Why switch from Steel Cable to Synthetic Winchlines? Safety, Strength, & Ease of Handling
Safety: Both steel and synthetic winchlines give a very small amount of stretch, the equivalent of less than 1% at breaking pressure. This tiny amount of stretch stores kinetic energy that is released when the line breaks. Since steel winchline is much heavier than synthetic winchline, the force of that stored energy is devastatingly powerful, particularly dangerous with people near. The synthetic line is so light and therefore stores less kinetic energy, which when released, the winchline virtually falls to the ground with a fraction of the force of steel. For this reason, 4x4 offroad racing sanctioning bodies do not allow steel cables because of their inherent danger. Synthetic winchlines are now mandatory.
Ease of Handling: Steel winch cables have a tendency to kink, rust, and have very sharp strands once nicked. They also tend to straighten by the nature of the material making them harder to spool back on the winch properly. Our synthetic winchlines have none of these problems. However, synthetic lines are more susceptible to sharp edges (bumpers in particular) and heat, but they are much stronger, safer and easier to work with.
Strength: Dyneema® synthetic winchline fiber is up to 15 times stronger than quality steel and 40% stronger than Aramid fibers on weight for weight basis. This means the replacement synthetic winchline is typically 35-45% stronger than steel cable! Steel cables are typically sized to match the strength of a winch. For example a 9,500 lb capacity winch will have roughly a 9,500-10,000 lb capacity steel cable. The replacement synthetic line would be 5/16" (7.9mm) or 3/8" (9.5mm). Our Viking Trail Lines are rated at 13,000 lb (4,6 metric ton) for the 5/16" and 19,600 lb (6,2 metric ton) for 3/8", making them approximately 27% and 49% stronger on the conservative side.
Buyer Beware: There are variations of very strong synthetic ropes that we have seen on the market. These can include Amsteel rather than AmSteel-Blue (both can be blue and virtually indistinguishable) and Dyneema SK-60 available as well. Viking Offroad will never substitute synthetic ropes of lesser strength or quality. Viking always use genuine AmSteel-Blue™ for our winchlines.
Viking Trail Line winch lines are Genuine AmSteel-Blue™ with Samthane™, a special coating to help resist abrasion. The raw material in AmSteel-Blue™ is made from Genuine Dyneema® SK-75 HMPE fiber, "which is the worlds strongest fiber™" made by DSM in the Netherlands.
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Viking Off Road Swivel Recovery Point
$68.95Swivel Recovery Points are an excellent method of attaching recovery gear to a vehicle because the swivel turns in the direction of the pull. This is important because it prevents side loading shackles, hooks and the recovery point itself. Learn More -
Viking Off Road Winchline 5/16" Inch Trail Line
$275.14The Winchline Trail Line is made from Samson's 12-Strand AmSteel Blue a Twelve-Strand single braid that is the world's strongest fiber! 13,700 pound breaking Strength. The 5/16 Trail Line weighs less than 3 lbs per 100' and it's extremely low stretch makes this line much safer and easier to use than steel cable. 5/16" is available in Black, Blue or Orange. The prices above include the Tube Thimble Eye and 8 feet of Polyester Line Protector that slides along the line and can be placed where needed during winching. Learn More -
Viking Off Road Winchline 3/8" Inch Trail Line
$315.82The Winchline Trail Line is made from Samson's 12-Strand AmSteel Blue a Twelve-Strand single braid that is the world's strongest fiber! 19,600 pound breaking Strength. The Trail Line in 3/8” diameter only weighs 3.6 lbs per 100’ and it's extremely low stretch makes this line much safer and easier to use than steel cable. Learn More -
Viking Off Road Winchline Excel Hook
$33.00For 5/16" and 3/8" Synthetic Winch Lines. Exceeds the breaking strength of both lines. If ordered with a line it will be pre-installed before shipping Learn More -
3/8"-7/16" Viking Offroad Gunnebo Detachable Hook - 100504
$66.39This hook can be added to any line with Soft or Thimble Eye. 28,600 pound Breaking Strength. Learn More -
Winchline HD Line Protector
$24.00This a 10 foot heady duty line protector that is a very nice item to keep your expensive rope pretty and clean. It can slide to where you need it while winching and can save the day. Learn More
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