Winch line question

[GRINCH]

I'm going to go synthetic on my 12000# winch.

5/16 is rated at 13,700 3/8 is rated at 19,600. Current cable on winch is 3/8 steel Don't know the rating. Can I use 5/16?

Would it be better (easier on the winch) if I used a shorter line? Less wraps around drum. Say like 50'. Then buy a Synthetic extention line 50' long. Most pulls seem to be less than 50' anyway. Or should I just stay with 100'

Any opinons on the following brands
AmSteel Blue or Dyneema

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

I have 3/8" synthetic (Masterpull) on my 8000 lb Warn 8274 and its been great.

There is no way I would go down in size, run the 3/8".

Run the appropriate amount of rope for the drum, IMO its not worth intentionally having to deal line extensions if you don't have to. You do have a 12,000 lb winch you shouldn't have to worry about making it easier for the winch.

 

[88Silverado]

The 3/8 steel cable is rated at 14,400. I just re-cabled my 8274 with 125' of 3/8 from Pierce Towing for $75. I couldnt afford the 3/8 syn and 5/16 syn is close to the 3/8 steel for breaking strength but have heard of problems with the 5/16 syn cutting down thru the layers making it difficult to unwind.
If I had a 12K I would think about the 3/8 syn but get ready to pay around $200. I have asked if anyone has broke 3/8 steel cable for the past couple years and so far no one has said yes.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

I've seen a couple winches break 5/16" synthetic.

My winch has broken 5/16" steel cable twice.

Any imperfection in the cable/rope will reduce its breaking strength. 3/8" steel is the absolute minimum I would consider for a 12K winch.

Synthetic is WAY better in every way than cable other than cost (lighter, stronger, safer), and even then you are only talking about a $150 difference.


What's your own and other's safety worth to you? I could find a few threads showing pictures of people injured/killed by broken winch cable but I really hate looking at that stuff.

 

[guz71]

Have you ever had any issues or seen issues with snapping synthetic winch line due to dragging it across the ground or an object? I know the make a sleeve for it but still. The last couple of extractions I had to do, my cable was dragging on the ground 80% of the time. I wonder if this would frey the synthetic line? I want to run sythetic on my 12K now but man its expensive, then again you cant put a price on safety...

I would run the recommended amount of cable for drum as stated above. The less line you have on the drum, the less the winch is going to pull anyways.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Have you ever had any issues or seen issues with snapping synthetic winch line due to dragging it across the ground or an object? I know the make a sleeve for it but still. The last couple of extractions I had to do, my cable was dragging on the ground 80% of the time. I wonder if this would frey the synthetic line? I want to run sythetic on my 12K now but man its expensive, then again you cant put a price on safety...

It depends on if the winch line is moving or not.

What I mean is if you are winching yourself up something (with the hook attached to some kind of winch point) it doesn't really matter what the winch line touches because its not sliding along anything.

If the rope/cable is sliding against anything you run the risk of damaging it though rope is more susceptible to damage (hence the protective sleeve).

I have pretty well destroyed my sleeve but my rope doesn't have any noticeable damage and it has spent plenty of time on the rocks.

I would run the recommended amount of cable for drum as stated above. The less line you have on the drum, the less the winch is going to pull anyways.

You have that backwards, more line on the drum means less leverage against the winch i.e. more pulling power.

 

[guz71]

wow my bad you are absolutely correct. Thats interesting, I never thought about but if you are winching yourself then the line doesnt get drug across anything.