Steel or synthetic

harryron

The Grumpiest of Mid-Westerners
Location
ohio
Ok, I just bought my first winch and I have multiple questions and this is the first one for now; So let's get this discussion started. What is the better choice using the steel cable that comes with it or get some synthetic rope for it and why? I know the steel cable adds more weight to the front.

sent from the middle of a corn field.
 

Joey

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Indianapolis
I think you answered your question. The cable weights more, it also last longer. Now if I ever wear my cable out I might think about the synthetic rope. My 2 cents

Now get out there and pull down a tree with that winch, A dead tree of course!
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
It depends on where you wheel and where you'd use the winch.

If you wheel out west with a lot of rocks and hard surfaces, I'd get the steel cable just for durability. But on the other coast, we have a lot of mud and muck which, as long as you wash your rope after you use it, shouldn't affect the rope too much.

Safety is another concern. If a steel cable breaks its likely to kill someone standing in the wrong place. Whereas a rope will just fall to the ground.
 

harryron

The Grumpiest of Mid-Westerners
Location
ohio
So I will try and find some good prices on some synthetic rope. Now for my second question. As for power requirements what size battery should I run? As much as I want to I don't have a dual battery set up yet would the stock size work?

sent from the middle of a corn field.
 

Jbat

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
Utah
Definitely go with the synthetic rope, easier to handle, less dangerous, won't rust. lots of advantages. As for battery, run a good yellow top or blue top or odessey, something that's designed to be discharged and recharged without killing it. Also look at upgrading your alternator as it will assist greatly during heavy load winching operations.
 

harryron

The Grumpiest of Mid-Westerners
Location
ohio
This is all good information! So my list has grown to synthetic rope, and a better battery. Now question number 3 to use a hook or something else. I have read about some of these topics but either could not find the answers to what I was looking for and or wanted some feedback from people with first hand experience with these "issues" I'm trying to address.

sent from the middle of a corn field.
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
Hooks have always seemed dangerous to me. Not only from a breaking strength perspective, but if you get slack in the line and it comes unhooked, it's a pain.

I ran a Factor55 Pro Link on mine. That thing was beast. I'd recommend anything but a hook.
 

StupidFish

Need Bigger Tires
Location
The moon
Just curious. How often do you wheel and where? That will have a big impact on the answer. I pretty much only ended up using my hook. But i stuck mainly to trail blazing and and mud with a few small rock crawls.
 

harryron

The Grumpiest of Mid-Westerners
Location
ohio
Just curious. How often do you wheel and where? That will have a big impact on the answer. I pretty much only ended up using my hook. But i stuck mainly to trail blazing and and mud with a few small rock crawls.
I have tried to get out 2-3 times a year for the last few years engine problems keep me off the trails this year. I usally go to southern ohio when I get out. Next year I am planning to make a trip to West Virginia and maybe a few other places (my wife does not know it yet). I am trying to get this information to make using it as trouble free and safe as I possibly can.

sent from the middle of a corn field.
 
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granitex

Skid Plates
Founding Member
Location
Columbus OH
You can't split wood with synthetic rope like you can with wire, and with the rocks that we tend to run into here in ohio the steel works out well. I have seen too many synthetic lines damaged around here to give them any serious consideration on my truck.
 
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