No matter how competent you consider yourself at off-roading, there comes a time when you’ll get stuck and need winching out. Don’t sweat it; getting stuck and needing winching out is a rite of passage that every off-roader goes through on their journey. Talk to the seasoned pros, and they will readily admit it! After all, why do they have those large and powerful winches installed on their fully decked-out off-roaders? Winching is part and parcel of getting closer to the great outdoors. However, it’s not as easy as it looks in videos.
Don’t worry, at 4 Wheel Parts we’re here to explain the key things you need to know, and what to expect from Smittybilt winches with synthetic rope. Just hit up this link on our website, and you can find a broad range of Smittybilt winches with synthetic, as well as steel, ropes to choose from.
Synthetic Vs Steel Rope
The first thing we’re going to talk about is synthetic vs steel rope. In the past, steel ropes or winch cables were the mainstays of winching, simply because nothing could come close to the strength and load-bearing capacity of an aircraft-grade steel rope — and that’s something crucial when you’re pulling an off-roader that may well weigh close to 10,000 pounds when fully tricked out and loaded with your off-roading and camping gear. Steel is less prone to fraying in adverse conditions, however, you do need to use gloves to avoid injuring yourself on the burrs that occur over time. And remember to keep your steel winch ropes lubricated with something such as WD-40 to keep rust away for as long as possible.
Thankfully, synthetic rope technology has caught up, and you can purchase winches with this material, which is a form of polyethylene similar to what is used in fishing lines. Synthetic ropes do not develop burrs, are significantly lighter than steel ropes, and are safer to handle. However, they must be protected when not in use as exposure to UV light and heat, as well as some cleaning chemicals can degrade them. Just like steel ropes, they can break under tension. However, repairing a synthetic rope is easier in the field, as there are ways to braid the two ends into something serviceable, albeit with reduced tensile strength due to the apparent weak spot.
Installing Your Winch Rope & Hooking It
When installing your winch rope and hooking it, it pays to use the right accessories such as D-rings, straps, and safety gear such as gloves. Although you don’t strictly need gloves with synthetic ropes, we’re going to recommend them for added safety, as you can catch rope burns from synthetic rope if you grip it while operating the winch. Check out this video from Smittybilt on how to install and hook a winch rope.
Use Hand Signals
Shouting instructions in the field is not a foolproof method of communication, especially if you’re in a noisy environment or don’t want to disturb the peace and quiet of the forest. This is why winching hand signals are highly recommended. The pros know these by heart, and we’d recommend that you study and practice them as well. Winching hand signals include indicating the direction of steering, starting, pausing, braking, and ceasing winching altogether, as well as signs of danger. There are also signals for asking a winching vehicle for a drive assist, which is where, in addition to the winch, the vehicle engages gear and moves forward or backwards, adding further pulling power to the winching at hand.
Don’t Stand Too Close to the Winch Line
If you’ve seen a rope snap, either in real life, or in a video, you know that you shouldn’t be near it. Imagine a winch cable snapping while under tension, pulling a 10,000+ pound off-roader, and it can knock a person clean off their feet, at the very least seriously injuring them, or even killing them. That is why everyone involved in winching should stay clear of the cable’s direct pathway should it snap, and take cover as much as possible. Even if your winch line doesn’t snap, holding it at the wrong time, such as while activating the winch, can give you a nasty rope burn on your hands, and if the cable is resting against your leg, you can receive a bad injury. A winch cable in use is dangerous, and should be considered as such. Always release the tension on your winch cable as soon as the winching operation is completed before approaching the cable to release it from the vehicle and stow it.
Take Your Time!
Off-roading may appear frenetic if you watch videos or see it on TV, but in real life, it is a very slow endeavor. A few hundred meters at a sprightly speed might be punctuated by half an hour or so at a standstill, because someone needs assistance. The key thing to remember with all off-roading activities, including winching is to take your time. It is not a race (unless you’re competing in one, in which case, you probably know the entire content of this article anyway).
So, we’re assuming you’re not in an off-road competition. In that case, take your time. Ensure that every connection and hook-up that you make has been double and triple-checked for integrity. Take a few moments to check that everyone has taken cover, and nobody is in the danger zone of a winch cable should it snap. Breathe, relax, and gently take up the slack.
Winching Gear And Everything Off-Road From 4 Wheel Parts
We at 4 Wheel Parts are experts in everything off-road. Our friendly and experienced staff are always on hand, whether you choose to drop by one of our 90+ stores located nationwide, or shop via our website from the comfort of your favorite chair. If you do, we’ve got six distribution centers working efficiently to have your order at your doorstep, pronto. Whether its Smittybilt or any other renowned off-road gear brand, we’re bound to have it among our thousands of products.
What’s more, our price matching policy assures you of the best prices, and we offer comprehensive warranties where applicable. It’s that simple and streamlined, really. Choose 4 Wheel Parts and you won’t need to hunt for a reliable off-road gear supplier again.
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