Winch strap or whole winch?

[RussGW270]

So, just dawned on me.. my winch strap broke, but the winch works fine.

I can just get a new strap and be off to the races, right?

Anyone here use something besides a strap, i.e. steel cable?

Just curious. I was looking at a nice 4000lb strap.

R

 

[Ky Grady]

Strap,,,somewhere down the line the cable will start fraying and eat you up anytime you get close to it.

 

[Halfhitch]

How wide is the spool on your winch? Is it a two speed?

 

[CJ7Rob]

For that big a boat, you need a cable.

 

[glacierbaze]

10K lb strap and hook. 25 feet. $29.99

https://www.amazon.com/Rod-Saver-Heavy-Replacement-Yellow/dp/B001NIAH9W/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3PRMFF1NXM22Y&keywords=trailer+winch+strap+with+hook&m=A2L77EE7U53NWQ&qid=1567729468&s=warehouse-deals&sprefix=trailer+winch+,warehouse-deals,178&sr=8-7

 

[DennisG01]

If your winch is fine, just replace the strap. I'd stick with the strap, as well - for the same reason KY mentioned. Those cables have a way of biting you when you least expect it. I used that same strap that Glacier linked to on my Sea Ray cruiser - MORE than strong enough.

FYI... straps break primarily because of UV damage. The first foot or so of the strap is constantly being hit by the sun's rays. Russ, I'd be willing to bet that area where the break happened is lighter in color than the rest and also kinda fuzzy looking? In the future, replace it pre-emptively. It wouldn't be a bad idea to spray the strap with 303 and even make a canvas cover for the winch.

 

[RussGW270]

I ordered a 5000lb working weight strap. There are two different issues, working load and breaking load. If it does not list which is which, then I have to assume it is breaking load and as a strap approaches 10k breaking, it does not mean the working load increased....it is sorta a sneaky way of them to list it.

I saw that 10k one, almost got it, but worried it was misleading....so went with the one that said the working load is 5k

R

 

[Ky Grady]

Something I do if I'm not on the road and the boat is just sitting in storage or I'm working on it at home, I'll loosen the strap and relieve the tension on it and the bow eye. No reason to keep it loaded during idle time.

 

[RussGW270]

I also like to leave the TV on for my boat so it does not get lonely....(lol)..

Just kidding, I do the same thing Tightening down is for towing, not storage, agreed.

R

 

[Ky Grady]

I leave radio on for mine.

 

[DennisG01]

You're right on the WLL vs Max/breaking strength. Honestly, I didn't look at that link close enough - just saw that it was yellow. I do know that the one I bought was made by Fulton as is referred to as a 10K strap - but pretty much all manufacturer's refer to their products using the breaking strength number. Which means the WLL is likely somewhere around half that. But then the typical, grey strap, is half of that, still. The yellow one is physically twice as thick.

 

[Fishtales]

watch the straps, they can weaken over time. Might be good to have a spare if needed.

 

[RussGW270]

I am hoping to swap the trailer out next year, we will see. I know this one has a lot of life left, once I fix it back up, but it would serve a lighter boat better imo. It may work fine with this one, but I think I would like one that was more than fine.

Problem becomes, cannot sell it broken, no-one takes trade ins, and trying to split it off from a loan that includes it is near impossible so... will have to figure out what options I have when I get the time and a few thousand to do it. That will not be for a bit heh.. but, maybe next year.

May be a question of buying a new trailer and leaving this one in the back yard or selling it without a title or.. who the heck knows. Just stuck with it since it is part of the loan. Eh... will probably pay cash for the new one, and add a couple thousand and they should refinance the rest as it has a hell of a lot more equity in it now that it has the top.

R