Need a new winch cable. Wire or synthetic?

[AntleredRuin]

I'm admittedly trolling here, but it's humorous how people on this forum will buy $300+ floor mats, $600+ ice chests, etc, but balk at $300 for a piece of recovery equipment that can potentially save their lives or keep them from leaving their several thousand dollar rig in the middle of the wilderness and having to hike 20 miles back to civilization.

Priorities.

Off-roading is an expensive hobby, and you're all up to your eyes in credit card debt because of it anyways. Just tack on the extra $300, what does it matter anymore?

 

[JAXJeremy]

I've used both, had steel 1st then switched to synthetic...the steel one came with my winch, I got snags and kinks in a couple of spots..not fun having to deal with that when your spooling/unspooling..they're also a b**ch if you're doing a lot of winch work. get's tiring lugging that heavy line..however, if you planning to scrape over rocks (not recommended, but sometimes can't be avoided)

Right now I've got 20K rated synthetic line on my off road rig (full size Bronco weighing about 6K) that sits behind a TJM bumper so it's out of the elements (UV is bad for synthetic)..only had about 3 or 4 pulls on it, but I've been really happy with how it's performed..You do have to pay a little bit more attention from a maintenance standpoint but to me it's worth it..

 

[kolelt]

I have a xrc cover on my x2o

 

[WhiteBoomer04]

I've have the steel cable that came on my Smitybuilt winch, for approx 12 years. Still not one broken strand. Its probably getting near time to replace it tho. Not sure how years of service and use degrades its strength.

During that time I guess I've used it 10 times for recoveries. 3x using snatch blocks.

I have done trail maintenance where moving boulders and trees were required. Again often with snatch blocks. Most of these events have required the line to pull over rocks, dirt, branches etc. I would NEVER do this with a synthetic line.

My thinking is that if I had a recovery that is potentially going to save a truck (or life) from demise, I don't want to be thinking about how to void a line being damaged by "nature".
-I use a winch line blanket every time I use the winch, in case of a break. No exceptions.
-I am sure to clear spectators in case of a failure, and I rely on the body of the truck to protect me when winching in.
-I always wear gloves when handling the cable
-I never trust other peoples equipment. I use only my shackles and snatch blocks.

The weight saving is invalid in my opinion.

I would like synthetic line because its easy to move around, and I don't like the look of the roller fairlead.

Just my 2c

 

[kolelt]

Please remember that because you don’t see broken strands on the inside. It does not mean the inside core is not demaged. Or the inner strands. Either way let’s not get technical. If you want to use metal wire rope. Use it. If you want to use synthetic, then use it. Each has ups and downs.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I'm admittedly trolling here, but it's humorous how people on this forum will buy $300+ floor mats, $600+ ice chests, etc, but balk at $300 for a piece of recovery equipment that can potentially save their lives or keep them from leaving their several thousand dollar rig in the middle of the wilderness and having to hike 20 miles back to civilization.

Priorities.

Off-roading is an expensive hobby, and you're all up to your eyes in credit card debt because of it anyways. Just tack on the extra $300, what does it matter anymore?

Lol, I wonder the same thing as well sometimes! Along with the people who drop $2k on an Icon lift and then put off repair work because it's too expensive.

 

[bike]

Synthetic line for me. I hate dragging a cable up steep icy hills in winter. I put a thimble on my old steel line and throw it in the truck for most winter runs. Having an extension is really nice for times you need it. A synthetic extension would be awesome but for now I'm too cheap to buy one (plus most of my buddies have one )