Winch line lenght?

[Ditchrat]

How much line are you guys typically running on your spools. I recently made up a servo winch, and with the spool I made I can run about 20 feet of 65lb Kevlar line.

The only problem is that, like any other spool the line always wants to run to the high point. If I use 5 foot or so it isn't an issue. But the kid wants to put out all the line, and then I have to monitor its retrieval.

Figure there is really no point in having a ton of line that will never get use.

[CODYBOY]

I think I would split the difference, 10-12 feet, and you can always leave a foot or so out and attach it to the rear of your truck some place.

[SteveC6R]

I usually use 5-7 foot of 250lb winch line on my RC4WD and servo winches.

[War Pig]

I put as much 200 lb line as I can on, usually 15-20 ft. You typically only use the first 4-5 feet of it, but it's nice to have extra if you need it. Plus as it becomes worn and frayed you can just snip a foot or two off and have fresh line.

[btoungette]

I spool on as much as I can, too. Better to have it and not need it. It can come in handy when you are a long ways from a winch point.

It's best to monitor the spooling-in anyway to keep from jumping the line off the spool.

[joshpit2003]

If it's on a scaler, then I think it would be cool to scale-down a real-world winch-line length.

100' seems to be a common length for 1:1 scale, so 10' seems perfect for a 1:10 scale.

-Josh!

[TacoCrawler]

^ 10' = X2

but basically it's what length can be fitted on
the particular spool utilized.
The lesser amount of line... the stronger it pulls.
The thicker Diam. the line... the shorter it will likely need be.

realize...
that most 1:1 winches will also spool the line
up without spreading it evenly across the spool.

So when winching 1:1 on full length pulls...
occasionally the vehicle being winched needs be secured in position
while the winch line is re-spooled more evenly.

If ya need more then 10'

make up an extension rope as I have for my 1:1

I run 125' on my M8... carry a spare line for an additional 100'
but it's 5/16" synth. so 125' fits easily on my M8's spool.
For most 3/8" line or cable... 100' may be all that can be fitted.

^ if yer more then 225' down...
ya better call a recovery company !? Lol

Also realize that the winch runs stronger
with fewer wraps remaining on the spool.
tho' ya should always leave at least 3 line wraps
remaining on the spool so it can't be pulled free.

Note:

1:1 winching is dangerous business.
While RC winching generally isn't.

But you could still lose an eye, maybe ?! Lol