Winch Cable or Strap?

[Starcraft5834]

VENTURE 2" x 30ft Heavy-Duty Trailer Winch Strap w/Loop End #46521

Wanted recommendations.....have a 20ft cuddy on Shorlandr trailer w/ rollers... have cable on hand winch now,,noted it's likely original and has some freys (the kind that jab into your hand while loading ), was thinking of replacing in spring.. the strap above seems to have more than enough working load capability (4,000 lb). What I've read from manufactorers is a 2/1 ratio... 2500 winch ok for a 5000 boat... my boat's under 3K... would'nt this 4000lb strap be fine? my hands would appreciate getting rid of cable and going with this...... thanks guys..

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Winch Cable or Strap?

2 to 1 in your case refers to a block or pulley at the hook end, mechanically increasing the advantage. You can move twice the weight but it takes twice as long (simplified explanation). You can do this with cable but not strap.

On my electric winch I do use a 2 to 1 and cable because I am using a smaller winch with a 21 foot cuddy. In my other boat trailers, I exclusively use straps because they are so much easier to wind onto the drum and as you have learned they don't stab your fingers.

The weight of the boat does relate in some way to the effort needed to winch it onto the trailer BUT you are not lifting a 3000 pound boat straight up so the pull is much less. a 4000 pound working load strap should be sufficient.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Winch Cable or Strap?

I like a strap.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Winch Cable or Strap?

I agree, strap is looking good, my fingers will thank me too

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Winch Cable or Strap?

it's a ford v chevy choice

I have always used cables and never been stabbed; this is on hand winches and power winches. I have recently rigged one winch with a strap and it's fine--but it has to be a single pull hand winch. Cable seems to be easier to unwind and because it weighs less, easier to stretch out and lay on the trailer for hook-up.

If you are a trailer dunker (i'm not) with only a short pull it doesn't really matter.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Winch Cable or Strap?

Im a dunker.... soon to be a strap user... thanks

 

[JimS123]

Re: Winch Cable or Strap?

I hate the straps on 3 of my trailers. I'm always pushing on the strap to keep it from folding over. I never have to touch the steel cable on the big trailer - it feeds on by itself. When I pull it out I always pull with the hook.

Just keep your hands off it and no more sore fingers.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Winch Cable or Strap?

Strap! I hate cables.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Winch Cable or Strap?

have 5 straps on 4 trailers (figure that one out) and would never go back to a cantankerous cable.

BTW It IS possible to use 2:1 with a strap, just need the right kind of pulley, BUT honestly if you are using 2:1 you'd be better off with a bigger winch...... Obviously with electric winches the cost goes way up when going bigger but hand winches can be had at pretty reasonable cost with capacities of 10k or more w 2 speed cranking

 

[alldodge]

Re: Winch Cable or Strap?

I like straps and one of these days I'll pick up a heaver one for the cruiser. Have a 10000 boat being held at the bow by a 1800 to 2000 capacity strap. It snapped one time just cinching it down. It was 25 feet long so I unrolled the whole thing, doubled it and wound it back up. Then slipped both layers through the hook eye and tied it off. Guess I'm looking a little under 4000 now.

Edit: might have been a bit more then 2000 pound strap originally, still snapped way to easy

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Winch Cable or Strap?

Hmmmm! does this thread have the makings of a "which oil is better" and "Ethanol in gasoline" debate? Stay tuned! LOL

 

[Fleetwin]

Re: Winch Cable or Strap?

STRAP!

In the olden days, all we had were cables and they would "PART" from time to time. One of those partings can kill you.

A strap> Good news. They have come a long way. They can-now-handle the loads and if they do break, they might slap you real hard but won't remove body parts.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Winch Cable or Strap?

Ayuh,.... I'm Done with cable or Wire rope,....

My winches get straps on smaller boats, 'n good quality fabric Rope on the others,....

3/8" double braid can be bought with a 7,200lb. breakin' strength,...

 

[phillyg]

Re: Winch Cable or Strap?

I've had both and much prefer a strap.

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Winch Cable or Strap?

I use a rope, it works great:noidea: if I had to choose between a cable or strap, I would prefer a strap. yep def rather be hit with a strap op2:

 

[BigDfromTN]

Re: Winch Cable or Strap?

+1 in the strap camp. And im a trailer dunker too.

 

[Icicle]

Re: Winch Cable or Strap?

I bought a strap and never looked back.....

 

[gm280]

Re: Winch Cable or Strap?

Strap for me too... I do know what you are talking about with cable frays all too much. ATV and car winches...

 

[redneck joe]

Re: Winch Cable or Strap?

Ayuh,.... I'm Done with cable or Wire rope,....

My winches get straps on smaller boats, 'n good quality fabric Rope on the others,....

3/8" double braid can be bought with a 7,200lb. breakin' strength,...

could you retry the link sir? Not working for me.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: Winch Cable or Strap?

it's a ford v chevy choice

then go Dodge...