im noticing that buying a winch with synthetic line is many hundreds of dollars more exp than buying the same winch with wire rope line. why is this? also it appears it would be cheaper to buy the winch (wire rope model) and buy a synthetic line to replace and re spool. are the winches with synthetic line different than the ones that come with wire rope? the winch I'm looking at to purchase are either the warn M8000 or the super winch 8000.
synthetic line on any (wire rope) winch??
- Thread starter fattires
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Southeast Overland
Get lost! Go explore!
Synthetic winch line is more expensive than steel winch cable, hence the higher price for a winch with synthetic line.
If you want synthetic line from the start then it will be cheaper to buy a winch with synthetic line, than buying a winch with steel cable, selling the cable, and then buying synthetic line.
The biggest difference you will see between a winch with synthetic versus cable is the fairlead. Synthetic line likes to be used with a aluminum hawse fairlead where as steel cable is usually used with a set of steel rollers.
If you want synthetic line from the start then it will be cheaper to buy a winch with synthetic line, than buying a winch with steel cable, selling the cable, and then buying synthetic line.
The biggest difference you will see between a winch with synthetic versus cable is the fairlead. Synthetic line likes to be used with a aluminum hawse fairlead where as steel cable is usually used with a set of steel rollers.
Thats because you are paying for convenience, I suppose.
The winches themselves are identical, aside from what Steve mentioned and that being the fairlead.
I have found some of the manufacturers data and numbers regarding the synthetic line they use to be a bit ambiguous. For instance, Smittybilt lists a 21/64 line rated at 8,000 pounds on the XRC8 and 21/64 on the XRC10 rated at 10,000.
IMO, you are on the right track. Buy the winch you want and pick up the line elsewhere. Let the winch makers do what they do best and let the rope folks do that they do best.
The winches themselves are identical, aside from what Steve mentioned and that being the fairlead.
I have found some of the manufacturers data and numbers regarding the synthetic line they use to be a bit ambiguous. For instance, Smittybilt lists a 21/64 line rated at 8,000 pounds on the XRC8 and 21/64 on the XRC10 rated at 10,000.
IMO, you are on the right track. Buy the winch you want and pick up the line elsewhere. Let the winch makers do what they do best and let the rope folks do that they do best.
1911
chupacabra
In my experience, synthetic line does fine with a roller fairlead also, as long as the rollers are new and not nicked and cut up from previous steel wire line.
Southeast Overland
Get lost! Go explore!
Synthetic line can be used with steel rollers - but - if the rollers have been used with steel cable and get nicked up, or if they lock into place and stop rolling, the synthetic line can be abraded easier than with an aluminum hawse fairlead.
Where do you get synthetic for $175? 3/8"? what break rating and what brand? Also what length? There are some cheaper synthetic cable extensions but they arent very long to fill up a winch drum.
Are you considering the more expensive cable hooks and eyelet that are installed on synthetic cable as well?
Have a look at runva winches or some of the newer cheap winch brands like engel out there to compare pricing.
$175 is not out of line for a 5/16 x 100'. But in 3/8 it'll be closer to $240. That is without a hook, Amsteel Blue.
I'm looking on line at the warn M8000 steal line for $592 & the synthetic version M8000 for $995.. That's 400 for a friggen synthetic line. Give me a break!! Put some lube on that line please. I'll purchase the synthetic line separate. I see em on eBay for half that price.
I was looking at the super winch $299 or the warn M8000 $575. Im in thmarket for a winch and know nothing but the reviews posted and seem similar in performance and reviews. Warn has a power out otherwise similar performance. For half the price if I go super winch.
So I could get the super winch for 299 add synthetic line and still be less that the warn. What do you guys think?
So I could get the super winch for 299 add synthetic line and still be less that the warn. What do you guys think?
Last edited:
No experience with them. The lifetime warranty sounds good and the price on the 11K with synthetic isnt bad.
go for it.
superwinch has a pretty good reputation, though im sure every brand has folks who have broken them, but it should be alright, make sure you get the appropriate fairlead though.
The rollers sound like less friction and more functional than the flat aluminum plate...??
Southeast Overland
Get lost! Go explore!
Steel can bur from cable or other impacts and then fray synthetic line. Steel rollers also stick out farther and are heavier than aluminum. Steel rollers also can rust in place and then they aren't "rollers" anymore.
Just want to add to what Steve has said.... if the tolerances where the rollers intersect at each corner are large, they are pinch points for the line. Ideally the rollers should almost touch at the intersections.
