winches

[04SilverSTR]

so having a new winch bar im in the market for a winch. but im just not sure what to get. im pretty sure I want rope not cable as it is lighter.

so my question is what are you all running and how are they fairing??

someone mentioned to me last week the if the cheap winches are not used the windings can burn out when you go to use them, where as something like a warn you can set and forget and it will go forever and when you want it to.

cheers
bryan

 

[Jbob223]

Hey mate i brought the tigerz 11 grande winch About A year ago and i can not fault it its been a great winch, i did pull it all apart and water proof it my self though, for the price you cant really go wrong imo.

 

[SuperST-R]

I was looking at the VRS Warn winches (petty sure that's their name). Budget winch about $800, can get them with rope also. i like the bar set up on them, not too close to the barrell. There is also an amphibius winch by SmittyBuilt. Completely waterproof, from the states. A little more expensive though.

 

[doc]

Rope versus cable is a debate in itself - worth considering what your requirements are.

Cable is basically maintenance-free. You can leave it spooled for years without problems. Rope needs to be removed and washed periodically, because grit in the dyneema fibre weave causes failure of individual fibres. Grit is introduced by everyday driving, dust, rain etc. And that means pretty much after any trip where the rope (winch) was used, you need to remove it and wash it to remove any grit from the weave... It's good stuff, but to use it safely, its a maintenance nightmare.

Cable cannot be repaired in the bush, rope can be spliced easily.

Cable is heavier than rope, and rope also floats.

Cable will run over rocks without risking failure, rope must be protected from all abrasion.

Cable - need to wear gloves due to wire splinters. Rope - no problem.

Cable is impervious to sunlight. Rope breaks down under UV.

Rope is zero stretch - if it fails, it basically falls on the ground. That being said, I have been 4wding for something like 25 years now, and have never seen nor experienced failure of a cable WHEN THE CABLE IS IN GOOD CONDITION. I have seen poor condition cables fail, however would refuse to use one myself.

The list of pros and cons for each goes on and on.

If you aren't using the winch regularly, and want something that is "set and forget" then I would strongly suggest cable.

Whichever one you go for, if you damage it, REPLACE IT. Don't risk the health and safety of you and others.

 

[tyler-k]

^^^^ good post, very informative. I was sold on rope more for its ease of use and weight savings but I think cable is going to be the more logical. Cable requiring little matinenance compared to rope is a big factor plus cable winches are about $200 cheaper on average compared to rope versions.

Anybody know the weight differences between a winch with rope and a winch with cable?

-Tyler

 

[doc]

From memory it's around 15kg weight difference.

 

[d22dave]

You can't really forget about steel, leave on the spool for a couple of years and I think you will find its rusting badly

 

[doc]

Not if you spray the spool with WD40 or lanolin every few months.

 

[d22dave]

Not if you spray the spool with WD40 or lanolin every few months.

That's good advice I,m sure. But it's not set and forget

 

[siringo]

Rope weighs about a tenth the weight of cable. I've seen it said that rope is effected by UV and that it is not, so believe who you wish on that one.

I've also read that you must wash the rope every now and then, as well as that it isn't really necessary.

Rope is so much easier to handle, cable becomes pretty horrible once it's been used a few times and gets grit and grime stuck in it. It's also bloody hard to work with when it gets a kink or bend in it.

The thing with winches is, generally they're not used very often, so I tend to think, am I prepared to spend $1000 on something I may only use 3 times in 3 years or $400???

It's a tricky question. I don't know for sure, but I suspect alot of these $350 - $600 winches are pretty similar in spec and may even come from the same factory. When I was buying my winch, I wasn't keen on the idea of spending $600 on a winch from Company A, that may be identical to a $350 winch from Company B.

I ended up getting a Runva winch and am pretty happy with it.

The main reason was, I could actually find out who makes Runva winches, it's a Chinese company in China, funnily enough called Runva and they specialise in making winches. So at least I could read up on the company, check out spare parts and winch specs.

You can get winches from Aldi to ARB but you don't really know who makes them (well you do with the Warns), but I know who made my winch, that sold me on it.

Think I read that Warns are now made and/or assembled in China now as well.

 

[d22dave]

The genuine warn replacement motor on my winch says made in china

 

[doc]

That's good advice I,m sure. But it's not set and forget

Do you think that you are splitting hairs, grasping at straws?

 

[siringo]

maybe splitting threads and grasping at barbs???

 

[d22dave]

Do you think that you are splitting hairs, grasping at straws?

Not really. The statement was steel cable set and forget, i was only pointing out that its note quite as simple as that. Wasnt being a smartarse or a prick just stateing a fact

 

[doc]

Not really. The statement was steel cable set and forget, i was only pointing out that its note quite as simple as that. Wasnt being a smartarse or a prick just stateing a fact

Yep, fair enough.

My first statement was "Cable is basically maintenance-free". My second statement being "If you aren't using the winch regularly, and want something that is "set and forget"..."

In my mind "basically maintenance free" or "set and forget" are not far apart, when the later clarification was spray the thing with some WD40 or lanolin every few months. Not what I would call an intensive maintenance task...

Obviously draw your own conclusions from that.

 

[04SilverSTR]

great info and ideas guys. going to google a few brands and see what I come up with and report back on this thread soon so watch this space

 

[d22dave]

Yep, fair enough.

My first statement was "Cable is basically maintenance-free". My second statement being "If you aren't using the winch regularly, and want something that is "set and forget"..."

In my mind "basically maintenance free" or "set and forget" are not far apart, when the later clarification was spray the thing with some WD40 or lanolin every few months. Not what I would call an intensive maintenance task...

Obviously draw your own conclusions from that.

You sound like me and others on here, capable of some maintenance. But I actually work for a bloke whose idea of looking after your vehicle is to send it in for a service and then you don't need to do anything, and I men do nothing as in don't even check the oil or top the washer bottle up

 

[mitch92]

I have a runva, got a good deal and awesome warranty.

 

[doc]

Hey Dave (D22Dave),

Sorry if I came across grumpy or rude yesterday mate. Carn't of a day...

So no offence intended.

 

[Mairs]

Cable winches are around 20kgs heavier than rope. I wanted something I could lift if needed. No way could I lift the 50kgs of a Warn wire cable, too bloody heavy. We got the Smittybuilt X20, we've used it a couple of times in wet bogs & it's done well, the last time I spent 2 days washing the dirt & mud out of it, but that's the price you pay for something that weighs less on your car & is more user friendly. We also looked for something that could be taken apart if needed for servicing as a few of them have fixed housing which can't be removed, & if you're using a winch or doing water crossings where it is submerged they should all be serviced at least yearly.

If you do get a wire winch ALWAYS use gloves & a dampener for safety's sake! I've heard of people killed or seriously injured when a wire cable snapped. Pretty sobering