There are fewer talking points in the world of winch selection more important than that of steel versus synthetic cable. While some off-roading enthusiasts stand firmly planted on one side of the fence or the other, the best selection of winch cable is that which most adequately meets a particular consumer's needs.
With this in mind, how does one go about determining which cable type is most applicable to their personal situation?
The following gauges the virtues of each type of cable based upon a range of criteria, allowing you to determine the exact style of winch cable that is best suited to your needs.
Strength
In terms of overall strength, synthetic rope features a higher breaking strength than that of steel cable. However, there is much more to this equation than overall tensile strength. Because any cable, no matter its composition, can only operate at peak efficiency when in its original, undamaged state, one must also consider each particular cable’s durability.
While synthetic line is considered stronger than steel winch cable in the absence of any outside variables, it is not nearly as hearty as steel wire when used in abrasive terrains. Though abrasion sleeves can reduce the risk of damage to synthetic winch line, they cannot prevent fraying in its entirety. In the event that such damage does occur, synthetic cable will offer no real strength advantage over wire cable.
Prior to determining which type of cable to use, one is best to consider the terrain in which they anticipate any necessary winching to take place. When you are seeking the ultimate in strength but are spending much of your time traversing rocky gorges, a steel winch cable is likely your best option. On the contrary, if trail riding through scenic wooded landscapes is more your style, then a synthetic cable will cover your every need.
Weight
One never seems to find themselves in a convenient location when trouble comes calling. We, as off-roaders, seldom get lucky enough to find a conveniently located tie-off point for our recovery efforts, and it becomes necessary to pull a significant amount of cable from our winch drum. In doing so, we are forced to fight the weight of this length of cable along the way.
Steel rope-style cable can quickly become heavy and cumbersome to contend with, further complicating the recovery effort. This is precisely where the use of a quality synthetic cable is ideal. Synthetic cable weighs substantially less than that derived from steel and can also be moved about much more efficiently due to its pliability.
If you anticipate the need to make frequent recoveries or those which will likely require a significant length of cable to be deployed, this is something that you will want to keep in mind.
Weather Resistance
As any off-road enthusiast knows, one can never fully predict what weather awaits when hitting the trail. This can present a number of challenges for those who wish to sustain their winch cable’s longevity. In a bid to protect your winch cable from the barrage of elements to which it is consistently exposed, a certain degree of care and periodic maintenance is necessary.
This is especially true for those that employ the use of a synthetic winch rope. Synthetic fibers are prone to eventual breakdown at the hands of UV exposure that is cast upon it by the sun. This UV light ages synthetic fibers, in turn making them increasingly prone to failure. Similarly, synthetic fibers are negatively affected by excessive exposure to moisture as well as chemical contamination. In any event, it is best to periodically clean any synthetic cable in its entirety and completely cover it when not in use.
Wire rope, on the other hand, typically requires less maintenance than its synthetic counterparts. A steel cable’s only real enemy is corrosion. With time and repeated exposure to moisture, a steel winch cable can begin to rust. In an effort to curtail this issue before it can become a problem, many off-roaders simply coat their steel winch cables in a thin sheen of oil from time to time. For those that are typically short on time for additional upkeep, the selection of a steel winch cable can be quite favorable.
Safety
Despite taking appropriate cautionary measures, the use of a winch cable still comes with its own share of inherent risks. Though modern cables which comply with all industry standards seldom break, the possibility of such always exists. When a cable or rope breaks, those within close proximity can be severely injured, due in large part to the significant and unpredictable release of kinetic energy that takes place.
In the majority of cases, the breakage of a synthetic cable results in far less damage than that of a steel cable. This is because of the lightweight nature of a synthetic cable as opposed to the significant heft associated with an aircraft-grade steel cable. When a steel cable fails, each broken end acts as an oversized bullwhip, destroying all in its way.
Another safety consideration worth taking stock of is that pertaining to the sharp burrs which often present themselves as a steel cable begins to age. While this concern seldom comes into play when dealing with a new winch cable, those that have put in their share of work can leave an operator cut and bloodied. As such, gloves should always be worn when attempting to spool or unspool a steel winch cable.
Cost
Another factor worthy of comparison between steel and synthetic cables is that of cost. As much as we all would love nothing more than to have infinite resources at our disposal for the purpose of customizing our Jeeps, for most this is simply not the case. Because of this, it is of vast importance to source only those products which provide us with the most bang for our buck.
In the world of winch cables, products of a synthetic construction come with a premium price tag. The difference between the price associated with synthetic cable equipped winches and those loaded with steel cable can range as much as 25%-50% between models of similar sizes and load ratings.
Therefore, if you are looking to purchase the most winch possible, while operating on a somewhat restricted budget, steel cable is the way to go. Remember, a winch is of little use if you skimp on size in order to afford a synthetic cable equipped model. You are far better to purchase a winch of ample size while opting for the use of steel cable as you find a model within your price range.
A Matter of Preference
The process of determining which type of winch cable to purchase can often be tedious in nature. Both styles of cable offer their own distinct advantages and disadvantages, and each has particular uses to which they are best suited.
Like selecting any other accessory for your Jeep, deciding which type of winch cable to purchase often comes down to a matter of personal preference. However, by referencing the information above, you will be better equipped to factor in all that is relevant.