Winch Experience
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 1,576
Likes: 926
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 963
From: Near Yosemite CA
Having used both wire rope and synthetic, and having had both snap, I'll take synthetic all day long, when I was in the Marine Corps 86-92 as a Vehicle Recovery Mechanic, all we had was wire rope, from 1/2" up, I think I still have holes in my hands from the dang wire spurs that would go through gloves. Synthetic when it breaks just drops, wire rope, if not, and even if weighted will create havoc and damage IME. Yes, wire rope, well maintained will def outlast synthetic, however I have yet to have a wire rope, even with optimal care, not develop burrs/spurs from frequent use, I have synthetic on ALL my winches and will not go back to wire rope, ever.
As for winches themselves, pick your poison, I've had Mile marker, Badlands, Warn and my new one is a Zeak 13k from Amazon which was a good deal at $300 and change. The Warn seems to be the fastest, but all have worked well and performed when needed, the only issue I had was my Mile marker would unwind after winching in with a load, not good, so it's in the shop waiting for a possible rebuild in all my spare time.
I'll be in the market for one for my Ex after I get the tires and gearing done.
As for winches themselves, pick your poison, I've had Mile marker, Badlands, Warn and my new one is a Zeak 13k from Amazon which was a good deal at $300 and change. The Warn seems to be the fastest, but all have worked well and performed when needed, the only issue I had was my Mile marker would unwind after winching in with a load, not good, so it's in the shop waiting for a possible rebuild in all my spare time.
I'll be in the market for one for my Ex after I get the tires and gearing done.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 1,406
From: Oologah, OK
that looks like Zeak or someone, built it and the Badlands
Casey LaDelle, has switched his ZackLIft wrecker over to Synthetic ropes.
he is a heavy proponent of Yankum ropes, and the new Fairlead that allows you to secure the end of the rope inside the fairlead, I just bought one for my Badlands winch.
Casey LaDelle, has switched his ZackLIft wrecker over to Synthetic ropes.
he is a heavy proponent of Yankum ropes, and the new Fairlead that allows you to secure the end of the rope inside the fairlead, I just bought one for my Badlands winch.
Trailering
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 20
Likes: 1
Synthetic rope certainly has a few advantages over wire cable, but it also has one major disadvantage, UV breakdown.
For a winch mounted on the front of a regular truck that sits outside, synthetic rope needs to be replaced often (like once a year or once every two years).
Regular wire cable has it’s shortcomings for sure, but at least for me here in Texas, it takes rust a decade or more to kill a cable, but the sun will kill a synthetic rope in less than two years.
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For a winch mounted on the front of a regular truck that sits outside, synthetic rope needs to be replaced often (like once a year or once every two years).
Regular wire cable has it’s shortcomings for sure, but at least for me here in Texas, it takes rust a decade or more to kill a cable, but the sun will kill a synthetic rope in less than two years.
…
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