Shorter winch line with extension vs longer winch line

I'm trying to decide. Which do you prefer shorter winch line and use extensions or longer winch line? Pro's and Cons?

 

going to make the assumption that you're using synthetic.

i prefer a longer line for a few reasons, but also with extensions.

arguably, the only pro to the shorter line is more pulling power/less heat with pulls requiring only a little bit of line. however depending on how short you go, you risk losing the friction grab on the drum and spinning your cable on the drum.

ive never been in a winching situation where time was a critical factor, so more line and a snatch block was always an option. a single snatch block will gain more power than fewer wraps on the drum.

pros to a longer line are obviously more versatility, especially if you also have an extension or a collection of proper straps and shackles. its also a huge plus to have reserve cable in case you damage or completely break it on the trail. you have plenty more left to re-splice an eye into it and keep pulling.

the only scenario where i would see a shorter line being immensely beneficial is if your competing, where winching time is a critical. in those cases, typically you aren't having to make long line length pulls, and the time saved by not using a snatch block will pay off in your lap time.

 

Thanks, great response! Yes absolutely synthetic and no won't be in any comps. Simply for general recovery. I do have snatch blocks so certainly have that available.

In terms of short I guess not super short. I was considering 85' or 100' mostly but when this popped in my head was considering as low as 50-65'.

 

I'm going to make a suggestion in the opposite direction, and say you should get a dual motor 8274 with 150' of rope. More is better.

/s

Shorter puts your winch in a better situation for a heavy pull, but you can accomplish the same thing and still have less stress on the winch and your charging system and battery by using a snatchblock. It will also slow down the speed of the pull, which the tradeoff is more time, but more control while pulling.

 

Assuming you are kidding about the dual motor. I mean I could also just run it out and put 37’s on and I wouldn’t need the winch.

the problem with going too long is lose a lot of winch power. I guess with a long line you are just assuming to always use a snatch block.

 

I was using the 8274 as an extreme example, lol. It can be modded to pull way above its 10k rating, but don't price one out, you'll cry. When I have a vehicle to mount mine on, it'll get the center section chopped and a piece of smaller diameter tubing welded in (mainly to increase line capacity, but will also allow each subsequent layer of rope to be at a "lower" final drive ratio), a better brake and an 9.5xp motor and control pack. No offroad winch compsnin my future.

A longer line gives you more options than a shorter line, you just need to decide if it's a good tradeoff for you. I've only been stuck enough to need a winch a few times, but each of those times, I needed every bit of line, strap and chain I had with me to find good anchors. Even burned up the control box on my winch and had to build a flop-winch once (made for a very long day). If you are wheeling with others, or the trails you hit allow for shorter pulls, and you need need more pulling power, it's probably easier to go to the next size winch up and run the standard length winch line.

 

I prefer shorter on the drum and then extensions. I'm fortunate enough to live near a major commercial fishing port so I have ready access to all sorts of Amsteel. Right now I've got 80' of 1/2" on the drum and 100' of 3/8" for my extension. My original plan was to do a second extension of 200' in a different color (winch is blue, 100 footer is orange). Samson is about $2.27/foot right now for 3/8". You could probably find cheaper on Amazon, Samson is local to me and I've seen what they consider as rejects for quality control. I haven't done the second extension yet, too much other stuff going on right now. I figure if I can't get out with almost 400' of line in the forested part of the PNW then I should just hang up my keys.

Also, FWIW, Samson is available in 600' spools if you really want to make a variety of extensions

 

Haha I can only imagine what that costs. I already have a winch purchased just trying to get the line where I want it. Besides additional connection points what really are the weaknesses of a shorter line say 75-85ft and then an extension?

Good point. If you can't recover out of that with 400' then there is a bigger problem! Woah I don't need 600' of extension that is for sure. Most of my trails will be on the east coast where there are trees a plenty right off the side of the trail. Why do you have two different diameter ropes for the drum and the extension? Run into any situations where the shorter drum line and the longer extension has caused you issues?

 

I have been in two situations where a shorter line could have caused issues. Both of which had me in very precarious positions on steep hills (one was actually a 40 foot cliff down to a lake). In both scenarios, there were long lines pulls, with a fairly long winching distance. Because of the tightness of the trails (east coast like you), there was no way to get an additional winching vehicle into position. One was actually a solo run, so a second vehicle just didn't exist period. Either way, the issue was that given the resources available; trying to disconnect the winch and reset because the shackle connecting your main to your extension is at the fairleed would have potentially resulted in the truck rolling over in one scenario, and sliding off the cliff in the other. Carying extra comealongs make it possible to secure your vehicle to unload and reset the winch, but that's just another step in an already precarious position. I do carry two comealongs with me generally, especially on solo trips, but like a hi-lift jack, I try to avoid using them at all costs.

 

Because 1/2" was on sale at the time for the same price as 3/8" I could fit more 3/8" on the drum but since I wasn't trying to cram as much on the drum as possible I figured I'd just go with 1/2". Now instead of a safety margin I have a stupid safe safety margin. I've got lots of trees around me as well, but I'm also that guy that explores without other rigs and I've commonly got a trailer with me. I've usually got enough gear to winch the truck/trailer backwards. Haven't had to do that in anger yet, but I've done it in practice. Also, going longer on an extension gives a bit of flexibility. Using something like the Safe-Xtract X-Lock gives you the ability to shorten the extension if need be.

Truth be told, I rarely use my winch when I'm out exploring. I've legitimately used it to get myself out of a stuck once and used it to get others out three or four times in probably 15 years of travel. I use it more at home for moving my stupid projects around or pulling shrubs. The last time I used it was at my kid's school, they needed a club house torn down so I cut all the supports, threw a tree strap through some windows and TIMBER! (kids loved it). I still prefer to have it because there really isn't a great substitute when you need one, but I am also quite a bit more cautious in my travels due to spending so much time where it's just me and the family towing a trailer in the middle of nowhere.

 

Good points. I do want to be able to explore on my own so it does seem like a longer line might make more sense in that regard. I doubt I would be doing anything that crazy where I could roll if I had to reposition but those things aren't ever planned.

I am hoping it's the same. The winch is just an emergency plan for me while exploring. I like the self recovery ability but it was also a requirement of my wife...I didn't complain. I am more the guy for the adventure and time with the family and less wheeling to wheel so if there is an easy route I am going to take it. I have at least one rock I plan to drag out of my yard with it which my kids will love too.

You do have one serious safety margin. How much room does that big extension take up?