Trailer winch?

td2pts · 05-05-2008, 07:46 PM

I have a problem with the strap on my trailer winch. The edge of the housing for the strap rubs as it winds onto the winch - resulting in a frayed strap. My question is why would I not use a cable rather than a nylon strap? Any thoughts?

thanks

Smj · 05-06-2008, 06:12 AM

I've never had a cable, but I'm sure a strap is far better than cable. One broken strand of cable jambed in your finger would certainly convice you that a strap is better.

Try loosening the bolts that hold the winch stand and align the stand so the strap doesn't rub the side of the pully. You might even need to get a crowbar and gently twist the winch stand abit to get it aligned properly.

Smj

KChookem · 05-06-2008, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by td2pts

I have a problem with the strap on my trailer winch. The edge of the housing for the strap rubs as it winds onto the winch - resulting in a frayed strap. My question is why would I not use a cable rather than a nylon strap? Any thoughts?

thanks

I've used both, I would stay with the strap for the typical winching of a few feet to the bow stop. I like "SMJ's" suggestions for fine-tuning your winch alignment. A tiny bit of fraying should not be a problem with an typical sportfishing boat, and the prolonged effect of sunlight probably weakens it more. Or, straps are inexpensive and easy to replace.

You may be able to cut off the 3-4 feet of frayed strap and then reattach the hook. A heavy duty canvas or leather needle and thread make this easy to do by hand - just replicate the way the old hook was sewn.

Metal cables are nice with a power winch or when you are winding up 20-feet of cable under tension. My experience is that cables do not always fill the spool evenly, meaning you have to physically direct the cable to one side or the other. They can get a kink or three, and they also fray, and then you have little metal spikes to pierce your hand.

My old cable winches attached the cable to the spool differently than my strap connect to their spool. You may have to improvise an attachment, or purchase a new spool or entire winch.