X-Line? Viking Winchline? Amsteel Blue?

93BLAZER

Explorer
Folks, I need your PROFESSIONAL opinions...

I have a 93 full size Chevy Blazer (GVR 6000) which is equipped with a Warn 8000 front receiver hitch winch. Currently, I have steel cable and have not had the oppurtunity to really use it. Reading these forums, I'm now scared to put the cable under load fearing that I'll be cut in half by the breaking cable.

So after READING through and SEARCHING through these forums I've decided to purchase a synthetic line.

My question is, will the 800 be able to handle 125 feet of 3/8 line?
What kind of line do you have or prefer? X-Line, Viking Winchline or the Amsteel blue.

Im standing by for your input.

Kind regards.
 

Bighead

Adventurer
I believe the max 3/8" line the M8000 can hold is 80'. I used to have a chart that had all that info but I can't seem to find it. If that is the case, you can always go with 80' on the drum and get a winchline extension for the times you need more.
 

Jacket

2008 Expedition Trophy Champion
^I agree. You might be able to fit 100' if you did a very tight and methodical spooling of the rope, but 125' of 3/8 is probably too much. I've got 80' of 5/16" on my M8000, and there's some room to spare, but the idea of a shorter rope on the winch + a 50' extension is a better option.
 

Willman

Active member
Jacket said:
^I agree. You might be able to fit 100' if you did a very tight and methodical spooling of the rope, but 125' of 3/8 is probably too much. I've got 80' of 5/16" on my M8000, and there's some room to spare, but the idea of a shorter rope on the winch + a 50' extension is a better option.

Ditto.....

Jacket and i have the same setup......I just got the Amsteel blue 80' of 5/16.....I have not used it yet.....but so far like the weight of the synthetic line and the handling factor.

:)
 

mountainpete

Spamicus Eliminatus
I have 90 feet of 5/16 winchline.com (from Wil at Sierra Expeditions) on my M8000. I would probably have enough room for another 20 feet on the drum. However, I carry an extension.

So to answer your question, no, I don't believe you can fit 125 feet of 3/8 on. I would also recommend contacting Wil to get the Winchline.com version. Good product, decent pricing and great service.

I would like to put this out for discusison though: on an M8000, how valuable is the extra strength of a 3/8 line? The extra strength is beyond the capacity of the M8000... I realize you have a heavy truck, but there are limits to an M8000.

Pete
 

seriessearcher

Adventurer
Snatch Block

If you double the pulling power, you will need the extra strength. That is at least how I justified the 3/8 line for my Bellview 5687.
 

Andrew Walcker

Mod Emeritus
100' of 5/16" Viking/Winchline on my Warn M8000 w/ the line saver jacket and it just barely fits. Will at Sierra Expeditions will take care of you!
 

mountainpete

Spamicus Eliminatus
seriessearcher said:
If you double the pulling power, you will need the extra strength. That is at least how I justified the 3/8 line for my Bellview 5687.

Yes, of course... But the M8000 itself has it's limits. It's no doubt a 3/8 line is worth it on a large truck/large winch combo, but the M8000 may not be ideal. Thoughts?
 

93BLAZER

Explorer
Thanks for all the great info. What a great forum!

It saddens me to hear that I am unable to fit 125 feet of 3/8 line on my M8000.

The reason I wanted the 3/8 was the 19,600lb breaking strength as per the website.


I figured that If I used a snatch block with my vehicle winch, I would exceed the 13,700 breaking strength of the 5/16 line.

So my plan is to use 80 feet of 3/8 on the spool and then have an extension of about 40 feet of 3/8 line.
OR putting 125 feet of 5/16 line.

Your thoughts?

Also what are your thougts of the FIRELINE product? Does the spool on the m8000 get THAT hot?
 
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Bighead

Adventurer
93BLAZER said:
Also what are your thougts of the FIRELINE product? Does the spool on the m8000 get THAT hot?

The only time my M8000 has gotten really warm was when I was doing multiple pulls in a short period of time (pulling vehicles out of a snow bank). It didn't scorch or discolor my line when I checked it later but it concerned me enough to think about getting a line with additional heat resistant properties like the Master-Pull LCP line.
 

ntsqd

Heretic Car Camper
If you double the pulling power, you will need the extra strength.

This is a common misconception. If the winch can only generate 8000 lbs of pull then the maximum tension in the line is 8000 lbs regardless of how many pulleys there are in the system.

When you double up it's like adding another winch to the situation. The line tension will never exceed what the winch can generate. If you triple up (2 pulleys) it would act like yet a third winch had been added to the situation, but the line tension is still maxed out at what the winch can pull.
 
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zimm

Expedition Leader
seriessearcher said:
If you double the pulling power, you will need the extra strength. That is at least how I justified the 3/8 line for my Bellview 5687.

nope. if you use a snatch block, and the full 8000 pounds, each "line" will only see roughly 4000 pounds.

(keep in mind youll loose 5% of your remaining pulling power per pulley in the system.)
 

crawler#976

Expedition Leader
A secondary consideration to using a long line is the decreased rating for short pulls. A 3/8's x 80' line and an extension are a better option if you want the heavier line.
 

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