Field repair:

Unless you have no other choice, tying a knot in a winchline is never a good idea—it reduces the strength by around 50 percent. A $40 splice-rope repair kit can be purchased, and a splice can be filled in 5 to 10 minutes. This will return the line’s structural integrity to full capacity. But you have to understand why it was cut so it does not happen again. Winches are not strong enough to break these lines unless a mismatched line has been installed, like a 12,000-pound Jeep line on a 25,000-pound Unimog winch. Most winchline breaks occur at the bumper behind the fairlead, where the line is abraded and damaged so that it snaps on the next pull.

Heat:

There is no issue with heat unless you power out using certain winches, mostly with an internal brake. Simply refrain from powering out the line, and there is no issue. If you need to power out, do it by the book—a few seconds at a time—and keep checking the drum. If you can touch it with your bare hands, the winchline is good.

Other features of synthetic:

It will not lose any appreciable structural integrity under UV light—even when left in the desert for years. The truck will wear out before this is an issue for the lines.

Viking Splice Kit Includes:

• 5⁄16-inch and 3⁄8-inch Splicing Fids (7.9mm and 9.5mm) with Optional Sizes, CNC machined
• Instructions
• Heavy-duty Scissors
• Lock Stitch Needle
• Electrical Tape
• Nylon Lock Stitch Thread
• Marker
• Practice Rope
• Kit Bag