Warn Winches: Steel Cable vs Synthetic
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Starrs
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Hammer24
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I have steel cable because it came with the jeep, and I'm definitely going to synthetic next. Lighter but also safer and easier to use.
JeepHeathen850
New Member
Depending on length obviously cable weighs more than rope. Check the specs via manufacturer. My RC cable winch says only a 10lb difference from the same one with rope. However, a cable winch needs a roller fairlead vs a hause type for rope. The roller one weighs more...guessing 5-8 lbs? So consider that.
2nd...are you meticulous about care and upkeep? If not rope is not for you. Not to say there's no upkeep with cable But rope gets dirty, sand, dirt etc get embedded in the rope which could lead to degradation of the rope. Also rope sitting in heat and sun will weaken over time.
Yes steel cable can possibly break and potentially cause more damage to vehicles, persons etc. So precautions have to be taken such as weighted winch blankets, etc. Just things to ponder...
2nd...are you meticulous about care and upkeep? If not rope is not for you. Not to say there's no upkeep with cable But rope gets dirty, sand, dirt etc get embedded in the rope which could lead to degradation of the rope. Also rope sitting in heat and sun will weaken over time.
Yes steel cable can possibly break and potentially cause more damage to vehicles, persons etc. So precautions have to be taken such as weighted winch blankets, etc. Just things to ponder...
There are a bunch of threads that cover steel vs synthetic. Here’s on pretty big one. https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...of-synthetic-winch-line-vs-steel-cable.19749/
I just purchased a Warn M8000-S. Synthetic is the only way to go for self-recovery.
If you are going to play amateur logger or tow truck driver then wire might be a better choice for your jeep, but you're not so it isn't.
Note: If I were to do this over again I would probably purchase the cheaper Warn M8000 with wire, then sell the wire and buy synthetic rope with Safety Thimble pre-spliced from TRE Recovery. I bought the M8000-S and then learned that the supplied 100' of Spydura rope is too long, that only 80-85' fits properly without risking bunching the line on a side pull, so I had to cut and re-splice anyway.
If you are going to play amateur logger or tow truck driver then wire might be a better choice for your jeep, but you're not so it isn't.
Note: If I were to do this over again I would probably purchase the cheaper Warn M8000 with wire, then sell the wire and buy synthetic rope with Safety Thimble pre-spliced from TRE Recovery. I bought the M8000-S and then learned that the supplied 100' of Spydura rope is too long, that only 80-85' fits properly without risking bunching the line on a side pull, so I had to cut and re-splice anyway.
I initially went steel cause Warn LOVES their synthetic line and the prices reflect it. Used steel for 2 years and when finances allowed it I went synth. Feel much better with the synth line for weight and a bit safer, but got to learn to use the winch with steel and lots of safety precautions.
Steel cable is no more capable than it ever was, synthetic on the other hand improves and has improved by leaps and bounds comparatively and it started out with a higher breaking strength for the same diameters.
It’s Groundhog Day...I prefer synthetic because it’s lighter, more versatile, easy to repair, doesn’t draw blood while handling without gloves when it’s got broken wires, and doesn’t get assholes in it. That said, get the M-8000 with wire rope, wear it out, learn all these things firsthand, and then switch to synthetic if you want.
This. If your trips do not including winching every time you go out I would spend the couple extra dollars in price for a better winch with wire rope on it. Wire rope worked for decades before synthetic lines became available and if used properly will still work just fine.
I bought a Warn M8000 with cable 12 years ago. I've used it a handful of times, from moving fallen trees in the road, to pulling field fencing tight, to self recovery, to recovering others. Due to expense, I have not put an urgency to replacing it with rope. I suppose if the cable wears out or becomes compromised, I will probably change to rope since I have to replace it with something.
Cable has always worked well for me, never needed anything different to get me out of a tough spot.
JeepHeathen850
New Member
Doesnt have to be improved upon. Its stood the test of time and it will still do the same job
It will do the same job, in the same way that lots of old technology will. It does however, lack the capability or capacity to get better, it is at the pinnacle of its performance.
It has been my experience that most people do not replace their wire rope when they should. Wire rope is actually damaged rather easily even when used properly, ever try keeping an eye on how it is spooling on the winch as you are trying to self recover? Any kinks that do not allow the wire rope to lay out relatively straight are suspect, any broken wires (you know, the ones that lacerate your fingers even with gloves on) is cause to replace. Depending on the type and who manufactured the wire rope, once it has pulled it's rated capacity it is suppose to be inspected. Wire rope has two distinct advantages over synthetic, abrasion resistance and heat resistance. Other than that synthetics are typically much stronger, lighter, easier to handle and, depending on construction method, can have less recoil than a wire rope.......
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