How to Make a Simple Tyre Swing

Growing up in New Zealand, as a child my favourite backyard activity was a simple tyre rope swing. We had this huge tree in our back garden in which the tyre swing still hangs there until this day.

These swings were found in many variations, styles and also locations. I adored all of them and have decided to make one in my back garden for my children to enjoy and comply with this article “How to Make a Simple Tyre Swing”.

Tyre swings are fairly easy to make, you just need a few requirements. A 13”-16” tyre, rope (depending on tree size) and a large robust tree, although you’re able to make other types of tyre swings, are the necessities for your “classic” type of tyre swing.

 How to make a simple tyre swing that will last?

You should be able to grasp that making a tyre swing isn’t really that hard and just requires a few items.

However, I’m aware most individuals don’t have access to a tree in their back garden to make a tyre swing. In this article, we’ll be discussing how to make a simple tyre swing and the different swings you’re able to make depending on your location and personal desires.

There are a ton of variations a swing could be a great addition to an outdoor playset defiantly worth the effort visit this write-up to find out why. But, without further or due, let’s get into the swing of things.

Different Types of Tyre Swings.

Before diving into the creation of a tyre swing, let’s discuss the different styles and variations you’re able to achieve. This should give you a broader perspective of what you’re able to accomplish from such a simple project.

The Classic Rope Tyre Swing – The classic, rope tyre swing has to be the oldest one in the book and has been used for years all over the world. It simply consists of some heavy-duty rope, a tyre and of course a hanging location which is normally a tree.

Heavy-Duty Chain Tyre Swing – This next tyre swing isn’t as common as you’d expect. However, it’s normally found in play parks rather than rivers or a back garden. This swing type is simply a more heavy-duty version of the classic type and can withstand a lot more weight and abuse.

I recommend this type of tyre swing to anyone that is concerned about the safety of people using the swing. It’s highly unlikely that the chain will break in comparison with the rope. To make a chain tyre swing, you’ll need some heavy-duty weight rated chain, a tyre, a tree and some dee shackles to attach the chain to the swing.

Vertical or Horizontal – You may or may not have seen tyre swings that the tyre is either vertical or horizontal. Both style types give you a different level of comfort, enjoyment and accessibility.

When the tyre swing is vertical, you’re able to swing yourself easier than if you had a horizontal one. Whereas the horizontal tyre is nicer to relax in and watch the sky.

As you’re now aware, they’re many variations when it comes to tyre swings. Each providing its own unique benefit, you now just have to decide which one suits your needs better.

How to Make a Tree Tyre Swing

Now you’ve decided, what type of tyre swing you’re wanting to construct, let’s get into it. Below you’re able to see equipment requirements and instructions on how to build a tyre swing with both rope and chain.

Rope

For rope, the best style of tyre swing is the vertical type, and the chain type is more suitable horizontal due to the distribution of weight.

Equipment

To make a vertical type rope swing you’ll only need the following equipment; rope (approximately 50 feet or 15 meters, but this depends on the size of your tree), Rope cutters or a sharp knife, a reasonably sized tyre (either 13” or 16”), a power drill and drill bit, electrical tape and lastly a football or ladder.

Preparation

The key to making the perfect rope swing is preparing your plan of execution. Here you’ll need to find a suitable tree branch that is robust enough to hold the expected weight that is going to be on the swing.

As a role of thumb, a good tree branch is about 9 feet or more from the ground and around 10” thick from where it’s going to be hung to ensure it’s strong and sturdy.

You should also drill a drainage hole in the bottom of your tyre to make sure it doesn’t fill with rainwater and give it a thorough clean with a pressure washer.

Once you’ve achieved the above, it’s time to move onto creating the swing.

