Originally Posted by 
LowRanger
				 
			 
Crimping the eyelet to the end of the rope is perfectly fine,as the eyelet has no load bearing.It is used to hold the end of the rope in a fixed position so that it can be wound on the drum only.
With my 12000lb TDS winch,I have used it many times with the original fitment rope,and it is still going strong.But I am careful when using it,and try and lay something between the rope and anything I think it may chafe on.I also wash the rope after every use,but I don't use the washing machine:eek:as I value my teeth,and my rope has a metal thimble in the end where it attaches to the recovery hook.I think that the thimble is very important,as it gives an even radius attachment to the hook,which helps spread the load evenly and helps to stop the rope from kinking.Most of the winch ropes I see for sale here don't come with a thimble at all,just a braided loop at the end of the rope.I also have a new winch rope that I carry for emergencies.It is known as Amsteel Blue Dyneema rope,although mine is green.When it arrived,the first thing I noticed was how different it felt and looked to the rope that came on the winch.It is used by a lot of the competition vehicles in the U.S. where it has a fantastic record.And it is available for a very good price compared to what you buy here.I also have a length of the same material as a winch extension rope,with a thimble at both ends.It certainly beats a winch extension strap,as it is much easier to handle,weighs less and takes up a lot less room in the recovery box,and the price was excellent.
 
Wayne