Is all synthetic winch line the same?

[Signal]

I am close to finishing the front end build. I have the winch, a Warn VR 10 and a light bar, and the Factor 55 gear, I just need some synthetic line. IS it all the same or are there I should stay away from. I was looking at this site and it seems good but I know nothing about synthetic lines. under 200 bucks seems like a deal too. Right?

3/8" Synthetic Winch Rope - 20,000 lb. Breaking Strength | TRE

 

[Jetboy]

All SK75 fiber is the same. If it's really Dyneema SK75 like almost all winch ropes advertise as, then it should be functionally equivalent to any other SK75 rope of the same size and weave type.

If you're actually getting Dyneema SK75 - who knows? Short of sending some in for lab analysis, I'm not sure how you'd ever know. If its a generic fiber that's just as strong as Dyneema brand, probably just as good too. If it's just nylon rope... not so good. I wouldn't put much value on brand name other than the value it provides as a potentially having a good supply chain with the correct material. But Amsteel blue is not stronger or better than Marlow Leisure Marine or New England Ropes or some brand you've never heard of if they're all using the same fibers in the same weave pattern and same size rope.

 

[Signal]

All SK75 fiber is the same. If it's really Dyneema SK75 like almost all winch ropes advertise as, then it should be functionally equivalent to any other SK75 rope of the same size and weave type.

If you're actually getting Dyneema SK75 - who knows? Short of sending some in for lab analysis, I'm not sure how you'd ever know. If its a generic fiber that's just as strong as Dyneema brand, probably just as good too. If it's just nylon rope... not so good. I wouldn't put much value on brand name other than the value it provides as a potentially having a good supply chain with the correct material. But Amsteel blue is not stronger or better than Marlow Leisure Marine or New England Ropes or some brand you've never heard of if they're all using the same fibers in the same weave pattern and same size rope.

What other sites are out there to search for line on, Master Pull and Warn want over 300 for 85 feet.

 

[Jetboy]

What other sites are out there to search for line on, Master Pull and Warn want over 300 for 85 feet.

It's really hard to know the source of products these days with the proliferation of what are almost universally dropship style resellers for automotive equipment. My sailboat has a few rigging parts made from synthetic winch rope from Harbor Freight that I bought in a pinch. 5 or 6 years later now - they're still in service and have worked perfectly fine. I think their winch rope is around $125. I'd probably use it. My guess is that the one you linked is just fine too.

Even the brand name stuff could be counterfeit. I bought 3 Motorcraft OEM Ford injectors for my diesel a month ago from a well known diesel shop. And they were counterfeit. The packaging wasn't quite right, so I sent photos to Ford's brand protection group and they verified that they were not genuine parts. So even a known product from a reputable source isn't always a sure bet. It was a hassle because they're $250/ea. So they're not cheap parts and it's a huge PITA labor wise to install again if they don't work.

It's kinda impossible to know without buying it and testing it. And - not very many of us have a way to test the rope to 15k lbs. The only realistic way I know of to test one would be to call a local crane company and see if they have a crane in their yard that they'd be willing to do a test pull with up to 10 or 12k lbs to verify that it won't break at that tension. Most cranes have a scale system on them and they probably have something they could do a pretty easy pull test with if they were willing to do it.

The winch rope that came on my Superwinch is unknown source to me, and it has held up pretty well. I've cut it once by pinching between the fairlead and a rock and cut almost cleanly through. Synthetic rope is easy to splice in the field, so it was an easy fix to shorten a few feet and put the thimble back on. Other than cutting it where any rope would get cut, I haven't had any issues in almost 7 years of using it.


FWIW - if ever there was a great place for blockchain, this sort of scenario is it. It would make it possible and inexpensive to verify that the part you get is genuine and track it all the way to the manufacturer.

In all honesty - If it were me - I'd probably just buy one of the $100 ones or the HF one and use it.

 

[MAST4R]

Hey [MENTION=118321]Jetboy[/MENTION], really good to have you back!

