winch cable or rope?

marty79

marty79

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2013
Location
Newton, NC
this might have been discussed already but looking to order a winch and undecided about rope vs steel cable. somebody give me some insight of i guess why it's better to go with the rope?! thanks
 
What I've heard (besides the obvious weight savings) is that the stored energy in rope on a heavy pull is much less than that of a cable....in the event of a breakage, the rope would typically fall to the ground. Stored energy in a cable usually ends up in some whipping, situation depending. Said whipping can result in some very ugly things, depending on where people are standing.
 
Scooter402 said:
Stored energy in a cable usually ends up in some whipping, situation depending. Said whipping can result in some very ugly things, depending on where people are standing.
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that's a very good point. I'm always sketched out when you hear the creeks and stuff pulling heavy on a cable lol. that's about enough reason to go with rope I reckon.
 
Rope is lighter, safer, easier on the hands, more flexible etc

it’s also more sensitive to sun degradation, mildew, and abrasion.
 
I switched from cable to rope years ago. The winch I just replaced my old one with came with synthetic rope. I won't go back to cable.

I have seen cable let go. It's scary dangerous. I also have seen rope let go. It just drops.

I have 5 years on my old rope. It now resides in my Jeep in case I need more rope for a recovery. Yup, it's well used but it's still solid. I used it as an extension the other day in taking down a 100' Oak tree. I put a lot of strain on that rope, no issues.
 
I switched everything over to rope as well...(wife’s Jeep, my Jeep, trailer and the trail rig) I feel better knowing that if it fails, no one gets hurt or dead.
You do have to be a little more vigilant and replace it when needed, but a little extra money for the added safety is more than worth it in my book.
 
I don't see how this still even a question...

Rope all day
 
Cable. It's better than satellite and more reliable, and usually cheaper.
 
There’s no way in my lifetime I’ll EVER go back to cable.

Yes it frays and you have to watch it over rocks sometimes but the cost to replace it (less than $100) I’ll just replace it when needed. Quick and easy to splice back together with no tools if it does break.

And in the event that it does break and fly back, it might whip someone and leave welp but it won’t remove a limb or kill someone.

When winching with rope we stand close by and direct the driver. If someone has a cable, we are all hiding as far away as possible.
 
77GreenMachine said:
There’s no way in my lifetime I’ll EVER go back to cable.

Yes it frays and you have to watch it over rocks sometimes but the cost to replace it (less than $100) I’ll just replace it when needed. Quick and easy to splice back together with no tools if it does break.

And in the event that it does break and fly back, it might whip someone and leave welp but it won’t remove a limb or kill someone.

When winching with rope we stand close by and direct the driver. If someone has a cable, we are all hiding as far away as possible.
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didnt know you knew what a winch was...
thought you made it, broke it or rolled it.
 
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