What Happens When Synthetic Winch Line Breaks

After almost 2 years of using this winch line that came with my Open Road 4WD Panther Series 2 winch, it needed to be replaced but I hadn't done it yet. On Pritchett Canyon after several hard winch pulls after suffering a broken u-joint, the rope snapped safely.
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[@Grunttamer]

Yes finally got to see one break. The fact that the material doesn’t really stretch is the big key here. Anything that deforms before breaking is storing up dangerous energy to be released.

[@bradarsenault6984]

This is true only for elastic deformation. Plastic deformation stores very little energy.

[@Grunttamer]

@@bradarsenault6984 tell that to a breaking chain…

[@bradarsenault6984]

@@Grunttamer ok. Chains and almost any metal under tension goes through elastic deformation before plastic and then failure

[@wiciuwiciu2783]

​@@Grunttamer we're forging studs on rebars. Then we test it for tension. A 30mm one breaks so fucking loud and hard, it shakes a 2 tonne machine and half of a building.

[@NarutoUzumaki-Nam]

​@@Grunttameru didn't listen in physics class now did u?

[@JoseP-hj5zo]

You’ve convinced me on my next purchase

[@JaredBusch]

synthetic can for sure snap back, but has no where near the energy that steel cable does

[@jonathanchisholm3319]

Yea I was gonna say it depends

[@ExpeditionaryJeep]

This is exactly what I tell people. Comparing both a steel cable vs a synthetic cable with the same capacity is equal- but when a steel cable snaps, the steel cable has more force involved. Good job in sharing this video!

[@nwwheeler465]

Synthetic line do NOT always just just fall harmlessly. They do store less energy than cable for sure.

[@Ed-oq7ot]

Nice video and great point, I saw a video on KZbin of some Australian mates and they were breaking steel cables to see what the impact would be and it wasn’t good. Go synthetic

[@senditkevin]

Ronny Dahl? Great channel.

[@Mosko4x4]

Good footage. We use Synthetic for winch challenges here in Australia. It does whip back when wet or muddy, but definitely not at a life threatening pace.

[@janagan]

Great real world example, glad you got it on cam. Synthetic is the way to go it seems.

[@kadmow]

- just cary a splicing tool (and possibly a spare line - call it an extension rope)...

[@lyfandeth]

That gentle fail reflects, I think, the specifics of how short the line was, how little the load/speed was, and a couple more points, not just synthetic failures in all cases.😅

[@DB-yj3qc]

News flash, funny. I switched to synthetic lines back in the late 90s. Everyone in the Jeep club was saying it was unsafe. The best thing I did was that and ditch the hook. I replaced it with a "Hammer Lock" link, so I had to use shackles to connect. I do still have a winch or two running a cable, but for seldom used ones that are exposed to the sunlight.

[@JoshD4PREZ]

Brilliant idea then no worry of the hook becoming a projectile

[@Keithostrangeman]

Synthetic ropes doesn’t always just drop like that. They do store some energy and have a slight recoil when it breaks under extreme tension. No where near the amount of stored energy from a cable wire winch rope but no matter what system your using should always use a dampener over your winch rope so there’s no chances of any spring back that may cause a winch hook to come flying back.

[@stewartj3407]

I have and old t shirt in the jeep just for this reason.

[@Pixx4you]

Anyone who has been nearby when a steel cable let go will appreciate this characteristic of synthetic winch line.

[@LostPineWoods]

Great video. I have yet to see the sythetic line break, but it shows it worthyness in the eyes of safety.

[@LostPineWoods]

@toddcoon1730 hmmm little fucking rude. And quite frankly, i do. My winch line has yet to snap. I dont wheel with people i wheel alone, so i have yet to see one break. 🖕

[@TealOxAdv]

If you question how significant this is, watch a video of a steel cable breaking. I’ve seen it first hand (while on the job) and don’t ever want to experience it ever again. It will reach out and touch you. 😮

[@richardpack4]

Not to mention if you have a chain hooked too.

[@Gator-357]

This is a great example of what happens when you don't maintain your equipment

[@leerunez2424]

As a crane inspector, I definitely say synthetic rope is far more safer than steel cable. When steel cable breakers under tension it can be very catastrophic if not deadly.

