longevity of synthetic winch rope

[lx450landcruiser]

well got a winch for christmas but the cable on is needs to be replaced i like the idea of running rope over steel but i am concerned about longevity? Truck is parked outside and the winch doesnt (or shouldnt see much use) its there for back up. I live in washington state half the year and colorado the other half so is rope going to last? also any recomandations on what brand -were to buy?

oh and merry christmas

thanks
mike

 

[woody]

I've bought all my recent stuff form Winchline.com....no complaints, and lots of hook options....

the rope on my FJ40 is still good after 4 years, but it's getting worn....I just pulled the rope from the 80 and moved it over and put on new stuff....

 

[bigndn]

I had Masterpull on my M12000. It came with the rig. It broke the second time I used it. It seemed pretty degraded. Back to aircraft cable.

I had Amsteel on my ATV winch for the plow. Yep, broke it. Tied it off, broke it again. Back to aircraft cable.

For myself, I can't justify the cost of synthetic over cable. I use my winches less than 6 times per year, though, some of these guys are using theirs 6 times a week or more. I can get 3-4 cables made for the cost of 1 synthetic winch rope. Just my .02.

 

[1shot1kill]

I have used mine 6 times. So far so good! It is three years old now! I have cable with me just in case it breaks.

 

[e9999]

if you are going to be using your rope over rocks or to drag stuff on the ground, wire rope would likely prove more durable I would assume.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

if you are going to be using your rope over rocks or to drag stuff on the ground, wire rope would likely prove more durable I would assume.

Most synthetic lines come with sleeve protectors. And I don't know when you'd drag your winch line on the ground on a pull, it should always be taut between the winch and the object.

 

[flintknapper]

Most synthetic lines come with sleeve protectors. And I don't know when you'd drag your winch line on the ground on a pull, it should always be taut between the winch and the object.

Synthetic wouldn't work for me at all.

I have had my winch cable "on the ground", around trees, over limbs, etc...more times than I can count. In fact...that is more the "norm" than not.

I use my winch most often for utility purposes around the ranch... than for vehicle recovery...but I can easily imagine a scenario where your anchor point was on the "flat" of hill above you...causing the line to be in contact with the ground.

Synthetic is light...but its not for everyone.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I agree-In granite environments, it seems winch cable is always sitting on a berm, or touching a rock during a recovery and the like. Steel cable is good stuff-cheap, abrasion resistant, strong, reliable, unaffected by UV. It has it's problems just like synthetic rope has it's problems. I have seen the synthetic rope part under tension after just touching the ground during a pull. I've never seen wire rope part, though obviously it's more dangerous if it does.

Anyone have synthetic rope that is over 4 years old that is still good? I don't know how long it lasts, but I wouldn't want to bet my truck on a 5 year old synthetic cable.

 

[woody]

if you are winching yourself free, the rope stays stationary....the vehicle moves towards the anchor point....the sleeves work great for these situations to keep the rope from being damaged

if you wheel with a bunch of cheap non-winch owning losers and are stuck using your expensive equipment to drag their sorry stuck butts around, then your rope is much more likely to be "moving" as you pull their worthless incapable rigs towards you....wire rope is best then.....

 

[Gold Boy]

both have there place i would think the type of wheeling your into would dictate which you use....

if you are into rock crawling and the alike, i could see the synthetic cable being an advantage due to the fact it's easy and fast to extract...

steel cable is more durable for back country all round wheeling type use, and for those of us who hardly use a winch..

imo

 

[e9999]

I would think that if you have synth and are in a sunny area, a cover on the drum and rope (e.g. garbage bag if you're cheap or lazy like me) would help reduce UV damage to the rope.

 

[flintknapper]

if you are winching yourself free, the rope stays stationary....the vehicle moves towards the anchor point....the sleeves work great for these situations to keep the rope from being damaged

if you wheel with a bunch of cheap non-winch owning losers and are stuck using your expensive equipment to drag their sorry stuck butts around, then your rope is much more likely to be "moving" as you pull their worthless incapable rigs towards you....wire rope is best then.....

 

[jonheld]

I have the Amsteel blue line on mine. I switched after watching a cable snap during a recovery and shear off 3 saplings at around knee level. Synth is not for everyone, but I will always have it on my winch and replace it as needed. Just like tires, winch line (synth or cable), recovery straps, tree savers, etc. are consumables and should be replaced periodically.

 

[FJ40_owner]

Amstel Blue

Is what I use. I have had it for four years now and I use my winch to self recover and pull others out. I use it allot. 20-30 times per year and more. One time I doubled it up with a snatch block to recover a fat POS H2 that was stuck in wet snow up to his frame.

I use it in the snow and on the Granite. I am careful to keep it free of sand and dirt and inspect it often.

My rope was given to me. Our group chose to use the rope from a safety standpoint. It does not store near the Kinectic energy the wire rope does. Nor do you have to worry about cable splinters. Also the rope is way more manageable when free spooling.

My rope came with a 10 foot protective sleeve that I use to protect the rope from abrasion over rocks.

I have not heard of the rope degrading due to UV. Excuse me while I Google Amstel.

JB

 

[4xJunkie]

Hello

I have had my rope for about 4-5 years, been used countless number of times.
So far no problems, it does show a little from useage, but it won't stay new forever.

As far as who to recommend, Winchline.com

They are located in Ferndale.

 

[4xJunkie]

Just like tires, winch line (synth or cable), recovery straps, tree savers, etc. are consumables and should be replaced periodically.

I fully agree. I wish more people saw it this way.