WINCH ROPE

Following these tips will prolong the life of your synthetic winch rope.

Since too much abrasion can damage or weaken your synthetic winch cable, protect your rope from rubbing against sharp objects or edges. If the winch rope angles over a rock, prevent the rope from chafing with a protective sleeve or heavy blanket. Use a tree strap when anchoring to trees or other objects or when dragging logs or brush. Be aware of any points where the rope may contact sharp edges on your vehicle, such as in off angle pulls, and provide extra protection from chafing where needed.

Regular maintenance will prolong the life of your winch rope. Periodically check the rope for damage or wear. Also, it’s just as important to check the fairlead for damage, as a roughed-up fairlead can easily damage your rope. Never combine a synthetic rope with a fairlead that has sharp edges, such as a fairlead worn down by steel cable. An aluminum hawse fairlead is highly recommended for use with synthetic winch cable, since the aluminum hawse has no sharp edges and resists damage more easily than a roller fairlead.

Keeping your synthetic winch cable clean and dry will also increase the life of your synthetic rope. A wet and muddy winch rope that is left on the winch drum could make your rope susceptible to rot. To clean your rope after a muddy ride, spool out the line, rinse it with a hose, and let it dry completely before respooling.