Synthetic Winch Line ?

[ADH8796]

Alright I'm a newb when it comes to the synthetic winch line but what I have gathered so far is that Rockstompers carries it fairly cheep. I just ordered an 8000 LB Mile Marker winch that comes with the crap cable and so I'm thinking I'll order some synthetic line to replace it. Here is my delima I don't know what size I should order I have notice it seems most people run the 3/8 so I'm assuming I should be good with that but just wanted to make sure. Thanks for the help!

Anthony

[FlyingWil]

3/8 might be over kill. The http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=374"]5/16" (http://" has a 13,700 lb. Breaking Strength where as the http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=375"]3/8" (http://"[url) Trail Line has a 19,600 lb. Breaking Strength. I think in both cases the winch would give out first.

Right now (my company) Sierra Expeditions has the Viking winch lines on sale (They have not completed my sponsorship to UY yet, but here is a link (http://"http://www.ttora.com/forum/showpost.php?p=999971&postcount=1") to the sale posted on TTORA)

[Good Times]

Anthony,

Though I was sporting the 3/8" line I would have to agree that the 5/16" line will work fine for most applications. Check out Wil's products as he's got the good stuff for sale :)

[FlyingWil]

We gone though just about all of them... Viking produces the best, IMO... They have their own company Winchline.com, but bottom line is that it the best on the market today with Master Pull on their heels.

[Robinhood4x4]

I've got 5/16 and think it's fine. Although, I heard the 3/8 lays in the spool, layer after layer better than the smaller stuff. I like having more length just in case I need it.

[ADH8796]

3/8 might be over kill. The http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=374"]5/16" (http://" has a 13,700 lb. Breaking Strength where as the http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=375"]3/8" (http://"[url) Trail Line has a 19,600 lb. Breaking Strength. I think in both cases the winch would give out first.

Right now (my company) Sierra Expeditions has the Viking winch lines on sale (They have not completed my sponsorship to UY yet, but here is a link (http://"http://www.ttora.com/forum/showpost.php?p=999971&postcount=1") to the sale posted on TTORA)



Link isn't working for me but I'm very interested. Let me know if it's my comp or if the link is down thanks!

[FlyingWil]

Link isn't working for me but I'm very interested. Let me know if it's my comp or if the link is down thanks!


Try this link...
http://www.ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=80954

[bamachem]

I had 5/16" thick amsteel blue and only broke it once in about 3 years (UV degredation and abrasion - in other words from abuse). when it did break, it broke near the hook. i simply cut off about 10' to make sure that i had good rope, then re-threaded it back into itself and did some lock-stitching to hold it in place and it was as good as new, just 10' shorter than before.

[ADH8796]

That linked worked thanks! I'll be in touch when I finally make my purchase.

Andy good info thanks man!

[Cheese]

I have 3/8's, feels more substantial in the hands, but I have big hands. Extra working load is just overkill at that point.

I have seen synthetic snap and recoil.

The savings are weight, ease of handling and simple splice fixes.

[FlyingWil]

Very true. I have seen Sythetic break too, but I have never seen and pray that I never see any wire winch line break. I have sen pictures and heard the stories. Each winchline has its advantages.

Sythetic Winch line has it pro's and cons:

Advantages:

Safer - harmless if it breaks
Safer - frayed steel cable will rip your hands
Stronger (size for size)
Lighter Weight than wire
Easier to handle - makes complex rigging and re-rigging much quicker
Doesn't damage itself when criss-crossed on the drum
Can be spliced if it breaks
Doesn't rust


Disadvantages:

Expensive
Vulnerable to cutting and abrasion - care needed when rigging and possible additions of gaurds
Apparent softness makes users forget basic winch safety (gloves, hands clear etc.)


Obviously, there are circumstances under which steel is better, for example if you can't avoid chafing.

Unless it gets snagged, cut or melted, synthetic rope will take much more tension than steel cable of the same diameter, without breaking. More importantly, if it does break, there are no lethal ends flying around.

[Ric]

I know everyone says that Syn. can/does reciol, but not near as bad as wire, does anyone know of videos of this ?
Iremember seeing a video of Syn. line breaking, but cant remember where I seen it.

[Bighead]

If I remember correctly, there were some videos of syn line breaking floating around Pirate a while ago.

[reggie 00]

Speaking about ropes lines and cables.

http://hnsa.org/doc/nstm/ch613.pdf

Here is some good info that far surpasses just simple winch line that some may find useful.

reason i found this was i had Tattle tails on the mind after reading the comments about line breakage.


also while on the subject.

Monkey Fists.
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/reggiemiller00/cinemasupplies_1967_325690179.jpg

good stuff.
http://www.realknots.com/knots/faqknot.htm

[jjrgr21]

http://www.moabjeeper.com/articles/general/listing.cfm?articleID=248

pretty good review on this line

[BruceTS]

I had been running 5/16" amsteel blue from Rockstomper for years, snapped the line 3 times. Twice from getting cut on sharp rocks and the last time was when it snapped due to degradation, but the line was well used, mostly at work pulling stuck vehicles and such.

The video of when I snapped the line during the last recovery on it......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPp5Eqa5C7Y

This time I got 3/8" Viking Fireline from winchline.com, I must say it does spool up much easier than the smaller line and very pleased with it. If I need the extra distance, my old line was converted into an extention. One note......UV is killer on the line, so before I installed the new line I sealed all the holes where sunlight could come in contact and tape the front fairlead when not used.

[groovecrusher]

I use 3/8" on an 8000# winch. In the areas I need a winch, sand and mud and muck are the norm and a protective sheath, unless it's the entire length of the syn line, is pretty much useless. So, the 3/8" stuff buys me a little more time with abrasion and wear.

I use MasterPull, but I'll be switching to Viking next time, I do believe. I like the way the Viking line attaches to the drum better than the MP line.