Synthetic Rope

[Buddy Lee]

Since I could not find a light bar that I liked I decided to put that off for the time being and order some synthetic winch rope. Since my cable got kinked last time I was out due to some bonehead not respooling under enough load before leaving on a trip.

It still looked ok but I figured better safe then sorry plus I was looking for an excuse to replace the cable anyway. For some reason cable just scares me but I didn't want to replace it w/o a good reason.

Anyway I digress. Never having used Synth Rope other then dragging it out for other people I have a question. Do you have to spool synth rope under load like you do the cable since it's technically soft and will squish anyway? I've got a long and steep enough driveway just nothing really to secure it to other then some way small trees and I don't think I want to use my Mazda 3 as an anchor.

Other then that I'm pretty amazed that something so light and flimsy looking can be so strong.

Thanks for any pointers

[01001010]

Yep, its gotta be spooled under load.

Get creative... go to a park's parking lot at night... attach it to a tree or pole or w/e... get the engine running and start spooling in with your foot light on the brake and if you can, get someone else to tag along to make sure it spools up correctly (or to be the one on the brakes)

[Buddy Lee]

Thanks I'll figure something out.

[01001010]

Buddy, why am I under the impression you're from GA? If you are, and are in northern GA, we can meet up Friday and you can use my truck as an anchor.

[Disco Mike]

I only spooled mine under load the first time over 4 years ago, and never since. I actually got so much mud and sand in the road over the years that I removed the rope and washed it twice in my dish washer, then respooled it and never looked back.
What size rope did you buy, 5/16th or the 3/8th? I am running the 3/8th and have never had any problems with it.
Mike

[Buddy Lee]

JC I'm actually in Central NC but thanks for the offer to help.

Mike, I got the 5/16th I figured at 13,500lbs it was plenty for my 9,000lbs winch. I know the 3/8th is supposed to hold up better to wear and tear but I don't use it much anyway so it should last a while.

[antichrist]

Your Mazda would be fine as an anchor, provided it has lashing points from shipping. You can do it on the flat by applying a little pressure to your hand brake.

[Buddy Lee]

Originally Posted by antichrist

Your Mazda would be fine as an anchor, provided it has lashing points from shipping. You can do it on the flat by applying a little pressure to your hand brake.

Thanks I know the lashing points would be fine but since it's a Mazda 3 I did not want to put that much strain on the parking break or gearbox. If I had someone to sit in it and hold the brakes with it in neutral I probably would have used it. But my driveway is about a 10' incline and the Rover is around 5,000lbs that's a lot of strain on a little gear box.

But no worries I got it spooled. I just used one of the trees in my side yard it's only about a 5' incline but I also lightly set the parking break and it seemed to give it decent resistance.

I really like the way this stuff handles but it still baffles me how something that looks and feels so light can be so strong.