Winch synthetic/steel vs pull force trade off?

Hey all,
I don't know if I just suck at searching on here, but I'm not finding the info I'm looking for... I'm looking to get a Warn Zeon winch but I'm not a millionaire, so I'm in between the 8s or the 10 (steel). Please don't try and convince me of another winch unless it is 1. waterproof 2. manufactured in the US 3. a warn zeon

Is synthetic a better upgrade than the extra pull? I live in the dirty-T (tucson, AZ) so I'm a little concerned with the UV and synthetic, but maybe this is a dumb concern. My thoughts are that the 8s ($842) weighs less, but the 10 steel ($704) I can upgrade to synthetic in the future, but it will cost at least an extra $372 to upgrade, making it $1076. Is the 10 kips load capacity over kill (kip = 1000 Lbs)? Any help with this would be much appreciated.

Thanks all!

 

Get the 8s and use snatch blocks to increase pull if you need to. UV is pretty much a non-issue in a bumper mounted winch.

 

I went with a Zeon 8S. A snatch block will give you the all pulling power you need and allow you to run out most of the winch line which is needed to attain peak pulling power.

 

It does not cost $372 to upgrade to a nice synthetic rope.

http://usawinch.com/shop/winch-synthetic-rope-38-x-85-14204lb/

I have this exact line on my M8000, it's quality stuff, and great value.

 

Damn Landphil... You just opened a whole new can of worms... (in a good way)

so the price point is very nice on the Runva, and at 14200 Lbs (vs 14400) its just as strong. But warn only warranties spydura, but further investigation led me to Warn's recommendation that you change the synthetic rope every 12 months; WTF! I know that it will last waaaayyyyyy longer than 12 months, but it that some crap they use to get out of warranty? If so wouldn't Steel be the safer bet?

I've never used synthetic, all my family buys steel cable; but then again they all drive dodge

 

Steel does have advantages, but for me, the weight and safety of synthetic line outweighed the disadvantages. I wasn't concerned about warranty, though it was strong enough to briefly stall (2nd wrap) my M8000 with no ill effects.

Just to be clear, I was only recommending the Runva line (and their aluminum fairleads are sweet too), not their winches - I have no experience with them.

 

hmmm... I don't want to sound like a dumb ass, but I'm just a nervous spender (cause I'm usually Cheap!)

you run a M8000 which is equivalent to the zeon 8, so I'm assuming you allong with everyone else here so far feels that the 8 kips is enough. Zeon 8s = $841.93 (after rebate). Zeon 8 + Runva rope and fairleads = 727.03 + 129 + 30 = 886.03. Current Warn prices on Amazon after Warn rebate. Note that the prices change all the f'in time, its like the stock market.

So to me its seems that--since everyone so far is unanimous about synthetic--the best option is too start with the 8s. Then when it become time to replace the rope in x amount of years, look into after market, e.g. Runva.

Another question for everyone: have you had to change your synthetic rope? How often? Please provide climate and usage rating e.g. light/medium/heavy or other game changers like salted roads.

Thanks again to all of you, this has been helpful in my decision making

 

All it says is "synthetic", no mention of exactly which synthetic fibre (there are thousands) or who made it. It is most likely UHMWPE (Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene), but I'd want to know for sure, and who made it...

 

It is indeed UHMWPE, I do recall that much.

I never had to replace it, in 2 years it was on the Tacoma I used it 3 or 4 times, with no ill effects or signs of deterioration. It's been sitting in my shop since the wreck that totalled my Tacoma last fall.

 

UHMWPE has good UV resistance, its main "enemy" is heat but even there it is safe to use at 175° to 210° F.

The good thing about rope vs. cable is that when rope breaks it snap back in a straight line and then just slumps to the ground; anyone standing next to it would likely have to go home and change their undies, but they wouldn't be badly cut-up or dead..

Cable however rarely breaks cleanly. One or two strands will break and then unwind flailing out 8 to 10 ft or more. People standing next to that have been cut-up badly and even decapitated.

Here's a good video showing the difference in how they break. Keep in mind also that in this test the anchor points of the tensile strength tester stop moving when the cable breaks--imagine how those broken strands would fly about if connected to a stuck truck and another pulling its brains out that keeps on pulling even after the first strands break...