Let's Talk About Winches! (not Wenches!)
Ok, here is what I'm doing: I am going to buy a 12k winch, and mount it to my 35' trailer, to load shipping containers and such.
I keep seeing this "Synthetic rope" stuff on some winches. Is it like climbing rope or something? It is about $100-200 more for the synthetic rope than plain ole steel cable, which is what I'm used to.
Any better than steel? Does it rot in the sun? Break easier? Is it worth the extra money?
Fill me in, I'm all ears, as they say.
Merc
I keep seeing this "Synthetic rope" stuff on some winches. Is it like climbing rope or something? It is about $100-200 more for the synthetic rope than plain ole steel cable, which is what I'm used to.
Any better than steel? Does it rot in the sun? Break easier? Is it worth the extra money?
Fill me in, I'm all ears, as they say.
Merc
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first thing I would think of, is it stretchy. unlike steel. 0 -
I thought we were going to talk about women. Oh well, never mind. 0 -
Rope would be a tough sell for me personally even though steel is a pain, I'd do a hell of a lot of research on rope before committing to those type loads, I'm sure your doing that though. 0 -
A friend of mine swears by the rope. Lighter, easier to spool, and more on the spool. If I ever wear out my cable I think I will try the rope. Let me know if you get it and how you like it. 0 -
warn winches offer 6 different winches pre-wrapped with rope vs cable. That says there is something to it all right. 0 -
Climbing ropes are kernmantle in structure. German for kernel with a covering mantle. The kernel can be twisted or braided (11 or 12 strand braids, or more) and can be designed to be either static (non-stretchy) or elastic depending upon use. For rappeling or moving loads static is preferable, while elastic ropes are used to belay climbers, so if they do fall the stop is not sudden.
I see no reason a static rope of the right diameter would not be quite strong enough, but if nylon, there will be deterioration over time, primarily from UV exposure.
The winch in my bed came with steel cable, but it Is smaller.0 -
Steel cable is solid. Only problem is oxidation. In coastal areas where the air is salty. Rust is a factor. 0 -
redneckandy wrote:A friend of mine swears by the rope. Lighter, easier to spool, and more on the spool. If I ever wear out my cable I think I will try the rope. Let me know if you get it and how you like it.
We have the synthetic rope on the son's Cherokee
Mostly a beach vehicle so rust was a factor on the choice.
It won't cut your head off if it snaps too.0 -
almost everyone I hunt with have replaced there steel cable with rope/strap on their side by sides. cable has a bad habit of rusting and then binding up if not used a lot, of course we are only talking about 2500-3500 lb winches not the real heavy duty type you are talking about. I spool mine out about every 2-3 months just to wipe it down and rewrap the spool just in case........ doesn't do you any good when you need it if it won't unwrap or worse yet breaks 0 -
I would rather talk about wenches 0 -
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Looks to me like stainless steel cable would be the way to go in areas where salt is a problem. 0 -
Another down side to steel cable is that over time it can fray. Grabbing on to it bare handed will certainly let you know if it has done so!! 
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Can't recall seeing a roll back or crane use a rope 0 -
Much higher weights.select-fire wrote:Can't recall seeing a roll back or crane use a rope
Roll offs DRAG up 20k of concrete often. I crossed the scales with a tri axle with a 30yd box of Concrete - 105,000 GVW :shock:
Do it wrong and when one breaks the cable, it could cut a truck cab in half.
I've broke 3. 3 pairs of under ware and pants too.
BTW the huge container ships at the port use rope not cable.
IDK why - but they out weigh most everything.0
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