Hi, everyone

I'm looking at buying a 12000lb winch and was wondering which steel cables or synthetic rope would be better?

Anyone have a prefference?

R-W

 

I often wonder about this winch LBS thing sometimes. 12,000 lbs ? Are you going to hoist your Jeep up a tree ? I haul about 100 boats in the fall on our small hydraulic trailer that are about 20,000lbs with a cheapie little winch and 1/4inch 7/19 wrap SS cable. Hasn't failed me in 10 years. I do admit I like the looks of the wench on the front....looks like you mean bussiness !! Just my 2 cents worth !

 

You have to remember...the winch might not always be for you :) I've come across a few people out on the trails and yes a 12,000lbs winch (which I have) was needed. And I bought a cheaper one (superwinch) so I went a little bigger than I would have if I had of got a Warn.

 

As a general rule of thumb is take the vehicle weight and multiply by 1.5. This will give you the minimum weight required for your vehicle. Hope this helps.

 

Hiya,
So to get back to the original question, wire cable or synthetic rope?
Peter

 

My personal Experience with both remember there are exceptions to all of these.

Pros Wire:
Inexpensive
Longer Life Span
No Difference In Accessories (****** Block, Fairlead etc)

Pro Synthetic:
Light Weight
Floats In Water (Real Big Bonus)
Safe

 

Thanks everyone for the input

 

The safety with a synthetic is a major plus, if the cable snaps it doesn't store energy and come flying back at you it just drops to the ground.
If you do get a synthetic I foud it takes a bit to get it to seat on the drum, it doesn't seem to spool on as tightly as a steel cable.

 

Hey, DDT, a guy would have to be nuts to NOT like the looks of a wench on the front!
Sorry! Someone just had to do it.