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Winch: 3/8" cable or 5/16 Rope ?

3/8 Cable or 5/16 Rope

  • 3/8 Cable

    Votes: 5 25.0%

  • 5/16 Syn Rope

    Votes: 11 55.0%

  • Who cares.....Im Naked..

    Votes: 4 20.0%
  • Total voters
    20
88Silverado

88Silverado

1/2 ton status
Joined
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Location
Grant's Pass, Oregon
Picking up a 8274 winch tomorrow. I'll probably re-cable it and was debating on going with either 3/8 cable or 5/16 Syn. Rope. The drum can carry 150' 5/16 cable but im also thinking about running 100-125 max and maybe carry an additional strap if longer lengths are needed.

I know the advantages of Syn rope for snapping but I dont think the 8274 is capable of snapping 3/8 cable. Price is the main difference between them.

Suggestions
 
where is the 3/8" synthetic option? :confused:

j
 
Anyone know how much 3/8 cable it would take to fill the drum? I've been thinking of going this route. The 5/16 has a break rating of 9,800 pounds, while the winch is rated at 8,000. I just installed a stronger motor, but I'm not sure how that will affect the winch's load capacity. There's not of buffer room on the winch load wise anyway, and I think I may have dropped the buffer even more with the addition of the new motor.
 
Yea, I may have answered my own question but I wonder if anyone has actually broke 3/8 cable during use.

5/16 standard cable says breaking point ~9K although im sure this has been de-rated some which is why its used.

5/16 Rope is around 14K, which is around 3/8 Cable break point. Im thinking 5/16 rope is a good swap but $$$ wise, its about 2-3X more than 3/8 cable. (Unless someone knows where to get a good deal :wink1: )

125' of 3/8 will fit on the drum as opposed to 150' of 5/16. I was concerned with short pulls and loosing performance having so much cable on the drum thats why I was thinking about 100-125' max with a separate extension if needed. The max pull of the winch is rated with a single turn on the drum and degrades with each additional layer.

Cant see the benefit of going to 3/8" rope unless the 5/16 degrades that fast and from what I have read, it doesnt.

OK, was looking for opinions. I figure cable or rope could be used safely. Guess the advantage of the rope then is its lighter weight and ease of use.

Tnx!
 
I run 3/8 synthetic cable on mine. That is what I would vote for. Remember that the strength ratings are for a rope in perfect condition. If there is a nick or fray in the rope it will decrease its load capacity significantly. Also, if you use a snatch block to double the line back to the vehicle, your 8000 pound winch (the 8274 is underrated at 8K) can now pull 16000. All you lose is 25 feet of rope and maybe $10-20 (3/8 is a little more expensive).
 
rope, it is a lot easier to work with and lighter, too. Then there is the "stored energy" deal. With the 8274 you don't have any heat issues (ropes only neg).
 
OK Thanks. Guess I should have put in the 3/8 syn option.

I'll look around and see whats available. Ive read alot about AmSteel but dont know much about the others. Any suggestions on different manufacturers or where to buy ??
 
Well you all have about convinced me that synthetic is the way to go. Man that stuff sure is expensive!
 
Smitty said:
....Man that stuff sure is expensive!
Click to expand...

Yea. no kidding. Thats why I was looking at the 3/8 wire instead.
The 5/16 rope is almost within my reach.
Guess the price difference is what you gain in ease of use and safety.
 
38377k5 said:
Also, if you use a snatch block to double the line back to the vehicle, your 8000 pound winch (the 8274 is underrated at 8K) can now pull 16000.
Click to expand...

It's true that the winch can pull 16000 lbs. with the pulley configuration, but the rope only sees an 8000 lb force. That said, I still would go with 3/8" rope.
 
38377k5 said:
I run 3/8 synthetic cable on mine. That is what I would vote for. Remember that the strength ratings are for a rope in perfect condition. If there is a nick or fray in the rope it will decrease its load capacity significantly. Also, if you use a snatch block to double the line back to the vehicle, your 8000 pound winch (the 8274 is underrated at 8K) can now pull 16000. All you lose is 25 feet of rope and maybe $10-20 (3/8 is a little more expensive).
Click to expand...

It is over-rated
Ive been told single line pull on the 8274 is closer to 16000lbs, thats how under-rated they are.
 
I doubt it is that under rated, but maybe. My point is the rope never sees more force than the winch can pull. Using pulleys can double the force applied to an object, but that doesn't double the tension in the rope.
 
Dallin said:
I doubt it is that under rated, but maybe. My point is the rope never sees more force than the winch can pull. Using pulleys can double the force applied to an object, but that doesn't double the tension in the rope.
Click to expand...

Yeah, you're right. I don't know what I was thinking.
 
synth rope is a wear item... thats why lots of hardcore guys use the 3/8" stuff.. it will last longer. Even if you don't fray it on rocks, gritty dust/dirt will get on/in the rope and start tiny little frays. 5/16" is plenty strong, it just won't last as long once you start degrading its strength which is pretty much inevitable if you actually use your truck.

j
 
I didnt see 7/16 cable.. that is what I got... but on a diff winch.. :wink1:
Patriot 15k here... dont think they make rope big enough for my winch so I chose the I'm nedded option :haha:
 
Thanks guys, Lots of good opinions. Now if I can only find a bumper or figure a way to mount this thing on the Blazer i'll be set :doah:
 
RootBreaker said:
I didnt see 7/16 cable.. that is what I got... but on a diff winch.. :wink1:
Patriot 15k here... dont think they make rope big enough for my winch so I chose the I'm nedded option :haha:
Click to expand...

They make the syn rope for marine winches that will dwarf your "little" 15k lb Ramsey. You're just shopping the wrong place.:D
 
yeah, you can get Amsteel Blue in all kinds of sizes. IIRC, it comes in 3"+ sizes and has an avg strength over 100,000,000 pounds in them bigger sizes. Oughta be enough for your cute lil winch. ;)

j
 
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