your not as comfortable with synthetic as you are with wire but let me ask this. If the wire cable breaks while winching up a steep incline is the vehicle going to be any less damaged? Proper care and use of the equipment is necessary no matter what line you choose, I think we can all agree on that.
Jason T.
Antichrist
Expedition Leader
Of course. But, as I mentioned in the winch test article thread, I've seen much more synthetic line breakage in the few years it's been common on winches than I have seen wire rope break in the 35 years I've been working with it. So the odds are heavily in favor of wire rope in that respect.
I don't deny synthetic is easier to work with, less weight, and safer in most winching situations, especially for people new to winching.
Absolutely. I've seen people state that winches are zero maintenance. That's a disaster waiting to happen.
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I Leak Oil
Expedition Leader
Wow, can't say I've ever heard someone say that! That is certainly an accident waiting to happen. Sounds like someone bought a sales pitch hook, line and sinker.
I think OJ needs to test some winch lines next! Properly cared for, real world cared for and, well, the type of care given by the guy who thinks winches are maintenance free.
Jason T.
Carlyle
Explorer
I have a Warn 16.5 in my front bumper and have only used it for pulling other out of the ditch or snow. I picked it up on a sweet deal through a friend of a friend. It's there for the day I need it though, well greased and ready.
I think the question over steel versus synthetic is more for people that are off roaders' and need to use their winch much more than the average person. I'm glad I have it, but so far, only others have saved tow truck fees with it so far.
Get a good big winch first and worry about the other stuff later if you use it a lot.
I think the question over steel versus synthetic is more for people that are off roaders' and need to use their winch much more than the average person. I'm glad I have it, but so far, only others have saved tow truck fees with it so far.
Get a good big winch first and worry about the other stuff later if you use it a lot.
Yes it's true you don't buy winch line by the pound the point still stands. With extremely few exceptions a given diameter of synthetic line and wire cable, the synthetic line is stronger.
I too have seen/made my fair share of winch pulls and I have yet to see a synthetic, or wire line for that matter, break. If you have no confidence in your gear, synthetic or wire, then I suppose you probably shouldn't use it in a situation where your vehicle could just go rolling away on you.
Sounds like those people will get what they deserve. :Wow1:
As you said that is personal opinion and cable is certainly not what every experienced wheeler will keep on his or her winch.
I Leak Oil
Expedition Leader
Unfortunately there is a good chance someone else near by could be injured also. I personally don't want to see anyone injured even if it is due to their own lack of maintenance.
Jason T.
I absolutely agree 100%. As a responsible wheeler I am always out to help others on the trail....even if that means offering the use of my winch and the synthetic line wrapped around it. :sombrero:
Paul