winch kit

Hey Guys,
I just got a winch installed and wired up so now I need to get a few things missing from my recovery gear.

Looking at a kit with
Winch dampener, Tree saver, and snatch block.

Found this

$25 STEGODON Winch Damper Cable Cushion Orange 4x4 Recovery Line Dampener Safety Blanket Car Off-Road

stegodon kit.

However I also considered the badlands kit from Harbor Freight that has the same 3 things (although sold separate).

Any input/experience appreciated.

 

I assume you have wire rope?

 

Synthetic. Since posting this, I found some snatch rings made for synthetic rope which seem really cool.

 

Ok well you don’t really need the damper for synthetic rope and make sure the snatch block is made for synthetic rope I do believe there is a difference between the two

 

Thanks, really appreciate the information!

 

I’d go name brand opposed to Amazon for load bearing recovery gear. I’m all for saving money but when a load rating is involved it’s hard to trust off brands.

I’m running ARB for my tree saver, snatch strap, and damper (admittedly could go cheaper on the damper), and smittybilt for my snatch block. I have a few Crosby and arb shackles and a bubba rope soft shackle.

 

Sort of yes and sort of no. At least not for the reason that you may be alluding to. Synthetic lines do recoil. See the video below. The reason that you likely don't need one is that it would pull through the damper before it starts to fall to the ground. Fast forward to the 15:30 minute mark. The rest of the video is also fun to watch. I don't know why anyone would still use a steel rope after watching this video. Also, really makes you want to get rid of any metal winching accessory.
https://youtu.be/97XqNX3yFTk

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like they are use a Dozer to pull the cable beyond it's capacity causing it to snap. I would think a winch would stall out before that would happen. Now some idiot using damaged cable? Well that's another story and just plain stupid.

 

Fair enough and am I just wanted to bring this up to get feedback and input. I definitely agree - Are those ARB meant for steel /synthentic? I really like the snatch ring/shackle combo.

 

I was going to get a damper since it seems pretty damn cheap to not have one even on a synthetic. All this stuff is peace of mind and insurance anyways.

 

ARB what? Tree saver strap? You should always use a tree strap regardless of steel or synthetic line. I have a steel line so I don't have any experience with the recovery rings but they seem like a great option for synthetic line.

I agree with you on the damper. Even with synthetic line that might not "need" it the damper is cheap insurance and also serves as a great flag on the line to make it more noticeable when in use.

 

Sorry for the missing context. ARB snatch block but it seems like you answered my question unless it is compatible with both. I do more research on the snatch ring situation as those definitely seem newer with less info around.

 

I wouldn’t let the newness deter you. If I had a synthetic line I totally would have got a recovery ring instead of snatch block. They make perfect sense.

I also would’ve got a synthetic line if I bought my winch new but I scored mine off Craigslist “broken” for $40 with a steel cable. I fixed it’s bad ground to make it work good as new so beggars can’t be choosers.

 

haha that's awesome!
I actually didn't mean the newness was going to deter me from getting a snatch ring, the newness just makes it more challenging to get feedback on a tried and true product. Do you have one that you would get if you did have a synthetic line?

 

Saw these at my local HF

 

My understanding is that you can use just about any normal recovery gear with synthetic *as long as it was not used by steel cable first*. Steel cable can abrade contact surfaces which can then go on to fray synthetic line.

I picked up a couple of those Harbor Freight winch dampeners. Cheap insurance for $11 each and they are fairly substantial. I have an old tool bag for the winch stuff, they sit nicely in the bottom of it.