[@nicholascheek7790]

I've seen a chain on a frame machine break twice in my life. one went completely thru a car door and the other put a hole in cinderblock wall. Shit is terrifying

[@jfanchier]

Worked at a shop that pulled semi truck frames. Much larger chain. Got to see one go through the roof one time. No idea where it landed.

[@mikeburnett160]

I've personally witnessed two different synthetic lines fail during recoveries. The first was an extension line that was connected to a Warn winch line with the Warn factory hook... it sent that hook flying about 70 feet in maybe 1/4 of a second. It slammed into the off road bumper on the winching vehicle, denting it severely - and then ricocheted another 25 feet straight sideways. The second occurrence was a winch line that failed at the crown of the metal thimble attached to a Factor 55 FlatLink. Fortunately nothing but the line itself went flying -- but it flew about 50 feet into the front of the winching vehicle so quickly that there was no time to react to it. All of that said, synthetic line 'is' significantly safer than traditional wire cable. But its not 'always' as innocuous as in this video. It can, and absolutely is, capable of causing serious injuries and must be respected.

[@MOB-Lee]

That's so cool!! Thanks for sharing

[@larrygoodsell9273]

Damn, that's nice. I'm convinced.

[@robertgarrawaychosen144k]

Snow runner game is kicking my ass 😂

[@bigjohn2048]

I am changing out to syn. for two reasons . The danger when wire breaks even with weighted bags but my biggest problem with wire is the constant un spooling on the drum. I get sick of having to unspool and respool a hundred feet of cable everytime I use the winch.

[@tenskeeze]

Yessss bro 💯

[@imchris5000]

dont free spool steel unless you plan to pull it all the way out always motor it out

[@nathanieljohnson4833]

Yes! Very safe. Plus, it doesn't cut your hands when winding your winch line.

[@scoo73r]

@hownot2 does break tests of climbing and other adventure gear. He's has spent a lot of time testing the material used to make synthetic ropes and is a great source of knowledge

[@BIGGELATO]

Missed opportunity to have an affiliate link dude or even your own rope/cable, would’ve sold out!

[@stevesmith3556]

Synthetic IS much safer. They still hold an enormous amount of energy. That one didn't due to age lack of elasticity. Watch vids with new line.

[@jonathanchisholm3319]

That's what I was thinking too

[@justinmoore4088]

Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@justinmoore4088]

Wow...just wow...no question going synthetic when the time comes.

[@twva126]

Thanks for the video. I’ll never use steel cable,I’ve seen it go horribly bad one time and it’s not worth the risk.

[@livingworkingoutsidebox]

Thanks for sharing what a difference between steel and synthetic 👍🤙

[@Ctvracingg]

I like standing right next to my cable line. Just gives me a good rush.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Ummm, thanks for sharing that.

[@peterdawes1868]

I must say, I was not so sure the synthetic rope was a good thing when I first swapped out the old steel wire cable. Because I have a 1994 HZJ 75 series Toyota Landcrusier "Troop carrier" that weighs about three tons fully loaded. After a few winch recoveries I was no longer worried about the rope handling the weight.

[@normangilden3453]

Great information

[@berserkerusmc7613]

Wow. I had no idea that synthetic line did that when they break. This video totally changed my mind about them.

[@keithcerce8445]

Yup, seen many fail. Never seen a wire cable fail, only ball hitches

[@andytieu604]

That is AWESOME!

[@Outdoorsnmotors]

Yup, I broke my synthetic winch rope, and that’s what happened, cable is too dangerous

[@jakesnake6007]

Wow that’s Awesome man, thanks. So much safer. I’m replacing my cable asap.

[@RamiroLundy]

Correct! HMPE ropes are much safer.

[@OntarioFreshwaterFishing]

They work good in dry environments, but are incredibly high maintenance up north, steel is still the go to where I’m from for good reason. Stay out of the triangle, get behind something solid. Don’t be dumb

[@snowyowlz5992]

Could you explain more in depth as to how steel cable is better than the synthetic rope in the colder climates? Just got my first jeep with winch and am planning on using my 65 CJ-5 as a hunting rig.

