using steel cable as winch line extension...safe?

[rc51kid]

So i switched to synthetic line and had a bunch of good steel rope. I trimmed off about 40" that was in good shape, has the thimble on one end. Went to get another thimble put on the other end so i can use it as extension. The rigging shop eventually called back and said there boss didnt want to mess with it and they offered to make a completely new one for me. it was really reasonable. 46' new line, 2 new thimbles and 2 new hooks for about $45. That is WAY less than synthetic line. Also if i have to run it someplace like near exhaust pipes of something sharp i wont mess up my synthetic line. That was the thinking.

But as i thought about it i started to get concerned. I know the synthetic line does not sore energy like the steel line if it breaks. But the section of steel still would. Try to picture this scenario. my truck with 80' of synthetic line run out. A shackle attaching it to the steel line then that run out 40' to another shackle at the anchor. So if the steel line broke the shackle at the anchor will still be fixed tot he anchor point. But the shackle connecting the synthetic line tot he steel line would be free to move with the broken steel line. In theory i would not be using the steel line unless the anchor was more than 90' away and i needed more length. So that shackle should be pretty far away from my truck. But we all know that things dont always work like that in the real world.

Do you guys think that the energy in the steel line would be enough to sling the shackle in a dangerous way? or am i just over thinking this?

I really dislike working with steel since i have switched to synthetic. But the synthetic extensions can cost 5 times as much. For twice as much i could add a extra snatch strap that would be a little shorter. But also give me a lot more flexibility during recovery efforts.

What do you guys think?

 

[cruiserpilot]

I carry two extra rolls of wire rope when I go on solo trips up north. Just put damper on the wire rope,
like a jacket or rug or floor mat as normal - you always put something to damp the load in wire rope.

 

[Jason hansen]

X2 on the dampener. We were trying to ge a f550 bucket truck up to a radio tower in the mountains above moab. I was blazing a trail in a snow cat and the bucket truck was following. The bucket truck got stuck in a big drift and we broke the steel winch line. I wove a Molly hogan eye in the 3/8 winch line and used it as a tow strap to pull the bucket out backwards.

 

[cruiserpilot]

I was looking on amazon the other day, they did seem to carry a selection of synthetic recovery line
for pretty reasonable price. Might be interesting to invest in their line and try it out.
I have to agree, carrying an extra 150' of wore rope is awkward at best. I let it lay on the floor under
everything, but don't put duffles or anything that can chafe through.

 

[DirtScaresMe]

I try to carry all the stuff I need to do it the right/safest way, but sometimes I end up hooking a bunch of questionable s*** together because it's either that or just sit there with thumb in ass.

I like the idea of carrying extra wire rope; right now I've been hooking straps together at the end of the cable. Again, not because I think it's a good idea, but just because it worked.

I saw a ghetto strap part yesterday, sending the flying metal hook of the cheap gear into a dude's hood.

 

[cruiserpilot]

ghetto strap part yesterday, sending the flying metal hook of the cheap gear

That pretty much clearly states this issue, and subsequent problem.

 

[half k cruiser]

I try to carry all the stuff I need to do it the right/safest way, but sometimes I end up hooking a bunch of questionable s*** together because it's either that or just sit there with thumb in ass.

So when guys are completely honest like this, it really cracks me up. Bravo to you for fessing up to what everyone else is probably doing ! @rc51kid the biggest thing I can see is that the steel cable is not as easily stowed. You can't coil it up tight like the synthetic and stash it in a small place. As far as it letting go, girth hitch the farthest shackle (the one around the anchor) I like to use a 6ft sling for this. Attach the free end of the sling to another anchor, that will make sure that the farthest shackle is unable to fly back toward your vehicle.

 

[izzyandsue]

Steel line can be use safely, but I rather avoid it completely. Bang for buck, these are good ones. I have the 5/16, very light and very strong.

Superline Winch Line Extension

 

[DirtScaresMe]

I might gram some amsteel / dyneema. It can get expensive at $4/foot, but that's for 34,000 pound breaking strengths: Samson AmSteel-Blue Single Braid

It's relatively straightforward to make eyelets out of the stuff. Super light, super strong. We used it all the time in the maritime world.

Here's 14,000 pound tensile for $1.89 foot : Samson AmSteel-Blue Single Braid

 

[Willard]

I have a Jet hand winch with is a clone of the Tifor winch and use steel cable all of the time (no synthetic though it) like others said just used something as a dampener as your fine. If your gear is in good shape then use it.

 

[Jason hansen]

We have synthetic and steel winch lines on our company trucks. It seems like the steel is more durable. We have broke many winch lines trying to get to power poles and patrolling. Usually I just stand in the clear and don't use a dampener (because they are old trucks) and haven't had a problem. If it is my personal truck them I use a dampener. I think the main danger is when tow ropes or straps that stretch excessively are use with chains or winch lines.