Cool! You bought a winch line or winch line extension and want to learn more. Here's more!
- MADE IN THE USA, SPLICED BY HAND @ C4RS
Berry & TAA Compliant - Stronger, lighter, quieter, safer, more adaptable, multi-use, floats & quicker to operate than steel cable.
- Low stretch @ 3% for safer, more controlled static winching.
- Less than 85% the weight of steel cable & appx 20-30% stronger.
- Safer by design with less recoil, less mass & won’t kink as steel cable.
- UV stabilized & abrasion resistant & can be field repaired.
ABOUT YOUR WINCH LINE
Please reference your tag to learn about your winch line diameter and use the below chart to learn about the strength of your winch line.
Diameter |
Strength lbs* |
3/16" |
5,400 |
1/4" |
8,600 |
5/16" |
13,700 |
3/8" |
19,600 |
7/16" |
23,900 |
1/2" |
34,000 |
CUSTOM 4WD RECOVERY SYSTEMS (C4RS) DISCLAIMS ANY & ALL LIABILITY & RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY INJURY, DAMAGE, OR LOSS TO PERSON OR PROPERTY THAT MAY OCCUR WHEN USING A RECOVERY PRODUCT SOLD BY C4RS. VEHICLE RECOVERY INVOLVES EXTREME LOADS & CAN RESULT IN INJURY & DEATH. SEEK PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION IN THE PROPER USE OF RECOVERY GEAR. NOT FOR LIFTING OR LIFE SAVING OPERATIONS.
Winch Line & Extension Basic Info
Each C4RS synthetic winch line or extension (WL/E) is hand spliced in the US at C4RS of US made base line. Our WL/Es are constructed of Dyneema® UHMPE (ultra high modulus polyethylene) with a proprietary Samthane coating for UV, abrasion & tension fatigue resistance. The base WL/E material is easy to handle, UV stable, will remain flexible throughout its service life & can be field repaired if a break does occur. Each WL/E comes with a movable tubular abrasion guard to limit wear & winch lines come with a drum wrap to protect the line against the winch drum.
C4RS WL/Es have a max stretch at break of 3%. You should choose a winch line or extension that is approximately 1.5 times and preferably 2x as strong as your winch capacity. If a WL/E is chosen that is too small then you risk the chance of breaking the WL/E. If you choose a WL/E that is too strong you will quickly use up drum space and end up with a short WL/E. Contact C4RS for assistance.
C4RS WL/Es have a max stretch at break of 3%. You should choose a winch line or extension that is approximately 1.5 times and preferably 2x as strong as your winch capacity. If a WL/E is chosen that is too small then you risk the chance of breaking the WL/E. If you choose a WL/E that is too strong you will quickly use up drum space and end up with a short WL/E. Contact C4RS for assistance.
Standard WL/E Use
A WL/E is a great tool, but like any tool it can be dangerous. We suggest professional instruction on the proper use of a WL/E. In the mean time while you seek professional instruction a few tips & pointers are listed below.
- WL/Es should not be shock loaded.
- Do not place against sharp or angular objects.
- Understand & do not exceed the weight limits of your WL/E.
- Ensure a WL/E is always securely attached .
- ALWAYS USE A PROPER LINE DAMPER.
Attaching a C4RS Winch Line to a Winch Drum
Various winches use different methods to attach a winch line. The most common method employed by winch manufacturers is a small bolt through an attachment point at the tail end of the winch line. Simply tighten the bolt and begin spooling your line onto your winch while under tension. Tension spec is 5% of your line’s average break strength. Many will attaching their winch line to an anchor (tree, vehicle, etc) and winch in while placing the winch under load (uphill or use of service brake).
Lost your bolt? Simply cut off the spade connector at the tail of the winch line (but don’t cut off the whip, it keeps the line from unraveling), then use Gorilla Duct Tape to attach the line to the drum. Have a Warn Zeon winch? Just let us know and we can splice a small eye on the tail end for an extra charge. In doubt? Use the Gorilla Tape – its what I use.
Lost your bolt? Simply cut off the spade connector at the tail of the winch line (but don’t cut off the whip, it keeps the line from unraveling), then use Gorilla Duct Tape to attach the line to the drum. Have a Warn Zeon winch? Just let us know and we can splice a small eye on the tail end for an extra charge. In doubt? Use the Gorilla Tape – its what I use.