Execution

1. Now you have all the equipment and have correctly prepared, it’s time to start constructing the swing
2. First, you’ll need to loop your rope around the tree branch. To do this either use a ladder to climb up the tree and loop over the branch or securely tie your rope onto a football and throw it over the branch while holding onto the other side of the rope. Either way will successfully get your rope over the branch.
3. Now your rope has lopped around the branch, you’ll be able to tie a slip knot from the ground and tighten it up until it’s touching the tree branch.
4. With the spare rope, you can now attach your tyre (Make sure the drainage holes are pointing towards the ground).
5. Use a fisherman or bowline knot to secure the tyre to the rope and tree. Keep in mind how high of the ground you want the rope swing, go of your own judgment here as it’ll depend on both the user and the environment it’s in.
6. Now all the ropes are tied, you’re able to wrap all ends with electrical tape and light them to stop flaring.
7. Lastly, test out your rope swing. I recommend the builder to try his creation first encase any malfunctions happen! Once you’re happy with the safety and end result of the tyre swing, start inviting people to use it.

1. This is a bowline knot above

Making a rope tyre swing is by far the simplest. However, they don’t last as long as your chain tyre swing which we’re going to discuss how to make next.

Chain

Next is the chain tyre swing and as mentioned above, this is best for horizontal swings as it deals with the weight a lot better.

Equipment  

To make a horizontal swing by using a chain you need the following items; 2x hook bolts with suitable washers and nuts, 1x hook screw, 4x dee shackles, weight-rated chain long enough to dangle from the branch to the tyre swing (plus 2x 24” pieces of chain), a tyre at either 13” or 16”, drill and drill bits and also a ladder.

Preparation

First, find a strong enough branch that follows this guidance, the tree branch should be about 9 feet or more from the ground and around 10” thick from where it’s going to be hung to ensure it’s strong and sturdy.

Once you’ve found your hanging location, you’ll need to use a ladder to climb up to the branch and screw the hook screw into place. Make sure all the threads provided are in the branch to allow for maximum strength.

Preparing the Tyre

You should also prepare your tyre, you can do this by drilling drainage holes on the side of the tyre that will be facing the floor. You can also cut out small holes for your hook bolts and fasten both the nuts and washes to them. To make it an even weight distribution, fix the bolts onto the tyre so they’re opposite each other.

Now you have the hook bolts attached to the tyre and fastened up and the hook screw in the hanging area of the tree, you’re now ready to construct it all together.

Execution

Although there are many ways in which you can make a chain-type rope swing, this is by far the best method.

1. Now you’ve prepared your tyre swing, your first step of constructing it together is by attaching a dee shackle to the end of the chain and fixing it to the screw hook that you’ve already screwed into the tree branch.
2. Once this is attached, tighten the other dee shackle on the hanging piece of chain.
3. Now open the dee shackle and add the two other pieces of 24” chain and then fasten the dee shackle.
4. With the remaining dee shackles, you’re able to attach them to the hook bolts in the tyre.
5. Now, one by one, connect both the dee shackles that are on the hook bolts on the tyre, onto the two handing pieces of 24” chain.
6. Everything should now be connected and you’ll be free to test your heavy-duty chain swinging tyre.

Can you Create a Tyre Swing Without A Tree?

Of course, you can, and it’s much simpler than you think, all you’ll need to do is to create an A-Frame from sturdy wood. I’ve seen some great and some not-so-great A-Frames for tyre swings and it really depends on your construction ability, as well as the tools you have.

To create a small, single porch swing I’ve suggested the materials you’ll need to create this below.

List of materials:

• Pine Treated Pressure Pine Lumber x 4 – 4″ x 4″ x 10′ x 1 – 4″ x 6, “x 12′ x 4 – 2″ x 4″ x 8” —
• Deck Screws x 28 – 21⁄2″
• 

Conclusion

Creating a simple tyre swing shouldn’t be hard and once you’ve got all the base materials, you’ll be set up in a matter of hours. It’s enjoyable to create an even more pleasant seeing someone else enjoying your creation.

When building a tire swing, you want to make sure there are no surprises when your little one begins their travels through the air. You can trust in branch stability and chain weight strain for longevity but don’t forget stainless bolts and screws – these will never rust! If further help is needed, check out this insightful video on safely hanging a tyre swing.