So it's good to cut off the sheathing? I want to look like I know what i am doing while cruising the mall parking lot.
Winch rope recommendations
- Thread starter Gollywomper
- Start date
So it's good to cut off the sheathing? I want to look like I know what i am doing while cruising the mall parking lot.
The last time I encountered a thin nylon sleeve, we had just finished a recovery and I was spooling the rope back onto the guy's drum. He had pulled to sleeve out to protect the rope from something I made a point of avoiding during the setup. As I was respooling, the sleeve was continuously in the way and bunching up on the fairlead. At some point, I stopped everything, ripped off the sleeve and tossed it in the Jeep. I told the guy to never put this useless waste of time back on his rope.
We could swap a fender and then we'd both have matching sets, I think our hoods are similar so that's a wash. You might want to cover up the winch logo like people do with licence plates, you never know who's reading these threads.
The thicker, heavier guards are closer to what we want for our winches when dragging the rope across sharp rock edges. We need something that is cut resistant and also softens the radius of the rope as it slides over a sharp edge and doesn't roll over to a thin section as the rope slides side to side. A large, thick, heavy mat might be ideal, but then we need to carry it.
I seem to remember some experienced guys saying they carried these things, I guess I'm mistaken unless somebody chimes in. I don't mean the nylon sleeves, I know those are silly. I hope nobody reads what I posted and goes out and buys something unnecessarily.
Like these I think. The black nylon piece is a 6’ cover with Velcro. Not designed to stay on the line. The orange bunch is a covered winch line extension, recovery rope, rope strap, etc.
All TRE gear. I have had the opportunity to use their gear to a point of trust.
Years ago, I remember seeing some thicker sleeves for sale. Something like a pad made of multiple layers of thick firehose that strapped to the winch rope. The problem I recall was that they could only work if the rope didn't shift to one side. Otherwise, the pad would roll over and the rope was no longer protected.
For me, I will often have a moving blanket and a heavy canvas tarp in the Jeep. I have occasionally folded those up into a thick mat to protect the rope. I don't know if this was really effective in protecting the rope. Except that so far, I haven't split a rope like that yet.
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How thick is the nylon? Looking at how nicely it folds up, I don't think it is what I'm referring to.
And as much as I like TRE stuff, they also put sleeves on their ropes because they would prefer to appease the uninformed customer who thinks there needs to be a sleeve rather than educate them. Meaning that not everything they offer is of equal thoughtfulness and usefulness.
It’s standard webbing nylon, opened up it’s probably 3” wide opened up.
The extension rope does not ever go on a spool. It is a very good idea to cover it with a protective coating when it will extend the life of an already good rope. They are educating people wisely. Read the info and watch what they produce video wise. Note their winch line is not covered just the extensions and recovery ropes. It hinders nothing, only serves to protect the item it is surrounding or abrading and the rope itself. When it becomes a hazard or nuisance, I’ll pull it and have what amounts to a fresh new (uv protected) line.
https://www.tacticalrecoveryequipment.com/product/standard-tow-rope-38or30/
Standard nylon webbing isn't doing a thing to protect a rope from the rocks. We already addressed that.
Remind me why we are covering winch extensions and recovery ropes from UV exposure when they live most of their lives in a bag? My TRE soft shackles aren't covered.
And why isn't your synthetic winch rope already UV resistant? Mine is.
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The tarp is a good idea! I’m not a tree hugger but would rather not tear up or cut into a healthy tree. Especially with a greenie watching it videoing.
I have a ARB steel line dampener that I had thought might work for something like a canvas tarp. I carry two waxed canvas taros from ATC. I’ll keep that in mind when I need a cushion or barrier.
Let’s set both of ours out I the weather tomorrow. We can check back in after summer and compare. My new rope is in a bag however my old strap is still rotting on the inner part of my spare. How did you uv protect yours?
My rope is made of Dyneema and comes from the shipping industry where these things sit exposed on docks and ship decks.
Incidentally, my rope is about 7 years old and has never been covered beyond when the Jeep is parked in the garage. So far, the first 15-20 feet that regularly sees the sun hasn't broken yet despite being used multiple times a year.
My tree saver was never convenient to carry and was never long enough. I ditched it. This new rope should cover many needsThat's what a tree saver is for
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I would use this to protect your winch rope, it seams to work for everything now 
Huh. My old rope on my CJ 15 years ago had to be protected from uv. It was Amsteel I think. I have three of the TRE ropes and five of the soft shackles In my shop. I say in but they are always outside now. I don’t have a dock so any trucks that show up with the load in the nose has to be pulled. Most of the pallets are over 4K lbs, I would cringe when we used chains and a guy had to be in the trailer. Now we use just the TRE synthetic. Im glad to hear I don’t have to worry about UV!! One less thing I have to bitch about. In my mind, I was worried about the part that sits in the sun around the thimble.