How much of an issue is synthetic line melting from Viking Offroad? I've spent several (dozen!) hours researching this issue on jk-forum and the rest of the web and get conflicting reports. I don't foresee doing a lot of powered line-out winches that seem to be the main issue.

In a related note, I'm leaning towards Viking Offroad on price + performance. I'd like Master-Pull Superline XD but it's not in my budget. But I could go a lower grade of Master-Pull like the slightly lower-level Superline w/Kevlar heatshield if it seemed worth the extra cost (around $100). Is it worth it?

Thanks!

 

I had one of their last generation winch lines on my EP 9.0 (9000lb capacity) Superwinch and in the end replaced it due to melting and wear. This was however after about 5 years of hard service including winching out under power, sidepulls, etc on an almost 6000 lb Land Rover so overall I think that's pretty good all things considered. Planetary electric winches get hot - period and eventually you will melt the last wrap of the rope. I replaced it with another rope from Viking.

 

From what I've read on the subject, it's when you put a load on the winch and use it in reverse (winching out) for extended periods that the braking mechanism gets hot and really heats up the drum. I'm guessing it must just create a lot of friction with the brake trying to hold all that weight and that's what does it. Just use the winch for what it's meant for primarily....pulling, and it should be fine like that.

 

I have not had an issue with mine had it for 3-4 yrs.

 

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. Winching out seems like a rare thing (I can come up with worst-case scenarios, but they seem rare), so Viking still seems like a good solution inside of my budget.

 

Go to WWW.jeepswag and look at the synthetic line Brett offers. I just bought mine, and when I saw the end with tape around it, I asked why he doesn't burn it. He told me the fibers were aramid and would not burn. I figure that might also stop it from melting. He also has fair prices.