Synthetic winch rope - life span

[86mud]

Hi all

I have had my winch rope for about 5 years. Used it in anger maybe 10 times. Otherwise it just sits on the winch. There is no direct sunlight on it only the light via the opening of the hawse.

It is not frayed or damaged.

Can I still trust it?

[Tombie]

I still use mine... Its 15 years old Having said that - I wouldn't be hanging the vehicle off of anything by its own though...

And I do carry a replacement roll

[Hamish3300]

The question that I would ask then is what is trust worth? A new roll of dyneema is a couple of hundred dollars. What is peace of mind worth?

You could perhaps try it out with a load, but not a critical one and see if it breaks.

I'd rather just spend the few hundred and buy new rope and have peace of mind.

....just some thoughts for you.

[Tombie]

The question that I would ask then is what is trust worth? A new roll of dyneema is a couple of hundred dollars. What is peace of mind worth?

You could perhaps try it out with a load, but not a critical one and see if it breaks.

I'd rather just spend the few hundred and buy new rope and have peace of mind.

....just some thoughts for you.

Brand new rope has broken before...

As has new rope that accidentally scraped a rock during a recovery..

No peace of mind in new... Peace of mind comes from equipment checks and care when in use..

[vnx205]

Is UV light a big killer of synthetic rope?

[Tank]

Yes, mooring lines for ships are coloured orange, which offers UV protection, for how long I don't know, an email to the manufacturer should reveal how long before UV degradation is a concern, Regards Frank.

Is UV light a big killer of synthetic rope?

[86mud]

So where is the best place to by replacement rope? ARB shop? ebay?

I guess I could shout the truck some new rope

[weeds]

I brought mine at dobinsons springs......it was on special at the time and seemed good value for money.

I did a thread ages ago in the recovery section........about selecting rope, than didn't follow my own research.

[cuppabillytea]

Hi all

I have had my winch rope for about 5 years. Used it in anger maybe 10 times. Otherwise it just sits on the winch. There is no direct sunlight on it only the light via the opening of the hawse.

It is not frayed or damaged.

Can I still trust it?

If it is not frayed, discoloured, or oily, it should be fine. Sun, oil and grit will damage your rope and it is not as strong when wet but you can't do much about that.
Cheers Billy.
PS. I've been mooring ships for 15 years and I haven't seen an orange line yet. The lines which are usually supplied for winches are very strong but they have poor sheer strength so are easily cut.

[Tank]

Well I worked in shipbuilding and repair for over 20 years and have seen every colour including orange mooring lines, Regards Frank.

If it is not frayed, discoloured, or oily, it should be fine. Sun, oil and grit will damage your rope and it is not as strong when wet but you can't do much about that.
Cheers Billy.
PS. I've been mooring ships for 15 years and I haven't seen an orange line yet. The lines which are usually supplied for winches are very strong but they have poor sheer strength so are easily cut.