BKGM Jeepers

I've been wheeling and winching for quite a while and ran rope for 9 years on my tj, without failure. The secret is keeping it covered so it doesn't suffer UV deterioration. After watching a steel line fail during recover and severly damage the jeep it was on, I won't run steel line again. Like everyone says, it's basically personal preference. I am with rope again on my JKU. 5 years of amsteel blue and it still works like the first day I bought it. I keep it covered with a Warn neophrene cover until I need it and it works just fine - plus I know I'm not putting buddies in danger by using it. Remember that clearing out make make for a safer recovery but with steel line d-rings can become projectiles and fly quite far...

RDH475

I am a rigger by trade I have been involved with every aspect of lifting 500 ton+ loads, I like steel on the drum, synthetic for attachment points, steel is more forgiving if it comes in contact with rough objects. That said synthetic is got to be much safer for the average wincher, in my experience when someone is stuck everyone wants to get involved with helping & they might not have the experience to reckognize the dangers,so synthetic could help eleminate one of the hazards. I will run my steel till it becomes non servicable and then I will consider the benifits of changing to synthetic.

GJeep

x2

A Syn line will live longer if covered when not in use, to prevent prolonged exposure the the suns' UV radiation.

Oops... Now I see that it already been said...

GJeep

Frailing is your sign. When you see it starts to frail, replace it, and not before.

NFRs2000NYC

I got my winch with a synthetic line, never used steel before, so I can't comment. I love my synthetic. My friend with an arctic slid into a ditch yesterday on his own property (during the storm, he has a large property and was plowing) and needed to winch himself out. Went to unspool the line, bam, tangled with layers sinking underneath others....so, it was useless. Glad I don't have that problem. The tiny benefits of steel are outweighed (IMHO) by all the benefits of synthetic.

NFRs2000NYC

Complete BS (not saying you, I mean that train of thought.) Im fully convinced that was put out by steel line/chain manufacturers. Boats have mostly switched to all synthetic lines, and they are constantly being beaten, repaired, salted, sprayed, freeze/unfreeze, etc. They are used hundreds of thousands of times in horrible conditions. Some boats have ropes on them that are 10 years old. If you maintain your rope properly, inspect it regularly, you will have plenty of life out of it.

Sahara_Maverick

Another vote for synthetic. Weight is negligible compared to the steel cable and also a lot easier to spool. So, this will go a lot easier on your suspension and gas mileage.

Luckily I never saw any synth break but I read they are a lot safer than steel in case it happens because they do not snap and slice heads off.

Only thing is that you should keep them protected from UV rays but this is easy with a cover, which will also protect your winch.

zig650

Not entirerly true, you have to look outside the box. Tug boats for one use synthetic line and in a commercial application they are pretty rough on towing and mooring lins putting a lot more dynamic load on them than we as jeepers ever will. When I waas in the military we swaped all our hoisting/lifting slings and mooring lines out for synthetic for the same reasons as previously mentioned - but yes you have to take care of them.

Ryan0260

Synthetic all the way. Strong, light, and safe. Get a winch cover to protect the line from UV rays, and use common sense in protecting it from abrasion.

scooby snacks

I'm running synthetic and have no issues or concerns.