Back 
Content
- Metal cable
- Fear of corrosion
- Great weight
- How to care for steel wire rope
- Synthetic rope
- Light and strong
- Ease of use
- How to care for synthetic rope
- Synthetic or metal rope: pros and cons
Disputes about whichwinch cablethe best, has been around for ages among off-road enthusiasts. Some make a choice in favor of metal, others prefer to use synthetic. To understand which option is right for you, you should consider the pros and cons of both options.
Metal cable
Metal cable is the traditional choice of many SUV owners because of its:
- Unpretentiousness;
- A lower price;
- High abrasion resistance.
The latter quality is especially important in situations where the rope rubs against sharp surfaces such as rocks during towing. Of course, there is a limit to everything. But in matters of strength, it is difficult to argue with steel.
Fear of corrosion
The Achilles heel of metal ropes is corrosion. If you do not monitor the product, rust will slowly destroy it. This is the main reason they end up breaking up.
In addition, as the rope wears, sharp burrs appear on which it is easy to cut yourself. Therefore, to work with it in the car, you must have protective gloves.
Great weight
As you know, steel is a rather heavy material. Therefore, a winch with such a rope will inevitably weigh more than an analog with synthetics.
Also, due to the large mass and density, the metal cable is a huge danger in the event of a break. Therefore, it is forbidden to stand next to it during towing.
Experienced drivers attach any load, such as a bag, to the stretched cable so that it does not fly far. But it does not always work.
How to care for steel wire rope
Although the metal cable has enough disadvantages, they are covered by one significant advantage — unpretentiousness and a huge service life.
It does not get wet and is not afraid of ultraviolet. It is only necessary to periodically lubricate it with grease or WD-40 so that it does not rust. And in case of damage, buying a steel cable for a winch is significantly cheaper than a synthetic analogue.
Synthetic rope
Car winches fromsynthetic ropesbegan to gain popularity in the 1990s. Before that, they were mainly used on boats. But their qualities turned out to be useful on off-road as well.
Light and strong
Surprisingly, all other things being equal, a high-quality synthetic rope can be 15 times stronger than a metal one. At the same time, such a cable is much lighter than its steel counterparts and does not sink in water.
It has significantly less energy when towing. Therefore, it does not fly so far when it breaks, and is less dangerous for both people and cars.
However, safety precautions should still be followed when using a synthetic rope winch.
Ease of use
Unlike a steel cable, synthetics do not damage the hands. In addition, it does not heat up in the sun and does not become cold in the frost, like metal. Therefore, gloves are not required.
Also, the cable made of synthetic fibers is very elastic, thanks to which it does not twist, does not slip and is easily fixed in one place. At the same time, it has a higher tensile strength than a metal rope.
How to care for synthetic rope
Synthetic winch rope is easy to use but difficult to maintain in good condition. The life expectancy of such a product is affected by the following factors:
- UltravioletWith prolonged exposure, the sun's rays destroy the composition of the cable, reducing its quality;
- Water.Синтетичні троси вбирають воду, через що стають помітно важчими. And during frost, a wet rope can completely freeze;
- Friction.Synthetic rope is more damaged by friction against sharp surfaces than steel.
Rope made of synthetic fibers has a shorter service life than steel options. And it costs more. But at the same time it is easier to repair.
Synthetic or metal rope: pros and cons
Metal cable
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Can be pulled through rough, stony surfaces | Heavy and more dangerous when it breaks |
| Insensitive to sunlight | It cannot be restored if it rusts |
| Cheaper than synthetic | Hurts hands |
Synthetic rope
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| It weighs little and is easy to work with | Destroyed by sunlight |
| Stronger than metal to tear | Absorbs water |
| Less dangerous | It wears off faster |
Summing up, it is safe to say that there is no perfect solution. It all depends on how you will use the winch and what budget you have at your disposal.
In our online store you canit is profitable to buy a winchfor virtually any on-road or off-road situation. And if you need help installing it, ourstuning studiowill do it qualitatively and in just a few hours.
7min 
