how much winchline do you have?

winchline length

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Tech11

Tech11

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2007
Location
Greensboro
Just wondering how much line most people keep spooled on their winches. I'm thinking of getting some synthetic line and was wonderin how much I should get.

I know your main pullin power is in the first couple of layers of line so the more line you have spooled in the less power you have to pull. Right?

Maybe I'm getting tech in some chit chat, but I was really just wantin to know how much line most folk keep.
 
Tech11 said:
Just wondering how much line most people keep spooled on their winches. I'm thinking of getting some synthetic line and was wonderin how much I should get.

I know your main pullin power is in the first couple of layers of line so the more line you have spooled in the less power you have to pull. Right?

Maybe I'm getting tech in some chit chat, but I was really just wantin to know how much line most folk keep.
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I have 125. It's too much. I never need that much and I have to be careful when winding it back on or it will bind up because it gets "full" on one side.
 
Ive got over 100 of synthetic and it winds up much tighter than steel
 
I was looking at 100' of synth, a safety thimble and shackle.
 
*west marine sells amsteel much cheaper than 4x4 shops. Find some sailboat guy to tie a loop for you.
 
you can search youtube to see how to make the loop end and do an end to end splice yourself. its not terribly hard, but its not easy your first time.
 
The safety thimble shows how to splice the thimble in, but its using a robe that has a crush proof thimble on it already. using a ball point pen.
west marine seems about the same price if not a little high.
 
One_Bad_Zj said:
I have around 65 feet of synthetic rope, that combined with a towstrap usually does the trick!
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Thats what I was reading. 60-75ish + extension. But a lot of people seem to have around 100, weight won't be a factor, but reduced pulling power will be the more line on the drum, right? (if i understand correctly)
 
50' of 3/8" synthetic. I usually use a 30' strap as my tree saver, so it's really like 65'. Plus I keep another tow strap if I need another 30' extension.
 
Is 3/8 necessary? Or is it better to err on the stronger side?
 
My 3/8" line is rated for 18,000 lbs. My jeep is a little over 4k... I think it'll be alright.
 
336wheeler said:
My 3/8" line is rated for 18,000 lbs. My jeep is a little over 4k... I think it'll be alright.
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Thats what I'm askin, I was looking at 5/16s thinkin 3/8s was overkill. I'm looking for opinions and experiences.
 
It's a winch line, there to save your ass when you get in a jam. The VERY last thing I want failing on my rig is my winch. Even if you're missing a tire/wheel and 3-wheeling it, at least a winch can drag you if you get into a real mess. Never puss out with the winch.
 
Last rig had 125' and I hated it. New rig will be getting 80ft. With all the extra it never spooled right after the first time.
 
IIRC mine is 95' of steel, plenty.

With steel I can see how adding more makes it weaker (weight/drag?), but w/ synthetic why would it matter at all? Shouldn't each wind add strength?
 
Glad I asked. What to you link extensions with? A regular shackle, or do you need one of those fancy connector deals?

Is a 3/4 shackle enough, or should it be 7/8?
 
RatLabGuy said:
IIRC mine is 95' of steel, plenty.
With steel I can see how adding more makes it weaker (weight/drag?), but w/ synthetic why would it matter at all? Shouldn't each wind add strength?
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aimg24.imageshack.us_img24_6954_pullzone4x4.gif

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was what I was referring to. It COULD be propaganda, for all I know.
 
Pulling power is a result of leverage. More wraps on the drum equals less leverage. Its the same principle of using a 24" breaker bar instead of an 8" ratchet, only looking at it as if the bolt is driving the socket.
 
Warn M12k with 5/16" x 100ft. That is all you need.

I've got a 50 ft extension that is brand new, in the bag. Never been used. Been in the back of the truck for about 9 years now. Sometimes I pull it out just to look at it but other than that, it hasn't been used.

100ft is all you need and unless you are pulling out a 2.5 ton, 5/16" is fine. Can also get more line per layer (well I can, came down from 3/8" wire cable).
 
Just to pose a question: Don't you double the pulling power by adding "arms" to your pull (I don't know the technical term; i.e. you pull your cable to a tree, use a shackle, then pull the hook back to your rig) "\ /" pretty much. If so, then would more cable be beneficial for a really stuck vehicle?
 
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