How much weight will I really save by going with a synthetic line vs steel for my winch?

100 ft 3/8's steel
100 ft 5/16 synthetic.

Thanks

 

About 20 lbs or so. No big deal.

 

Great! thanks for the quick response

 

if you add in the difference from the aluminum hawse to the steel roller its closer to 30 lbs....

 

Not enough to worry about it.

 

I would say it's over 30, and for me personally, I will take the weight savings

 

Here are some real-world numbers. The sizes of these steel and synthetic lines are a little different than what you asked for, but the overall weight savings will be similar.

Steel Cable Setup

• 125' of 5/16" steel cable from Warn 9.5cti winch = 21 lbs
• Warn roller fairlead (P/N 5742) = 10.8 lbs.
• Warn 3/8" clevis hook (P/N 63979) = 1 lb
• Total weight = 32.8 lbs

Synthetic Rope Setup

• 100' of 3/8" synthetic rope with Viking safety thimble = 4.5 lbs.
• Aluminum Hawse fairlead = 2 lbs (estimated)
• Total weight = 6.5 lbs

 

yup it may not seem like much but that's another 30lbs off of your front end. And on these pigs every lb counts.

 

You could also save weight by skipping the cheeseburger for lunch.

I wouldn't go synthetic just for the weight savings.

However if you have extra money, the synthetic is easier to handle and safer during a failure. You can coil it, toss it, handle it with ease. It won't cut your hands. It won't coil up and go all over the place.

It's also stronger and less likely to snap.

You can tie it in a knot if it does break to get you out of the hole and still spool it.

However, it's more susceptible to UV damage, etc... and should be kept covered from the sunlight.

I have used synthetic and loved it. My new winch still has steel cable on it and it's a PITA.

 

It may not seem like much, but when you're pulling cable the difference between steel and synthetic is incredible. Just remember to put a cover over your spool or the sun will break the line down faster than you want.