I'm split: 50% say use steel here in the desert and minor rocks. The other 50% say go synthetic. Where is the best/cheap place to get synthetic in less than 10 days? I can get steel quick and cheap. So...........ideas????
?Steel Winch Line or Synthetic Rope in/for AZ?
- Thread starter bdiemer
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Personally I would stick with steel, The possibility of rubbing a rope on a rock is too great in my opinion.
You never know, Ive rubbed my winch line on a rock winching over it.
Bout the only time you would actually be "rubbing" is when you are winching someone else..
Honestly, I love my synthetic line. I have much more ignorance of it and it seems to last longer with the way I deal with it.
Honestly, I love my synthetic line. I have much more ignorance of it and it seems to last longer with the way I deal with it.
Most any vendor can you rope in a few days. They make scuff protectors can go over synthetic to stop rubbing on rocks. Rope is also easy to splice should you misuse it and break it. Its much much safer make sure the rope you get has uv protection cheaper lines do not. I have amsteel and and has held up very well more user friendy and safer
Synthetic all the way.
I get pissed when I have to work someone's winch for them and they have steel. Steel is heavy, it is cumbersome and it is dangerous when it breaks.
If it breaks, you are screwed. If the synthetic breaks, you tie it back together and winch on.
No brainer.
Rockstomper.com is where I have always purchased mine. Scott is a great guy.
I get pissed when I have to work someone's winch for them and they have steel. Steel is heavy, it is cumbersome and it is dangerous when it breaks.
If it breaks, you are screwed. If the synthetic breaks, you tie it back together and winch on.
No brainer.
Rockstomper.com is where I have always purchased mine. Scott is a great guy.
1911
chupacabra
I got mine from Rockstomper.com quick service and good people to deal with, will buy from them again.
As a teenager, I almost lost my leg when a winch cable broke and went through my knee. Thankfully it hit the tendon which made the cable rotate and come out between the bone and the other side's tendon. Otherwise, I would have been outfitted with a wooden leg.
Cables are dangerous, cumbersome, heavy... and I am scared of them. If you use them... make sure you "blanket" the cable.
Cables are dangerous, cumbersome, heavy... and I am scared of them. If you use them... make sure you "blanket" the cable.
I've used cable clamps when I broke a steel cable. So to say you're screwed if a cable brakes simply isn't accurate. Mine was starting to fray at a point so I cut it and re-clamped it. You may have a shorter cable, but it can be repaired. I have an 8274, so I've got lots of line. In my experience breaking a cable means you either haven't replaced it when you should and it's in poor condition or your kinking it somehow. If it's the proper size/strength for your winch and you use it properly, it's very unlikely to snap.
That said, if my cable wears out on mine, I'll replace it with synthetic. Unless you use it a lot it probably isn't going to wear out. I'd just make sure to keep it covered. Even if it is UV resistant, it will still likely break down over the years if exposed to a lot of UV rays. It's safer, easier on the hands, and lighter. All good things IMO.
That said, if my cable wears out on mine, I'll replace it with synthetic. Unless you use it a lot it probably isn't going to wear out. I'd just make sure to keep it covered. Even if it is UV resistant, it will still likely break down over the years if exposed to a lot of UV rays. It's safer, easier on the hands, and lighter. All good things IMO.
You may can knot a cable at the hook at best, but that is going to take a ton of cable to mak it stay without clamps.
I guess if I had cable, I theoretically could carry cable clamps in my spare parts/bolt box, but 99% wont have them on the trail so I again say, most are screwed when their steel winch cable snaps.
In my 40 years I have seen many, many winch cables break. They scare me for sure as well.
The advantage of knotting synnthetic rope is that you can wind the knot into the spool on the drum. Trying to get a clamped or knotted cable through a fairlead is not happening.
If I were going into a survival situation and I was making everything the strongest and most reliable were my life depended on it, I would pick steel over rope. The other 99.99% of us are better suited with lighter, easier to handle synthetic winch rope.
I guess if I had cable, I theoretically could carry cable clamps in my spare parts/bolt box, but 99% wont have them on the trail so I again say, most are screwed when their steel winch cable snaps.
In my 40 years I have seen many, many winch cables break. They scare me for sure as well.
The advantage of knotting synnthetic rope is that you can wind the knot into the spool on the drum. Trying to get a clamped or knotted cable through a fairlead is not happening.
If I were going into a survival situation and I was making everything the strongest and most reliable were my life depended on it, I would pick steel over rope. The other 99.99% of us are better suited with lighter, easier to handle synthetic winch rope.
The best solution I have found is a combo of both. I use synthetic on the drum, and love it! But I also carry a 25' steel cable extension to use for "abrasive" situations over rocks and stuff.
I just do not think it's smart enough, why not a synthetic extension with rock guard?
