Synthetic or wire rope for cable
 

OK I have a Ramsey commercial 8,000 lb winch. I need to replace what's on the drum. It will take 3/8 up to 125'. Right now it has 5/16 wire rope. It needs to be replaced. So 3/8" or 5/16"?
Synthetic or metal?

pros and cons
cost and durability (synthetic can rub & die)
What's your vote

Re: Synthetic or wire rope for cable
 

I would go with synthetic, it's eaiser to fix on the trail and a whole lot less dangerous to be around while in use. :metal: check out this fix http://www.stu-offroad.com/recovery/...trailfix-1.htm

Re: Synthetic or wire rope for cable
 

Synthetic, you will thank yourself every time you have to pull it.
Its its about a hundred bucks more than steel wire.


Wire will last longer if you are hooking improperly(wrapping around a object and hooking it to itself), and in rocks. But Can last years if you use the tree savers, and the protector.

Synthetic if it brakes can be an easy trail fix unlike wire which may be more of a struggle to tie it. And many use the rope for a while then flip it around to expose the fresh end.


Go synthetic.

Re: Synthetic or wire rope for cable
 

I got a quote (local 4x4 shop) on 3/8" 100' synthetic for $300 plus end choice.

Wire rope 3/8" 120' including made up eye connetion $80 - 19,000 lb pull test
Is there an inexpensive place to buy the synthetic on line?

Re: Synthetic or wire rope for cable
 

Not really. $300 is about as cheap as I have seen it. How often do you plan on winching? Will the winch be stored indoors or out? If this is just a once-in-awhile useage, the steel will probably be a better choice. Not as expensive, and impervious to UV. If you winch weekly, you will be thankful for the synthetic.

Re: Synthetic or wire rope for cable
 

Hopefully it is an insurance policy and/or hoisting a big game harvest. So not that often. It is outside, but the cable is completely secured by the bumber and grill. The line comes through the front license plate area.

Re: Synthetic or wire rope for cable
 

It looks like I'll go with the 3/8" wire rope. I'm going to use a snatch block/shackles and come back to the truck . 110' with eyelet for $80.

Re: Synthetic or wire rope for cable
 

I was in the 4x4 shop trying to figure out how and what kind of shackle I can mount to the front bumper. I asked the guy "metal or poly". He said go wire rope and here's why: Unless you have the new style of drum, as the poly rope clamps around the drum, it will crush/warp the older drums. Wire rope doesn't compress the same way as poly. He also stated that this is extreme winching, but it could happen! He rattled off a couple of companies that had the newer drums, but I didn't want to replace the winch, only the line.