synthetic vs wire winch, which is better?
01-22-2011, 11:01 AM
#1
JK Enthusiast
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synthetic vs wire winch, which is better?
thinking about getting a rugged ridge 8,500 synthetic winch. Anyone using a synthetic winch, think its a good buy?
01-22-2011, 11:48 AM
#2
JK Super Freak
Wire cable can literally cut someone in half if it breaks. It stores tension (kinetic energy) and will snap backwards like a rubberband when it breaks, and because it is so heavy it can do alot of damage to whatever it strikes.
Synthetic line doesn't store energy like that, it just kind of goes limp and falls to the ground if it breaks...
Synthetic line doesn't store energy like that, it just kind of goes limp and falls to the ground if it breaks...
01-22-2011, 12:13 PM
#3
JK Super Freak
Synthetic is safer but some people have problems after they use it once. The rope cinches down on itself so tight that you can't get it out when you need it most. I personally had this happen on my atv, used it once then rolled it up nice nice and then it wouldn't unroll- brand new winch, no mud, nothin crazy. I run steel line on my jk and just hope it never ever breaks.
01-22-2011, 12:36 PM
#5
JK Super Freak
Admittedly I have never witnessed this, but all the same I am going synthetic...
01-22-2011, 12:44 PM
#6
JK Super Freak
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It all depends on your situation. Synthetic is not the best to use when rocks oppose an obstacle for whatever you're winching. If the rope rubs on the rock, it'll tear and break. And roller fairleads are not the best to Use for synthetic(don't remember where I hear this)
Synthetic floats, lightweight, less deadly, etc.
Cable is heavy, like a rubberband when it breaks, doesn't float, pain to roll up, can fray and cut you, etc......
Synthetic floats, lightweight, less deadly, etc.
Cable is heavy, like a rubberband when it breaks, doesn't float, pain to roll up, can fray and cut you, etc......
01-22-2011, 12:46 PM
#7
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I haven't had a winch line break but I was using a chain to to pull someone out and when I had them all the way out he was still coming so I popped forward more so he wouldn't hit me and the chain popped off and went straight through the sliding back windows and through the front windshield taking the mirror with it from my toyota
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01-22-2011, 12:49 PM
#9
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The way I see it steel cable and a winch line dampener is still not AS safe but is much safer than a plain cable and is usually about $150 cheaper with the dampener than the synthetic line
