What Winch Line Dampener

[reelamin]

New to this part....been so lucky over the years with nothing destroyed or people hurt. I will be adding some winch dampeners to my rig shortly. I have been looking at different options. Maybe it is just me...but why not just use your gear bag? Instead of weighted, larger, specific dampener, why not just put some weight in your gear bag and strap it on the cable? You already have it...weighs almost nothing, takes up no more space.

2nd question: I see a lot of just laying it on the cable/strap or only one end. Would it not be better if it was tightened onto it more, and what if the other end breaks?

 

[Sleeter]

New to this part....been so lucky over the years with nothing destroyed or people hurt. I will be adding some winch dampeners to my rig shortly. I have been looking at different options. Maybe it is just me...but why not just use your gear bag? Instead of weighted, larger, specific dampener, why not just put some weight in your gear bag and strap it on the cable? You already have it...weighs almost nothing, takes up no more space.

2nd question: I see a lot of just laying it on the cable/strap or only one end. Would it not be better if it was tightened onto it more, and what if the other end breaks?

Tree branch works, its free, usually present, and super earth friendly.

 

[reelamin]

Tree branch works, its free, usually present, and super earth friendly.

Ok makes great sense...just laying it on there...tying on? A couple buckle straps...I like this. Thanks

 

[Sleeter]

Ok makes great sense...just laying it on there...tying on? A couple buckle straps...I like this. Thanks

Just lay it on the cable around the mid point

 

[ajordan1975]

Jackets, hoodies and shirts work too

 

[n2advnture]

Wet towel or wet t-shirt

 

[Airmapper]

I got some of those industrial shop rugs cut into more manageable sized pieces. They are heavy and useful for any number of things.

 

[techno]

I've used many different things. Floor mats, clothing, towels, bags... they all (seem) work.
I've seen them do the job once, sort of. We were winching a Land Cruiser out of a mudbog using its Warn 9000lb winch with steel cable. The cable hook opened up under load very suddenly and went FLYING up in the air in an arch and came down on the roof of the cruiser about an inch from the windshield leaving a very nice dent. It was pretty cool, haha. The damper acted like a pivot point in this case. Half the line dropped to the ground, but the other half still whipped. It was a good lesson that shit still happens and people still need to stand well clear.

 

[RonJR]

I'm pretty sure you need more than a wet T-shirt. If there's enough stored energy in the cable to injure you, there's enough to sling that T-shirt pretty much anywhere. I don't think I'd have confidence in anything less than a heavy rug or blanket.

The previous poster also makes a good point, in that depending on where the break is, the damper may or may not be in the right place. One should probably use multiple dampers spaced along the cable.