I did have 1 customer melt his line using a hawse lead. He had been engaged in a heavy pull, and stopped to let the winch cool... Where the line had been rubbing against the fairlead got hot and melted the line from it resting against the lead. Only time I have ever heard of that happening.
Tight well lubes rollers.. Got it! Hmmmmm sounds like prom night
If you are trying to save money, just buy the winch with steel, then buy bulk syn line and a tube thimble. Use the hook from the steel cable and you are good to go with the lowest price. Will you have the best hook, no. Will you have a aluminum fairlead, no. But, it will work.
Redden Marine has the 3/8" amsteel for 2.11 per foot.
http://www.reddenmarine.com/samson-rope-amsteel-blue-foot.html
Just get 4' longer than you want the line off the winch. you will need 6"-9" tail on the winch drum and at least 24" will be the bury for the eye. Factor in the eye and little extra gives you the 4' more. But you could easily only go with an extra 3'.
But it will still run you around $180 - $190 factoring in shipping and tax if needed.
However, compare that to Viking's 3/8"x100 with excel hook: $373.
http://www.vikingoffroad.com/produc...hline-%2d-Black-w{47}Tube-Thimble-&-Hook.html
Or MasterPull $408
http://www.masterpull.com/item/WG038100R/
Redden Marine has the 3/8" amsteel for 2.11 per foot.
http://www.reddenmarine.com/samson-rope-amsteel-blue-foot.html
Just get 4' longer than you want the line off the winch. you will need 6"-9" tail on the winch drum and at least 24" will be the bury for the eye. Factor in the eye and little extra gives you the 4' more. But you could easily only go with an extra 3'.
But it will still run you around $180 - $190 factoring in shipping and tax if needed.
However, compare that to Viking's 3/8"x100 with excel hook: $373.
http://www.vikingoffroad.com/produc...hline-%2d-Black-w{47}Tube-Thimble-&-Hook.html
Or MasterPull $408
http://www.masterpull.com/item/WG038100R/
Southeast Overland
Get lost! Go explore!
Some of the hooks that come on steel line are quite different than the hooks Southeast Overland, or other synthetic winch line companies use. We use Excel hooks which are quite beefier than what comes on many steel lines. Put 'em side by side and there is not even a comparison to be made.
Southeast Overland has bulk line for sale too. And we are a site sponsor.
5/16" currently runs $1.79 / ft.
5/16" bulk line at Southeast Overland
And 3/8" currently runs $2.09 / ft.
3/8" bulk line at Southeast Overland
In both 3/8" and 5/16" we have dark green, blue, and orange in stock, along with all the thimbles and hooks you could need if you wanted to splice your own line.
Winch line accessories at Southeast Overland
If anyone ever wants to splice their own line (and they know how to splice line) then feel free to give us a call (864-280-4238) and we can hook you up with all the parts you need.
Or if you want a complete line, our best selling line is 3/8" x 85' with a tube thimble and Excel hook, 12' drum wrap, and 10' abrasion guard for $294.95, and prices start at $239.95 for 3/8" x 85' lines.
3/8" Amsteel Blue winch lines at Southeast Overland
We have orange, blue, and dark green in stock, and can get any other color you want that Samson (manufacturer of Amsteel Blue) sells.
eventhough,
I 100% agree about the hook on steel lines. I feel they are vastly inferior to the Excel hook. It was only meant for the insanely cash strapped. If any has even the slightest bit of extra money to spend on the excel, I will second eventhough's recommendation. I personally run the huge 7/8"-1/2" hook on my 3/8" line with the giant tube thimble. Even if someone went with the old Steel Rope hook, I would recommend moving to the Excel soon afterwords. It is so easy to open those up and swith out Eyes, Hooks, etc that no one should worry that if you don't do with the best stuff at first you will never be able to change it.
Also, eventhough, that is the best price I have ever seen on 3/8. I might be calling you soon as I want to build a longer winch extension.
I 100% agree about the hook on steel lines. I feel they are vastly inferior to the Excel hook. It was only meant for the insanely cash strapped. If any has even the slightest bit of extra money to spend on the excel, I will second eventhough's recommendation. I personally run the huge 7/8"-1/2" hook on my 3/8" line with the giant tube thimble. Even if someone went with the old Steel Rope hook, I would recommend moving to the Excel soon afterwords. It is so easy to open those up and swith out Eyes, Hooks, etc that no one should worry that if you don't do with the best stuff at first you will never be able to change it.
Also, eventhough, that is the best price I have ever seen on 3/8. I might be calling you soon as I want to build a longer winch extension.
