Winch hook or thimble?

[shazz]

Which do you use?

Pros / cons?

The cable on my needs replacing and the tackle is pretty buggered too so figure I'll do the lot at swap over. Which to go for?

[AusTac]

Got a hook, and had a hook for a few years now, mines a big as hook with a closure spring gate bit, done me good, if i'm ever desperate a hook is way easier to improvise with, towies and the like still use hooks so they can't be all bad

[Norton]

Strength wise hooks are fine, and they're quick to put on which is why people like them.

Potential downside is the hook coming off during a bit of bumping around if the closure spring fails or is broken. Plenty of hooks come with s**ty closure springs, just make sure to get a good one.

Thimble and a shackle is arguably a bit safer being a closed system where nothing can come apart.

[Bent Arrow]

Thimble and a shackle is arguably a bit safer being a closed system where nothing can come apart.

Only if they are done up or prevented from rattling loose. I have a collection of shackles that I have picked up off dirt tracks

[Lorgar]

Hmm, I was going to make a suggestion then I saw the price of the thing

Anyway, here it is.... Ultrahook by Factor 55.

Works as a regular hook with safety latch and has a shackle mount hole so best of both worlds.

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UltraHook-with-shackle.jpg (56.53 KiB) Viewed 3442 times

UltraHook-with-shackle-2_grande.jpg (37.75 KiB) Viewed 3442 times

I hadn't looked at the price until now though... $350

[Norton]

Thimble and a shackle is arguably a bit safer being a closed system where nothing can come apart.

Only if they are done up or prevented from rattling loose. I have a collection of shackles that I have picked up off dirt tracks

I mean safer on the context of winching.

Not sure what you mean by "only if they are done up"... of course it would be done up, you can't you use or attach it to anything otherwise

Rattling loose while driving is something to address though, you're right. Need a cable tie or bit of wire to solve that.

[Harper]

I hadn't looked at the price until now though... $350

What's a normal hook or thimble cost by comparison?

That seems like a lot.....

[AusC]

About $40 for a hook.

$100 for a thimble and $15 for a bow shackle to go with it.