Is Steel Cable Or Synthetic Rope Better For A 4x4 Winch?
A 12v winch is one of the most popular accessories you'll find on modern 4x4's; the choice between using steel cable or synthetic rope on your winch is a question we get asked a lot, so let's run through your options.
Which winch rope is cheaper, steel cable or synthetic?"If you want a more affordable option then steel cable is the go.
But, for many people the extra investment in synthetic rope can pay off over the long term – both in usability and the lack of future desire to swap cable types in the future.
Which winch rope weighs less, steel cable or synthetic?
Synthetic rope is a huge weight saving over the equivalent steel cable.
Generally you'll drop 10-15kg by going to synthetic rope, which can be a huge saving – both on your front suspension and also on yourself when handling and using the winch.
Which winch rope is more durable, steel cable or synthetic?
Durability is an even match – the synthetic rope is more prone to abrasion, but the steel cable will also suffer if not treated correctly – developing burrs.
Synthetic rope wins out with rust resistance, with steel cables if untreated becoming rusty.
Which winch rope is easier to handle, steel cable or synthetic rope?
Synthetic rope is much safer and easier to handle because it weighs less, is more flexible and malleable, making it more compliant. It also happens to float.
Steel cable on the other hand requires gloves to handle as metal filings can get stuck into your skin (not a pleasant experience). It also has built in tension within it making it feel like it's spring loaded.
Which winch rope is safer to use, steel cable or synthetic rope?
There is no questioning it, synthetic rope is safer.
By design synthetic rope doesn’t store nearly as much potential energy, so if the rope should snap it won’t be nearly as dangerous.
However, a winch damper is still always recommended to use.
As we mentioned earlier, synthetic also doesn’t suffer from filings and burrs the same way steel cable does – meaning it’s a lot safer to handle as well.
Which winch rope would we choose overall?
Overall, we can’t recommend taking advantage of all the benefits that synthetic rope provides.
The small additional initial cost is outweighed by the ease of use and safety of synthetic rope.
However, we're all about options, and our Frontier Winch is available in 9,500 lb and 12,000 lb steel cable or synthetic rope versions.
Choosing the correct size winch for your 4x4
The size of the winch is generally matched to your 4x4's weight, so the choice comes down to whether you choose steel cable or synthetic rope.
If you're unsure of what size winch you need, check out our blog on how to calculate what size winch you need for your 4x4.