How much winch rope to fit ?

[Mike_S]

I'm looking to replace the winchrope on my Warn XP, it's fitted with 11mm plasma at the moment that's original from the G4 Challenge back in 2006. I used it a few weeks ago and it's looking a bit tired.

Question is, how much to get ? I can get the same 11mm plasma again in 100, 125 or 150ft coils (30, 38 or 46m) ready to go with the hook etc, I'm just not sure how much is best to have on the drum.

So, who's got what length (missus) ?

[newhue]

might have to pull it out and pace it out. Longer the better really but how its wound on may be the difference from a 30 and 36. I find with plasma its not good to spool it on neatly beside the last roll on the rope. The reason is it binds up when next under load and then you cant pull it out.
Of course the opposite then is for being wound on with a little criss crossing in it; taking more space on the spool there for less overall room for line, but at least I can pull it out.

[Reads90]

Buy a 25m winch extension strop and It does not matter.

When winch changeling I used to have 120 foot on my warn 8274. Found with the winch extension strip I did not need any more.

[Reads90]

might have to pull it out and pace it out. Longer the better really but how its wound on may be the difference from a 30 and 36. I find with plasma its not good to spool it on neatly beside the last roll on the rope. The reason is it binds up when next under load and then you cant pull it out.
Of course the opposite then is for being wound on with a little criss crossing in it; taking more space on the spool there for less overall room for line, but at least I can pull it out.

Not really longer the better. The more rope / wire on the winch the less it can pull. You reduce the power off the winch with more winds of rope or cable on it.

[Tombie]

Reads is on the money - 38 mtrs plus extension will do everything in 99% of recoveries...

I have 38 mtrs and then 3x 20mtr dyneema extensions

[LowRanger]

I think you will find,that with 11mm plasma,that the xp will happily take the 30 mtrs roll.It will probably take 38mtrs if you wind it on nice and neat,but as newhue said,when you put it under load,the rope tends to bind together.The best way to load Dyneema rope is again as newhue said,in a crisscross pattern to avoid the rope binding together.This usually means that you can't fit as much rope on the drum.And don't forget to wind the rope on,under tension.
I know that with my 12000lb winch with 7/16 Dyneema rope,that using the crisscross loading method,I can only load 30mtrs before it fouls on the cross bars of the winch.

[Tombie]

I must admit, why use 11mm.... the load rating is far above necessary...

[LowRanger]

I must admit, why use 11mm.... the load rating is far above necessary...

Yes,I too use rope that is rated a lot higher than is required.But I like to know that if I or someone is hanging off the side of a mountain on the winch line,that there is considerable strength left in the rope

[Tombie]

Yes,I too use rope that is rated a lot higher than is required.But I like to know that if I or someone is hanging off the side of a mountain on the winch line,that there is considerable strength left in the rope

Agree however...

Dyneema has only 1 real enemy - abrasion...

Doesn't matter what diameter, if it gets sliced on a rock etc it will break.

Hence the requirement for abrasion sleeves.


For info for people here: These are the ratings:

Nom. 8mm (5/16") Avg Strength: 6,200kg Min Strength: 5,200kg
Nom. 9mm (3/8") Avg Strength: 8,900kg Min Strength: 8,000kg
Nom. 11mm (7/16") Avg Strength: 10,900kg Min Strength: 9,800kg

Note these are KG not Lbs

A 9500XP is 4309kg maximum pull.

[Reads90]

Agree however...

Dyneema has only 1 real enemy - abrasion...

Doesn't matter what diameter, if it gets sliced on a rock etc it will break.

Hence the requirement for abrasion sleeves.


For info for people here: These are the ratings:


Although the worst enemy is dirt , if you don't clean them they will grete together and the cause damage making it week and have to keep it clean and free of sand.

Also there is also the other problem of the winch brake. Most of the winch challenge boys run high mounts or 8274's as they are called in Europe. They have the brake on the side. Where as most winches have it in the drum and this can / will melt the rope.

[LowRanger]

Agree however...

Dyneema has only 1 real enemy - abrasion...

Doesn't matter what diameter, if it gets sliced on a rock etc it will break.

Hence the requirement for abrasion sleeves.


For info for people here: These are the ratings:

Nom. 8mm (5/16") Avg Strength: 6,200kg Min Strength: 5,200kg
Nom. 9mm (3/8") Avg Strength: 8,900kg Min Strength: 8,000kg
Nom. 11mm (7/16") Avg Strength: 10,900kg Min Strength: 9,800kg

Note these are KG not Lbs

A 9500XP is 4309kg maximum pull.

Both my winch rope and my extension is rated on the higher side of those figures.And one thing that is often overlooked on the cheaper ropes that I see for sale,is that they are terminated with just a loop.To avoid stress points caused when connecting to a shackle or recovery point,the rope should come fitted with a metal thimble,which will distribute the load around the termination point.I also use a better hook than what comes fitted to most winches.