Winch rope

03_troopy · Guru

Winch rope

Yuglamron · Guru

Hi Bob,

I must say I didn't know that they do the synthetic ropes for 4x4 but I use a Spectra 1500Kg one on my tinnie and my mate bought the 4500Kg one for his 19'Mustang boat.

I do know I looked at them for a few months before I switched over.It just 'Looked' too flimsy to do the job.

I have had no problems in the two years I've used it and neither has my mate.

I don't know about long term UV exposure but I keep my winch covered and I wash the rope drum on the winch with fresh water when I wash the boat.

I do know there are none of those annoying pricks from bits of wire sticking out with the Synthetic rope.

I hope someone has used them on their fourbies,be interesting to see how they go in 4x4 use.They have very little stretch so should be a good option.

Cheers

Trevor

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

Try this topic from Exploroz Forum ...

http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Topic/22614/Winch_steel_cable_vs_winch_rope.aspx

Cheers - John

03_troopy · Guru

Cheers Trevor, yes the synthetics have been used quite extensively on 4WD's for a number of years now and seem to perform very well. I also use Spectra on my boat trailer winch and find it much better than the old steel wire especially seeing it has no memory and therefore doesn't spring off the spool when you don't wind all of the rope from the it.

Thanks for the links John, also interesting reading. I have googled few other links as well and it does seem like the synthetic is rope is quite popular. The problem is sorting out the preferences of the "purists" from the actual reality of using the stuff on the occasional pull out of bogs. I had to use my winch the other night in some very slippery and sticky mud, and I can tell you dragging 30 odd M of the stuff up the track a few times was no picnic. I ran the wire rope out yesterday to clean it as well, and noticed quite a few spikes protruding here and there from it and a few nasty kinks in it as well. So I think it's about time to replace it and the Dyneema does look good at this stage. I'll probably buy it online as well, so that's why I am asking the question.

Cheers
Bob

Keith19837 · Senior Member

03_troopy wrote:
Has anyone used any of the newer synthetic winch ropes on their 4WD and do they have any reccomendations for brands and where to buy etc. Also any pros or cans they have found with them.
Cheers
Bob

G'Day Bob. I do only a smallish amount of towing/winching, but I do use alot of different ropes for yachting (2.5 tonners). I persoanlly find synthetic rope particularly good. However, for mooring/docking I use rope with 'give', such as nylon. It is less harsh on fittings like bollards (tow points) but can 'spring' a boats (car) forward when not expected. Ropes without 'give', such as Dacron, are better as haliyards or for use when you don't want any relative movement; but for towing or in my case docking, they tend to 'jar' something terrible. I won't use polypropylene as I find that the sun reacts on its compounds, causing it to weken without visibily doing so. I'ld have what appears to be a sound piece of rope which just snaps well before it reaches S.W.L. (However, I'm informed that newer compound 'polyprope' is much better). I don't buy rope from a Yacht Chandler as I find I'm paying 2 or 3 times as much. Bunnings have recently started stocking some good synthetics as well as stainless wire. For what it's worth.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

I have a 12T synthetic rope on the Warn 15,000lb winch on the OKA.
I imported it from Masterpull in the USA when I purchased the winch which was not available in this country.
I would not use anything else.

I also carry a 50m synthetic extension cable that I purchased locally.
The best value I have seen was at A. Noble & Son in Adelaide, but that was a couple of years ago.

Cheers,
Peter

03_troopy · Guru

Thanks Keith19837 yes there certainly are a lot of synthetics available for marine use. I have used Silva Rope for many years as anchor line and it's perfect for the job. The ropes I'm talking about though are far stronger than many of these though and are very good for winching. Roughly, a 10mm Dynamica (Dyneema) has a minimum breaking strain of 10.9t.

Thanks for the info too Pete. Do you know what the UV resistance is like on the rope you have?

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

03_troopy wrote:
Thanks for the info too Pete. Do you know what the UV resistance is like on the rope you have?

No I don't Bob.

I have a vinyl cover over the winch and the cable, so it is not exposed.

Cheers,

Peter

03_troopy · Guru

Yes, I was thinking that might be a good idea anyway. That certainly is an impressive vehicle btw Peter. Thanks