 

[Signal]

It's really hard to know the source of products these days with the proliferation of what are almost universally dropship style resellers for automotive equipment. My sailboat has a few rigging parts made from synthetic winch rope from Harbor Freight that I bought in a pinch. 5 or 6 years later now - they're still in service and have worked perfectly fine. I think their winch rope is around $125. I'd probably use it. My guess is that the one you linked is just fine too.

Even the brand name stuff could be counterfeit. I bought 3 Motorcraft OEM Ford injectors for my diesel a month ago from a well known diesel shop. And they were counterfeit. The packaging wasn't quite right, so I sent photos to Ford's brand protection group and they verified that they were not genuine parts. So even a known product from a reputable source isn't always a sure bet. It was a hassle because they're $250/ea. So they're not cheap parts and it's a huge PITA labor wise to install again if they don't work.

It's kinda impossible to know without buying it and testing it. And - not very many of us have a way to test the rope to 15k lbs. The only realistic way I know of to test one would be to call a local crane company and see if they have a crane in their yard that they'd be willing to do a test pull with up to 10 or 12k lbs to verify that it won't break at that tension. Most cranes have a scale system on them and they probably have something they could do a pretty easy pull test with if they were willing to do it.

The winch rope that came on my Superwinch is unknown source to me, and it has held up pretty well. I've cut it once by pinching between the fairlead and a rock and cut almost cleanly through. Synthetic rope is easy to splice in the field, so it was an easy fix to shorten a few feet and put the thimble back on. Other than cutting it where any rope would get cut, I haven't had any issues in almost 7 years of using it.


FWIW - if ever there was a great place for blockchain, this sort of scenario is it. It would make it possible and inexpensive to verify that the part you get is genuine and track it all the way to the manufacturer.

In all honesty - If it were me - I'd probably just buy one of the $100 ones or the HF one and use it.

Thanks this just caught my attention, I have their recovery boards, I bought 2 since Maxtrax can't be found anywhere.

Amazon.com: Synthetic Winch Rope 3/8" x 100' - 23,809 Ibs Winch Line Cable Rope for 4WD Off Road Vehicle JEEP SUV (Orange): Automotive

 

[Pedro367]

What other sites are out there to search for line on, Master Pull and Warn want over 300 for 85 feet.

From my experience the premium ropes seem to be better for sure. I've used Warn, Mile Marker (had on my first winch. Winch was crap, but the line seemed good), and most recently used Custom Splice. I had a 3/8" Amsteel rope from CS on my older Grand Cherokee at it was great for a good price. If I were to buy again I'd go CS.

In regards to the amazon ones, I have used some of them on my ATV. They are definitely cheaper feeling and looking than the others I've used above. They are more "plasticy" and less flexible. They just feel cheaper. But, for the price and the frequency I am stuck I just bring a spare. I also treat them fairly poorly moving logs, clearing trails, using them to raise the plow, etc. so if they break I'm out like $25 or I just tie a new knot on the end. My most recent one is the FieryRed brand. We'll see how it holds up.

 

[Signal]

From my experience the premium ropes seem to be better for sure. I've used Warn, Mile Marker (had on my first winch. Winch was crap, but the line seemed good), and most recently used Custom Splice. I had a 3/8" Amsteel rope from CS on my older Grand Cherokee at it was great for a good price. If I were to buy again I'd go CS.

In regards to the amazon ones, I have used some of them on my ATV. They are definitely cheaper feeling and looking than the others I've used above. They are more "plasticy" and less flexible. They just feel cheaper. But, for the price and the frequency I am stuck I just bring a spare. I also treat them fairly poorly moving logs, clearing trails, using them to raise the plow, etc. so if they break I'm out like $25 or I just tie a new knot on the end. My most recent one is the FieryRed brand. We'll see how it holds up.

I have their recovery boards, let me know how the line holds up. I am in contact with winchline.com. The owner passed away and the kids are getting ready to take it over. I like the diamondback line. The UV is really bad down here so we could use as much protection as possible.