[@JsGarage]

They definitely don't always break like that but yeah much more safe than steel cable all day.

[@Original_SJB]

Thanks for video love to.learn about synthetic rope

[@myiqisoffthechartsstupid6465]

Great for your jeeps & recreational stuff Worthless in a heavy commercial & industrial use,

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Good thing we have Jeeps.

[@kick1574]

It’s nice to finally see one break, but that trail didn’t look that bad should’ve made it up. No problem I can in my 85 blazer

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

😂😂 do you even know what trail this is? You can only see the front third of my Jeep. You can’t see the rear hanging off an undercut ledge.

[@byronlabelle7569]

Excellent information thank you for sharing.

[@repr26]

Fiber core steel winch also just drops when it breaks. But steel has a higher load rating, longer life and better abrasion resistance.

[@RamiroLundy]

Some HMPE ropes have higher ratings than Wire Rope. Depends on the type of hmpe.

[@lesismorepowell5270]

That’s so nice and much safer omg !!!

[@45acpbbb]

You just convinced to never us rope. I'll still use cable. Thx

[@christianfilloux]

Love this

[@inverted311]

Yeah if it has that dual battery setup that will fail next.... Leaves you stranded. So, bring some batteries with you as well. Worked service at a Dodge dealership and saw it almost daily. Give me a 20 year old H2 any day.

[@Upstatenyoutdooradventures]

Awesome to see

[@jimbobkirkwood828]

Idk what was wrong with mine bro, but it definitely whiped when it broke😅

[@thedroopywanderer7016]

broke a u joint! in a JEEP!!! NOW WAYYYY!!! never thought they had enough power to do that 😂

[@venture.explore.discover]

Soooo much safer than steel cable….. wait, what?!? Sully needed to be winched?!?

[@zaldaim7043]

Awesome.

[@scroogehowsshehandle]

Dam farts have more kinetic energy than that rope

[@raginroadrunner]

The oilfield winch trucks are the kings of winch work. You NEVER see synthetic rope used. Its all steel wire ....and for good reason.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Good thing I’m not in an oil field. 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@raginroadrunner]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures you'll learn the hard way junior.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

@@raginroadrunner junior? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 whatever dude.

[@paranormalwheelers]

Ya i had one faile on me on bald mountain in California

[@velocity800]

steel cable is still the ideal thing to use in winching

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

disagree

[@mikhail2400]

Damn that line was ALOT smaller than the syn. line I use. Its hard to tell but it looked no thicker than a pencil

[@Nmatenum420]

My grill from my 5 tie down straps I used to pull a stuck van slammed my custom royalty core grill I just installed

[@timking2194]

It doesn’t always just drop like that be careful

[@tdub7998]

Safer when they break but they also break more often when used in an abrasion scenario like this.

[@OhAncientOne]

This looks like the place where they get all the fake Mars footage 🤔

[@briangalloway3684]

When using a snatch block stay out of the 📐 of ☠️... even a synthetic line will take you out. It's not the lines fault usually a snatch block failure and the line just wants to be straight.

[@mikeondabike420]

It may have dropped but steel wouldn't have failed from lack of spooning,and washing,and lack of sun block lol

[@Dive-Bar-Casanova]

I use Electrical Transmission Linemans synthetic line Brutally stronger than any the winch companies offer.

[@bikeislife8405]

Mule tape!!

[@grantdavis5992]

​@@bikeislife8405mule tape that I have is just 2500 lbs break strength. I have seen wider with 3500 lb break strength. It is polyester. This synthetic winch line is Dyneema or its generic equivalent.

[@2200Z]

Where I'll be going in a few weeks.

[@thumperbangin2000]

Good !!

[@Christopher-vf6kx]

Oh the humanity! 😱

[@marty0715yt]

And you can repair in the field

[@richardshoat8711]

Yes very safe

[@PurpleNovember]

.5:1 safety factor is fine.

[@tinkerne-round4079]

I've seen that synthetic melt to itself. it seems like a one time use item.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

😂😂 yea sure. If that happened then someone was seriously overheating their winch.

[@RamiroLundy]

If synthetic is not spooled on winches under some pressure, they can appear to be melted together. Especially if the die is applied heavily. The flat spots on the drum can be kneeded and commonly goes back to normal.

