Synthetic vs Wire rope pro’s/con’s

[baldilocks]

I’m going to buy a new Warn 12k winch for my 80 soon. I’ve had some experience with synthetic line but mostly with steel.

The synthetic is easier to handle but it seems to me that’s the only advantage. IME the steel line holds up much better to rough service and the elements allowing it to stay in service much longer and is simply more fool proof.

I’m looking for opinions and experience to assist me in making this decision.

 

[gnob]

Thread 'Synthetic Rope'

May 8, 2018

I know that 'Cheap' and 'Good' don't always go together, but does anyone have experience with the lower priced synthetic ropes?

I'm looking for 3/8" x 100' for my Warn 8274. This is NOT a primary vehicle recovery winch. More of a utility winch, since it's mounted on a portable carrier (mounts in a 2" receiver hitch). And because of that, I want to keep the weight down as much as possible.

Even thought the roller fairlead is brand new, I may swap it out for an aluminum hawse. Again to keep weight down (this sucker is heavy...)

Any recommends?

• Hack
• Replies: 66
• Forum: Winching and Recovery

 

[pb4ugo]

I think it depends on how you're going to use the winch. On the trail, I think you'll find folks that won't want to be hooked up to a steel cable. Personally, I use my winch in an environment where I don't think a synthetic rope will survive.

 

[woody]

I've been a synthetic line user for...mmm....15 years? Maybe longer. (back in the RockStomper days) The ease of handling the line is so superior versus steel. Easier to wrap onto the spool, no random wires to cut your hands, it floats, easy to clean, most are UV stable, etc. I prefer my lines un-sleeved, and I carry a couple velcro-on line protectors.

Steel is great for commercial use, where you have strict control over the recovery process. The chance of line damage (Ie: crushing on the drum during pulls when the line loosens/crosses) is almost guaranteed.

I run all my lines 25% short of max drum capacity. MOST pulls are in the 25-50' range, and max winching power is on the inner wraps, so it helps the winch work at it's greatest capacity. I carry a 50' synthetic extension line for those times when the anchor point is further away. I also have a variety of synthetic slings for wrapping around sliders, axle housings, thru wheels etc....

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I lied, it's been 20+ years

Thread 'synthetic winch rope'

Apr 6, 2004

anyone using the syn winch rope? Wondering if it's worth the $650 posted in 4wheel parts catalogs. Also wondering if there is significant savings in weight with the syn verses steal?

Just trying not to :bust: :bust2:

• concretejungle
• Replies: 17
• Forum: Winching and Recovery

 

[baldilocks]

I've been a synthetic line user for...mmm....15 years? Maybe longer. (back in the RockStomper days) The ease of handling the line is so superior versus steel. Easier to wrap onto the spool, no random wires to cut your hands, it floats, easy to clean, most are UV stable, etc. I prefer my lines un-sleeved, and I carry a couple velcro-on line protectors.

Steel is great for commercial use, where you have strict control over the recovery process. The chance of line damage (Ie: crushing on the drum during pulls when the line loosens/crosses) is almost guaranteed.

I run all my lines 25% short of max drum capacity. MOST pulls are in the 25-50' range, and max winching power is on the inner wraps, so it helps the winch work at it's greatest capacity. I carry a 50' synthetic extension line for those times when the anchor point is further away. I also have a variety of synthetic slings for wrapping around sliders, axle housings, thru wheels etc....

------------------
I lied, it's been 20+ years

Thread 'synthetic winch rope'

Apr 6, 2004

anyone using the syn winch rope? Wondering if it's worth the $650 posted in 4wheel parts catalogs. Also wondering if there is significant savings in weight with the syn verses steal?

Just trying not to :bust: :bust2:

• concretejungle
• Replies: 17
• Forum: Winching and Recovery

Thanks for pointing out that most synthetic lines are UV stable, that was one of my concerns because I’m not interested in spending the amount of money necessary to by a new line ever couple years due to UV exposure. I also hadn’t considered the fact that the synthetic line floats.

 

[baldilocks]

I think it depends on how you're going to use the winch. On the trail, I think you'll find folks that won't want to be hooked up to a steel cable. Personally, I use my winch in an environment where I don't think a synthetic rope will survive.

What sort of environment are you using your winch in where synthetic would not survive.

 

[pb4ugo]

What sort of environment are you using your winch in where synthetic would not survive.

Maybe 10% of my use now is for vehicle recovery, which is usually my 40. The rest of the time, I'm in heavily wooded areas pulling logs so I can get them close enuff to get a choker on them and drag them to the splitter or a mill. The cable gets dragged thru mud and over logs and rocks. Even for vehicle recovery, I'm old school and have never had a problem with using a steel cable. If somebody objects to the cable, then somebody else can volunteer.

 

[baldilocks]

Maybe 10% of my use now is for vehicle recovery, which is usually my 40. The rest of the time, I'm in heavily wooded areas pulling logs so I can get them close enuff to get a choker on them and drag them to the splitter or a mill. The cable gets dragged thru mud and over logs and rocks. Even for vehicle recovery, I'm old school and have never had a problem with using a steel cable. If somebody objects to the cable, then somebody else can volunteer.

This is what I said in my opening post. You can drag, under tension, the steel rope over rocks without so much concern. I’ve never had a steel rope break nor have I ever seen one break in person. It was the only thing available until recent years and no one ever thought twice about it, just drape something over it and those who doubt can stand back. Truth be told, I’ve never draped anything over a steel winch line.

I guess my main concern with the synthetic lines is sliding it over rocks and such under tension. The one synthetic line I did use in the past got fuzzy looking and that bugged me.

I texted a buddy of mine who is on here and a very avid wheeler, mostly rock crawling, and he told me his synthetic line is 12 years old so there is that…