When it comes to steel cable versus synthetic rope for winch recovery , there seems to be a sharp divide amongst enthusiasts .
Steel Cable
For as long as winching has been around , the industry standard has been aircraftgrade steel cable , which is more durable than synthetic rope , but comes at the expense of weight and strength . Steel is the perfect type of line to use in highly abrasive terrains , such as mud , rocks , and sand , as it is less prone to fraying and abrading .
Steel is also more affordable than synthetic and requires less maintenance . However , steel cable can rust , as well as develop sharp burrs as it wears , requiring gloved hands to operate , and is also prone to kinks , making it harder to spool up on the drum properly and decreasing strength .
Synthetic Rope
Synthetic rope came on the scene in the mid- ’ 90s , when it was introduced as an alternative to steel cable .
Made from hi-tech polyethylene , synthetic rope is much safer than steel cable , and is now mandatory in most major sanctioned off-road events . Significantly lighter than steel cable , synthetic rope doesn ’ t store as much energy as a steel cable does , meaning it won ’ t become as much of a projectile if it breaks .
Being lighter than steel , cable also gives it an advantage on vehicles that are sensitive to weight , especially over the front axle . So , if synthetic rope is so great , why would you run anything else ?
Well , synthetic does have its share of disadvantages .
Drawbacks include susceptibility to UV exposure , chemicals , heat , and abrasion , all of which can substantially weaken the rope . Because of this , quality synthetic ropes come with a protective anti-abrasion sleeve that slides the length of the rope , as well as a special protective coating .
To protect against heat buildup from the drum brake , either a heat sleeve or more heat-resistant material can be used on the portion of the line that wraps around the drum . Another disadvantage to synthetic line is that it can hold water , which can add weight or even freeze in cold weather , turning your winch in to a useless ice block .
The Verdict
In the end , as long as they are in good condition , either style of rope will be able to do the job and recover your rig . It really comes down to personal preference and the terrain you traverse , as well as the level of maintenance you want to dedicate to your winch rope .
Keep in mind that whatever rope you ultimately choose , practicing safe winching techniques is just as important with synthetic rope as it is with wire cable .
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