There is a clear divide amongst 4X4 enthusiasts when it comes to the question of steel or synthetic winch ropes and it’s an argument that has only quite recently developed.
This is because steel was always the traditional choice and synthetic rope was always beyond the reach of many hobbyists.
In recent years, however, the scales have shifted and synthetic winch rope is a legitimate and affordable option.
But just because you can, does that mean you should? Are there any benefits associated with sticking to the tried and true option? Because synthetic rope might be more popular now but does that mean it’s the right choice for you and your vehicle?
Steel winch rope
When you picture a winch you’ll also most likely picture steel winch rope. That’s because it’s been industry standard for years and is still more durable than synthetic rope.
Not only that, but it’s also still cheaper and easier to maintain, as synthetic ropes require occasional washing to clear out grains of sand and dirt. For this reason, it’s still the ideal choice if you’ll be using it a lot in more abrasive terrain.
Whilst it’s incredibly durable and easy to maintain, however, steel winch rope is also, given that it’s made of steel, susceptible to rust.
This can be mitigated somewhat by keeping a light coating of chain oil or WD-40 on the line but you’ll never be able to prevent rusting 100%. Given the size and weight of the rope, it’s also more likely to develop a kink when it’s being spooled.
Synthetic winch rope
First breaking onto the 4X4 scene in the 1990s, synthetic rope had been used previously in the fishing industry and is made from polyethylene which is not only significantly lighter (four times, as a matter of fact) than steel but is more flexible too.
The most obvious benefit, however, is how much safer it is than steel cable. Because it doesn’t store as much energy as steel, it doesn’t cause as much of a fuss if it snaps and it’s for this reason that it’s now mandatory at most sanctioned off-road events. If a steel cable snaps it could lead to serious injury but that’s far less likely with a synthetic alternative.
It might also surprise you to learn that synthetic rope can bear a heavier load than its steel counterpart and as it’s lighter, it also makes it easier to handle and won’t ‘kink’ like a steel cable, though it can knot if handled badly.
Which one works for you?
With all the benefits of synthetic winch rope, you’d be forgiven for thinking you shouldn’t even bother considering good old steel but there are drawbacks besides the price and the extra maintenance.
They are as susceptible to the elements as steel rope and whilst they won’t rust they can weaken with continued UV exposure. They can also hold water and in cold weather, this is particularly problematic as it can freeze.
So, there is no one right answer when it comes to choosing a winch rope – it will depend on your needs and your vehicle.
Generally speaking, for most applications, we’d recommend a synthetic rope as it’s safer and easier to fix if something goes wrong but for those on a budget or requiring something a little more durable, steel is always a solid choice as long as you’re aware of the risks.
Photo by Sergey Ryzhov / Shutterstock.com