[@frankarchuleta5427]

A good chain wouldn’t have Brocken under such a light light load.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

That load wasn’t light. My Jeep was caught on the control arm and wasn’t budging. The load was strong enough to break the winch line. 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@imchris5000]

dont get too comfortable around synthetic line depending on how the break happens it can still whip steel cable can also fail just like this video in the right conditions it does not mean it wont whip. everything thing about this is very dangerous so dont get comfortable these ropes are still new in the recovery world give it time and people will get killed. the same rope materials are used in the maritime industry and they have killed many sailors when they let go.

[@rockie307]

Another question to ask is what happens when your synthetic cable breaks when your in steep rocks and your ride rolls over down the mountain? Ive got both and will probably never buy synthetic again. Gets damaged to easy the sun, a tree, rocks, debris, sand. If you break a steel cable you did something really stupid. Ill take my chances with steel since i work in industrial plants ive got to use both synthetic is much easier to work with and handle but much easier to get damaged and kill you when whatever your lifting or winching falls. Theres a reason cranes use steel cable and never synthetic.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

You do you.

[@robboat6269]

And when it does break tie a knot and keep going. Great stuff.

[@georgenicholai6089]

Buy a Freedom winch line. They’re great.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

I run the Groove Fairlead.

[@chrismc.893]

So why do they always suggest using a dampener?

[@OnefastAZfarmtruck]

But what do you do when you still need to get out. At least with a steel cable and a couple clamps you can still get our

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

You just resplice the line. It’s super easy.

[@erikduerbeck4526]

Safe but it's not a winch line...I have a Warn 9000! Looks more like a weed Wacker line, just have bundles of it!

[@SETTAPERFORMANCE]

Looking for a synthetic for my badlands 2500 for the Atv .. anyone have any recommendations …

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

yankum.com

[@dancearoundtheworld5360]

id overkill with the winch like to have that underworked line

[@stevekight1955]

Another Jeep breaking a part.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

You sound like a Toyota driver on the bunny slopes. 😂

[@Maxwellwayne]

It's another Fiat

[@pizzasteakphocheeseburgeri2965]

still a good idea to place a towel in mid line because safety

[@mikenelson7130]

See them break all the time. Know what I haven’t seen break, steel cable

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

That's false. Steel breaks too and causes massive damage when it does.

[@vagabondmatt5152]

Do people still want steel lines?

[@SomeOne-ce1gf]

What strength line and winch

[@sixpest]

Sure but A steel cable will never break compared to the trivial weight of a Wrangler The only down side to steel is that it stabs your hand

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Steel absolutely will fail.

[@mendonesiac]

How long does synthetic last? I still use wire rope that was old when Chrysler owned Jeep

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Just depends on how often you use it and in what environments. Mine had been used and abused a lot.

[@socaljarhead7670]

I’ll continue using Swedish chains and just stay out of the way.

[@nocogarden]

Oh they will slingshot just fine. But you barely had any off the spool.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

How do you know how much was off the spool?

[@joshualarsen2285]

Safe, yet disappointing...

[@Tactical_Assault_Pelican]

Is synthetic the best option all around? Considering using synthetic is there any downsides to it, higher cost/length, less versatile?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

main downside with synthetic is additional maintenance but it's totally worth it. I'll never go back to steel cable.

[@jeffjackson1897]

Not much ?

[@thesolojourney8955]

Did the synthetic rope last a long time and heavy use before it snapped?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

It had a lot of usage over a year and a half.

[@kevinsenesac3187]

A lot of you tubers use freedom winch line

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

By a lot you mean Bleepin Jeep? LOL It's a cool idea.

[@kevinsenesac3187]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures Matt's Off Road recovery, Fab Rat's also

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

@@kevinsenesac3187 But you said "a lot"

[@kevinsenesac3187]

There is more I can't name them all most of the ones I follow in Utah use them

[@RamiroLundy]

Sponsorship and product placement!

[@kevinkovalesky380]

What about if you shock load it?

[@RamiroLundy]

Shock loading is never good. If it was to break in a shock load, it would most likely have some backlash.

[@300ddsrt3]

Pritchett canyon?