Wheelhouse winch cables

[harvey lee]

I was thinking that instead of using the cable system on the winch's for the tires, has anyone ever used a winch with a strap like used on a boat winch?

Wondering if they would last longer and if they could take the salt and grime from the road.

I grease my cables but I have only had this house this past winter and trying to think of a few things I could possibly upgrade over the summer month's.

[Hawg]

I've contemplated that too but always given up. First it would take a roller change, not a big deal but not fun. Biggest thing is if that strap ever hit any kind of a rough or sharp edge I'm afraid it would tear instantly. When under pressure that stuff slices thru when nicked. Anybody else had it work well for them?

[fishwater]

I've got an older 5 Star Fish House that uses braided nylon winch straps for raising and lowering. The winch is completely removable and doesn't use pulleys. The winch slides on and off Y-lever arms coming off the wheel support, pulling in a straight shot to an eye bolt on the back corner of the frame.

[BartmanMN]

I don't have the link, but about 4-5 years ago one of the fish house build threads featured a build with straps rather than cables. He also contructed the winches so they were removable, so when he traveled to and from the lake he could remove them (No road salt). I thought it was a superb idea.

Found the build thread. http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2140426/2

BigBuckBuster's build 2010

[Dozer]

My father tried straps on his, didnt work but I dont remember why. He now has Kevlar atv winch cable, works great!

[aanderud]

The synthetic winch lines look awesome. Amsteel blue, masterpull, lots of options out there. Look to be reasonably priced too, if you ask me. A few bucks a foot but what do you need, 20 feet total, if that?

[harvey lee]

I have not measured Brian but I would think 7-8ft on each side would be more than enough.

I checked out the Amsteel blue and it is stronger, won't rust and could be exactly what I am looking for.

Have to believe this could be the cable that would replace my steel cables that I have to grease or they rust.

[Mike Stark]

I will also be looking at replacing my cables. What diameter are you looking at Harvey?

[IcePro]

One of the first Wheeled Fish House manufactures (Franks RV) used the web strap instead of a cable.

My fish house is over 10+ years old from Frank's RV and I have only had to replace the straps once.

[Capt. H (Ret.)]

We have the straps on our home-made wheel house for several years and they work great!!! We also used the type of winches that have a brake built in so they don't snap back and whack your wrist.

[RiverChuckNorris]

harvey -

Any reason you don't just replace the factory cables with stainless? I replaced my IC (steel) cables last year with stainless, seems to do the trick.

[Hawg]

Anyone else try Kevlar? I've been told stainless doesn't last any longer than regular steel. Anybody done it themselves? The whole truth never comes out when it's-"I know a guy".

[centralmnguy]

I have winch straps vs the cables on mine & haven't had any issues & have had my house for 10 years now. All I have to do is pull a pin & start cranking on the winches. The only problem I have had is one of my brackets for the wheel hub doesn't line up with the pull pin so I have to really torque on it to get it to go in. Also helps to spray some WD-40 on he winches & pins/springs so they don't rust & ice up.

I also have the brakes in the winches as Capt. mentioned so they don't snap back & hit your wrist (have done it a few times) lol

[Redlineracer12]

The Yetti comes with only 1.5" wide openings that the cable goes through. That's the main reason I haven't tried straps, most of them that are readily available are 2" wide. I would love to convert it so the winches could come off while in transit.

[tip-up king]

I used straps on mine. This is only year one, but they have been wet, frozen and salty and seem to work great.

[harvey lee]

harvey -

Any reason you don't just replace the factory cables with stainless? I replaced my IC (steel) cables last year with stainless, seems to do the trick.

I have not had one problem to date. I purchased this house this winter and the cable's look fine and there were greased by the original owner and myself also.

Just looking for something that may not need any maintaince and still be as good or better than the cable.

Nothing against the cable, just thought there may be a better option.