Dyneema

[Ian M]

I need to replace the winch on my trailer, a Fulton T3205. So in combination with this I thought that I would go the whole way and upgrade to Dyneema winch cable. However, looking at the ratings even 6mm line has a far greater breaking strain than I need.
Intuitively this seems very thin to me, has anyone any experience of handling this line, particularly as a winch line? Any issues in long term use?

[Rokraider]

We are using Dyneema based ropes on vehicle winches. A 10mm line will work on a 10,000lb winch quite happily with a good reserve. It is strong stuff!

[bedajim]

Originally Posted by Ian M

I need to replace the winch on my trailer, a Fulton T3205. So in combination with this I thought that I would go the whole way and upgrade to Dyneema winch cable. However, looking at the ratings even 6mm line has a far greater breaking strain than I need.
Intuitively this seems very thin to me, has anyone any experience of handling this line, particularly as a winch line? Any issues in long term use?

I have the 9 or 10 mm on my set up and it works fine + looks right

Jim

[Searider]

Any problems with UV exposure - or are they sheathed?

[bedajim]

Originally Posted by Searider

Any problems with UV exposure - or are they sheathed?

6 years old and looks fine but faded, I have got a new rope to fit but not got around to it yet

[butty]

I worked at a yacht riggers and and now back doing the same thing now.

dyneema is stable in UV light and will not get effected by it, mm for mm dyneema is stronger than wire, so if you have 6mm wire on there previously you will be fine using 6mm dyneema.

It might be a good idea to cover the first few meters where it sits on the winch drum just to act as a chaf guard against any metal, rust etc on the winch drum.

If you need any extra advise please feel free to ask....

[Pikey Dave]

I replaced my strap with 12mm dyneema, way way ott, but I had the same thoughts as you wrg the thin stuff biting & binding into itself. It does seem to get chafed & a bit ratty where it rubs against the side of the winch drum. I've had straps fail on me before & wouldn't go back.

[BogMonster]

I have had dyneema on my previous and current trailers, also would never consider using a stupid poly strap again. I have 6mm Dyneema from Goodwinch, after using it for a few years on the winch on my Land Rover (10mm rope on a 10,500lb hydraulic winch) and being totally converted, would not go back to wire rope either. The rope 'fluffs' a bit on the surface with lots of rubbing wear, but the only real danger to it is loading it where it runs over a very sharp edge, which is unlikely in a boat winch situation. Use on a boat trailer winch is the same as a vehicle winch, you need to make sure the bottom layers on the drum are tight or it will pull down through and potentially be hard to get off, but in a boat loading situation you will almost always winch on from a near empty drum under the max load anyway - I have never had a problem with mine. Brilliant stuff.