Sythetic winch cables

[UncleWillie]

I put one on both of the small winch we use to pull up dead cars on the tow dolly, and one on the trailer winch. The problem I have now is I have to spend 20 minutes explaining to people what the cable is, and why it is better than a steel cable.. They are fascinated by it. One guy thought it was a nylon rope.

I am thinking of making up a pamphlet to hand out LOL.

 

[Tom@Hilltop_Machine]

Make a simple YouTube video and send them to your channel to watch it.

 

[hurt4x4]

I have nothing useful to add other than my synthetic rope broke after less than 1 year of use on the 5th pull. I know this is not the case for most, and that synthetic is a lot more safe that steel. I'm just bitter.

 

[Jody Treadway]

I have nothing useful to add other than my synthetic rope broke after less than 1 year of use on the 5th pull. I know this is not the case for most, and that synthetic is a lot more safe that steel. I'm just bitter.

What's weird. Mines holding up well even taking into account the numerous Yotas that have been on the hook end

 

[BigSouth]

I thought this was still under debate. Has the off-road community gone to “synthetic is better”?

 

[jankoid]

I have nothing useful to add other than my synthetic rope broke after less than 1 year of use on the 5th pull. I know this is not the case for most, and that synthetic is a lot more safe that steel. I'm just bitter.

What brand, what thickness, and what material? Not all "synthetic" winch cables are created equal.

 

[UncleWillie]

I went to synthetic because there is not really a safe place to stand when using either winch. I ordered this one https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0196PAYNC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 it seems to work pretty well. The good thing about it is if it breaks I can fix it fairly easy. I don't need a huge cable to pull a car that has 4 good tires and isn't mired in a bog.

 

[hurt4x4]

What brand, what thickness, and what material? Not all "synthetic" winch cables are created equal.

It was this rope.https://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-87895-Hybrid-Fusion-Rope/dp/B00AQFE3TI 4wp had them on sale for like $150 a while back.

 

[superman27344]

I thought this was still under debate. Has the off-road community gone to “synthetic is better”?

I could be wrong, but I don't think anyone is still debating this, except for maybe the same people that claim the earth is flat and that we never landed on the moon.

 

[Chris_Keziah]

I thought this was still under debate. Has the off-road community gone to “synthetic is better”?

It really depends on the situation in my opinion of what is better, but for what most of us do rope has a hell of a lot more pro than con over cable. The biggest win is safety, not only if you have rope failure but one for handling. No stray pieces of wire to cut the fuck out of your hands and rope is way lighter for when you have to drag or throw the shit up hill.

One thing I'll add that most people forget is your not suppose to just throw synthetic rope on any winch (this is outside of the obvious fairlead and drum damage from cable). Most cheaper wire cable equipped winches are not safe to run rope on (granted most will never see these short falls). For example rope should be ran on a winch that has an external brake to reduce heat transfer into the inner wraps on the drum. Another thing is most wire cable winches have a thinner drum which in some situations rope can actually crush the drum.

 

[BigSouth]

Guess I’m just stuck in the past then. I’ve run cable for 22 years and it’s never let me down. Maybe I’ve just never had a reason to make the switch. Ain’t broke, don’t fix it kinda thing. I dunno.

 

[77GreenMachine]

After owning both and spending lots of time winching, I’m convinced that rope is the way to go. Both need to be wound up correctly, but you can’t always help how you wind a cable depending on the winching situation. The cable on my superwinch got so kinked and frayed from being wound over itself on a tight side pull it had to be replaced. Rope still needs to avoid the kinking but is wayy more forgiving.
Above all, it’s like Chris said, not only is handling it safer; it’s a whole heck of a lot easier too!

 

[karatejosh]

I use rope I would like to keep all my body parts I broke a winch rope in a buddy’s hand and it was no big deal he was holding the slack and the buggy lost traction and slid back


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[superman27344]

Guess I’m just stuck in the past then. I’ve run cable for 22 years and it’s never let me down. Maybe I’ve just never had a reason to make the switch. Ain’t broke, don’t fix it kinda thing. I dunno.

Nothing wrong with continuing with cable if that is what you prefer. So long as you are safe with it, its still a legitimate option. My joke earlier about the debate was merely to point out that it was no longer being debated as to which was better. That being said, just cause the synthetic is considered the better option, that does not mean that cable is a totally screwed up option by any means. Its like a cadilac versus a cavalier, both will get you there but one is nicer. Just my two cents.

 

[AdamH]

I still have cable on the receiver mount Warn 8k I have for my truck because it’s used mainly for things like pulling bushes and stumps. I’d rather not put a synthetic rope through all that. But I have synthetic on the rest of them

 

[BigSouth]

I definitely do all the safety stuff. Gloves, got one of those Daystar slides that dampen the snap if it ever lets go, and I re-spool the winch before every ride. Who knows, maybe that’ll be on the upgrade list one day down the road.

 

[77GreenMachine]

I agree that there is nothing wrong with the old faithful cable.

 

[CasterTroy]

people that claim the earth is flat and that we never landed on the moon.

 

[Jus Jim]

 

[McCracken]

I bought my rope from Custom Splice. I've had some pretty rough pulls and I was surprised by the strength. My only concern is the UV exposure and degradation over time.