Choosing the Correct Size Winch Rope for Your Winch?

It’s finally time to replace that worn out old steel winch cable? Or maybe your wanting to replace your current winch rope with one of ours? How do you choose the correct size winch rope?  What size diameter and length will fit on my winch? Many people assume that when they are purchasing a new winch rope for their winch,  they can get the largest and longest size they can find.  This is absolutely not true and can cause major damage to your winch.  If you want to know the details of this issue continue to read on, or you can go straight to our Winch Rope Conversion Chart to see what size winch rope is recommended for your particular winch model. If you don’t see your winch model, feel free to contact us!

Why the Correct Diameter Size Winch Rope Matters

Winch rope comes in many different diameters to fit strength rating and size of many different brands of winches. Let’s look at why it’s important to determine the correct size diameter winch rope.

Rope Diameter vs Breaking Strength

The Breaking strength of a our synthetic rope is directly related to the diameter. The larger the diameter the higher the breaking strength.  Winch manufacturers rate all of their winches at a max pull strength. The recommended breaking strength of replacement synthetic rope should be 1.5 times the max pulling power of the winch. So a 8,000 lb. winch should have a rope with a minimum breaking strength of at least 12,000 lbs. So the minimum size diameter for this example winch would be our 5/16″ winch rope since it has a breaking strength of 13,000 lbs.

Should you increase the diameter of your winch rope?

You should NOT increase the diameter of you winch rope over OEM specifications. Because synthetic winch rope is stronger than steel cable , the same size synthetic winch rope will still meet or exceed the minimum breaking strength needed for the rated pulling power of the winch. Increasing the diameter of your winch rope does NOT increase the pulling power of your winch. The only time you should consider increasing the diameter of your OEM winch rope is if the winch rope will used in heavily abrasive situations or commercial applications where a higher safety factor is required. Increasing the diameter of your rope will reduce the maximum length.

Why You Need to Choose the Correct Length Winch Rope

What about the correct length of winch rope? Winches are designed to produce a certain amount of pulling power using a determined rope or cable diameter and length of rope. Changing the either one of these can effect the original specification of the winch. Each winch is designed to hold a certain amount of rope on the winch drum. The correct length also keeps from overloading one side of the winch drum during angled pulls. Very rarely do we get lucky enough to have consistent straight pulls. If you overload one side of the winch drum during an angled pull due to too much length of rope, the rope could come in contact with the winch’s tie-bars which can damage your rope and destroy the winch.

What length do I need if I increase the diameter of my winch rope?

The “Rule of Thumb” we go by is for every size up in diameter over the original size winch cable or rope, you reduce the length by 15 feet. This allows you to run the larger, stronger size diameter rope while still maintaining the pulling power of the winch. Each layer of rope added on the winch drum reduces your winch’s pulling power.  Remember, the first layer of rope on the winch drum is where the winch can achieve its maximum pulling strength.

So what do you do if you need more length from your winch rope?

Check out our Winch Rope Extensions!