I looked through some old threads but could not find what I was looking for. When you are putting ends on your lengths of rope would you use a standard metal thimble or a soft shackle? I am in the process of putting together a kit for my side by side/truck and am going to include 2 50' lengths of rope with ends on them.

What are you planning on using the shots of line for? A side-by-side can't be very heavy, so you probably don't need a metal buffer. A simple braided loop should be fine, unless you are worried about chaffing.

My SxS weights 1600lb dry. I have front and rear 5000 lb. winches with with 7800 lb. ropes on them. My plan is to have the extra ropes so I can get to a anchor point if I'm alone. Also the extra lengths would make easier to rig a block and tackle if needed. The rope I'm looking at is a 3/8 Amsteel it has a 17600 lb plus strength and would be enough to help pull my truck if needed.

I use the 1/2" Amsteel for safety rigging. Good stuff. Takes various knots well, too.

easy to slice eye, like a chinese finger trap. i have seen the blue steel part and the splice hold once but that was trawling

if you are putting an eye on the end of it by just burying and are worried about it at all, you take the opposite end of the rope and pass the entire 50ft length though first, then continue on as standard with the eye end.This is very easily done yourself and you don't need any materials, a basic fid makes it easier. Will produce an eye at or at least very near the strength of the line. Have worked under many winches on seiners and pot boats and always have full confidence in the eye, as normal you keep a close eye on chafing rest of line.

Thanks for the info guys. Soft shackles it will be.