Tire Swings

For the epitome of country chic, there is nothing like putting up an old tire swing. In its traditional form a tire swing is made with an old recycled automobile tire that has been removed from the rim and tied to a tree limb with a heavy rope. This type of old fashioned tire swing while very inexpensive can have its drawbacks. Most automobile tires are only 15" inside diameter at most, so the hole you stick your legs through is narrow enough to limit the size of a person using it. Without the balance that a two rope or chain system of a traditional swing, you can easily lose your grip on the single rope and fall backwards out of the tire swing. There is also the fact that the edges of an old tire do not make a comfortable swing seat. A lot of acrobatic stunts can be pulled off with a tire swing but the dangers are such that tire swings have been all but eliminated in public playgrounds.

There have been attempts to improve the classic tire swing. Some companies have actually created plastic tire swings and included them in tire swing kits to make them easier to hang. Other manufacturers have developed special swivels for tire swings. These are used on the less popular style of tire swings that are hung horizontally and are attached at three places on the tire and through the swivel to the support rope that goes on the tree branch.

Some tire swing kits are composed of a flat round disk that has the support rope or chain come up through the middle of it so that you have a flat surface to sit on while you hold the rope in front of you. There are some tire swing plans that show how to combine several tires together in what is called a tire swing horse. They are safer to ride than the old tire on a rope swing.

For the younger set, there are tire swing kits that are made of plastic and come in a variety of animal shapes, horseshoe shapes and other novelty designs. Because they are designed for young children, these types of kid tire swings are put through safety tests and standards. The most important thing to remember when deciding on a tire swing set is if it is right for the intended recipient. Building a pit of soft sawdust or sand under the tire swing can make all the difference in the event of a fall off the swing.