I've got a Timpte drop-deck aluminum car trailer I'm currently doing spring maintenance on. It uses an electric winch to drop the deck as shown in this video below.
The 3/8 steel cable from the winch that pulls the rest of the cable set has a kink in it, and I'm wondering if I might be better off replacing it with synthetic line.
The steel cable that's on the winch capstan is also much longer than needed-- it only goes out about half the trailer lenght, makes a 180 degree turn around a pulley, then goes back to a shackle below the winch fairlead.
Thoughts?
That's when I went synthetic - when I got a kink. This is what I bought and I've been happy.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MVZ2QH4?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1
Or, cut the cable before the kink and use the unused portion. When that fails go for synthetic or web strap.
914Driver said:
Or, cut the cable before the kink and use the unused portion.
This is what I would do. Just make sure you have a few wraps still on the winch drum when it is all the way out.
I actually prefer cable to rope, but I know I am in the minority.
Russian Warship, Go Berkeley Yourself said:
914Driver said:
Or, cut the cable before the kink and use the unused portion.
This is what I would do. Just make sure you have a few wraps still on the winch drum when it is all the way out.
I actually prefer cable to rope, but I know I am in the minority.
I've only ever had cable, could you tell us why that's your preference?
In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :
Mostly because I am an Oldhead, I presume.
Been using cable (technically "wire rope") on my offroad and trailer winches since the '80s, and never saw the need to pay more for synthetic winch lines. The biggest issues with wire rope are recoil and the "fish hooks" that can develop when individual strands break when kinked or with with hard use and rip your skin. But I use a winch weight for recovery and always wear robust leather gloves when handling the cable and never let it slip through my hands, which alleviates those concerns. I also inspect the wire rope regularly and replace it when needed, but that need hasn't arisen in 30 years due to taking care of the wire rope when in use.
The downsides of a synthetic winch line are degradation due to abrasion and heat, and the fact that different fairleads and rollers are needed, plus it takes up more room on the drum, giving you less length for recovery purposes, especially when using a snatch block.