When to Replace a WL/E
Discard the WL/E if it becomes contaminated with a chemical, overly frayed, knotted, a strand breaks, the splice is compromised or anything occurs which could significantly weaken the strength of the WL/E. When in doubt discontinue use of this or any vehicle recovery device & contact C4RS.
WL/E Line Care
Dirt can cause premature wear to the WL/E. If your WL/E becomes overly soiled lay it out on a hard surface such as wood or smooth concrete or asphalt. Then with a regular garden hose nozzle spray the bulk of the contaminants off. Then place your line in a 5 gallon bucket full of water and proceed to hand wash it by agitating the WL/E. You can also pinch the line between your two hands about 2-3” apart and push your pinched fingers together, thereby opening the 12 strand weave, then slosh in the water to dislodge internal contaminants (dirt). Hang over a fence or similar to dry. Do NOT use a pressure washer. Do NOT clean with chemicals. If you want to let your WL/E soak to help with cleaning simply let it soak in the 5 gallon bucket a few times post agitation, then replace the water and repeat the process.
CUSTOM 4WD RECOVERY SYSTEMS (C4RS) DISCLAIMS ANY & ALL LIABILITY & RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY INJURY, DAMAGE, OR LOSS TO PERSON OR PROPERTY THAT MAY OCCUR WHEN USING A RECOVERY PRODUCT SOLD BY C4RS. VEHICLE RECOVERY INVOLVES EXTREME LOADS & CAN RESULT IN INJURY & DEATH. SEEK PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION IN THE PROPER USE OF RECOVERY GEAR.
Hawse vs Roller Fairlead
Which should you use? Either will work when properly deployed. Ensure rollers are free of any burs or rough spots (= totally smooth), the rollers roll freely, and the rollers overlap in the corners so the winch line is not pinched. For a hawse, well, just use it if its smooth & has no sharp edges that could come into contact with the WL/E.
LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
This product carries a limited lifetime warranty for the original purchaser against C4RS manufacturing defects under normal & proper use & service & is guaranteed to be 100% free of manufacturing defects upon receipt. Breaks and other WL/E failures are typically caused by user error. However, if you do break or cut a C4RS WL/E & believe the product was compromised due to a manufacturing defect please contact your C4RS approved dealer, with your receipt, to start a warranty claim & preserve the WL/E exactly as it was when failure occurred (don’t play with the break).
Any potential warranty item must be shipped to C4RS for inspection at customer expense. Recovery items are consumables, will wear out & should be regularly inspected & replaced as necessary. Normal wear & tear is not covered & a broken item will not be covered if C4RS manufacturing did not lead to failure. C4RS will inspect the item to determine fault & then if appropriate repair, replace or give store credit for the warrantied item at C4RS’ sole discretion.
If your line breaks due to user error in the first three years of ownership contact your approved C4RS dealer, then ship it back to C4RS after our reply & we will repair the break (if possible) for free labor. The customer is responsible for paying return postage & covering any compromised parts that require replacement.
Any potential warranty item must be shipped to C4RS for inspection at customer expense. Recovery items are consumables, will wear out & should be regularly inspected & replaced as necessary. Normal wear & tear is not covered & a broken item will not be covered if C4RS manufacturing did not lead to failure. C4RS will inspect the item to determine fault & then if appropriate repair, replace or give store credit for the warrantied item at C4RS’ sole discretion.
If your line breaks due to user error in the first three years of ownership contact your approved C4RS dealer, then ship it back to C4RS after our reply & we will repair the break (if possible) for free labor. The customer is responsible for paying return postage & covering any compromised parts that require replacement.
DISCLAIMER
C4RS recommends professional installation for all products we sell & disclaims any & all liability & responsibility for any injury, damage, or loss to person or property that may occur when using any product sold by C4RS. Vehicle recovery involves extreme loads & can result in injury & death. Seek professional instruction in the proper installation & use of recovery gear. Not for lifting & life saving operations. All products are sold for off road use only.
Regularly inspect your recovery equipment
Regularly inspect your recovery equipment