Winch Lines

[Smoothbassman]

Well I have made about 3 repairs to my winchline over the past year and over the weekend I spooled it out and found, that I only have about 25 feet left on a 50" winch cable. I am going to buy a new line, and wanted to see what diameter winch line people are using out there.

I'm considering using 1/4" synthetic over the standard 3/16" Its only ten bucks more and gives you more pull strength. You think the extra 1/16" per wrap will fit on a standard winch spool?

[B-Dubya]

Now that is a tough question. I do highly recommend going with synthetic. They tend to have a higher load capactity and don't fray so you won't cut your hands accidently. Something to keep in mind when going with synthetic is that if you ever go over sharp edges, that can really put wear on them quick, but if you mainly pull up enbdankments or just straight out, you should be OK. Just something to consider about how you use your line.

Buster

[B-Dubya]

I will say my Warn XT25 that comes standard with 3/16 synthetic has the sppol pretty full. I doubt 1/4 inch would fit on mine.

[Smoothbassman]

Originally Posted by B-Dubya

I will say my Warn XT25 that comes standard with 3/16 synthetic has the sppol pretty full. I doubt 1/4 inch would fit on mine.

Yeah, I was looking at it some more after posting the question. I don't need 8,000 pounds of capacity for a 800 pound rig. If I need some more capacity I can use a snatch block.

[Cadman]

I have the amsteel blue cable and I love it. Its extremly durable and light. Synthetic is the way to go but use a chaff guard if your pulling over rocks.

[Gunny]

I swapped my cable out for rope some time back. I was gonna say I had 50 ft of 1/4 inch, but thinking about it, I believe it's 3/16's.

I got 50 ft of 3/16" rope, with the chaff covering Cadman mentioned, the polished Hawse fairlead & the Rubber Bumper for $90 off e-bay.

One thing to remember when putting a winch line on a winch. Always check the breaking strength of the line you put on your winch. You want the line to be the "Weak" point or you'll break something in the winch.

And like ya wrote Smoothbassman ... you can always use a snatch block without hurting the winch

[the fuzz]

you have BROKEN the 3/16 line that many times?? WOW! I thought the breaking streanth of it was like 5,400lbs.?? i was thinking of replacing my cable with the 3/16 ! but idk now ??

[Smoothbassman]

Originally Posted by the fuzz

you have BROKEN the 3/16 line that many times?? WOW! I thought the breaking streanth of it was like 5,400lbs.?? i was thinking of replacing my cable with the 3/16 ! but idk now ??

Let me go back a bit and tell the story.

I found out that my roller fairlead was getting jammed up with ice causing the rope to become frayed as it passed back and forth across the rollers. Eventually the rope would give and snap right off.

Since switching to a hause fairlead and some new 3/16 cable, my rope lasted the rest of the winter and has done some serious pulls this season with not one fray. My new rope also has the 10" abrasion cover on it, which helps out a lot as well. The hause fairlead is the way to go with synthetic rope.

I took the remainder of my old winch line and made an 25" extension that I can reach out and grab someone with. Came in handy about 6 weeks ago as a buddy on my ride was about 60' feet out in this lake and I was able to reach him from the shore.

Fuzz don't worry about it, synthetic cable is way better than steel. Go with it you will not be disappointed if you have the right setup.

[the fuzz]

So Basssman did you up grade the size of your rope from 3/16 to 1/4in. my winch is a 3k lb. ?? and does the rope have any effect if it does get wet and freezes ??

thanks

[Smoothbassman]

Originally Posted by the fuzz

So Basssman did you up grade the size of your rope from 3/16 to 1/4in. my winch is a 3k lb. ?? and does the rope have any effect if it does get wet and freezes ??

thanks

I went with the 3/16" as the larger cable was overkill for my 3500 pound winch. The 1/4" is for UTV type 5000 pound and up applications.

There is no effect on the cable when it gets wet.

I didn't see it freeze up since the 10' "Rock Guard covers the first part of my winch line.

Just for maintenance this year I have done tis procedure.

After a muddy pull i unspool the cable out past the muddy part, rinse my winch spool off and dunk my line in a bucket of water and shake it. After rinsing it off I lay it out on my driveway to dry and then I inspect it. If it's all good I tie it to a tree in my backyard and spool it up under tension.

No issues so far and I haven't had a broken line since February.