Recycle a Used Tire as an Old Fashioned Tire Swing

May 31, 2011
Chasity Goddard

Repurpose an old tire and create a tire swing. - Photo by Elaine Ashton

Create a tire swing and save a used tire from the landfill.

According to the EPA, the US disposed of 290 million scrap tires in 2003. The scrap tires that make their way into landfills create hazardous conditions, leaching chemicals into the soil and groundwater. Increasing efforts to repurpose used tires as fuel, rubberized asphalt, rubber sidewalks and mulch have successfully kept many tires from reaching landfills. As individuals realize the importance of recycling and repurposing items instead of disposing of them, more creative techniques and projects will be developed. However, one of the easiest ways to repurpose a used tire remains the installation of a classic a tire swing.

Materials Needed for a Tire Swing

You will need a few items to create a tire swing.

used tire
cordless drill
drill bits
eye bolts
wrench
s-hooks
pliers
chain

How to Assemble a Tire Swing

Chose a tire that comfortably suits the size of the intended users. Small children cannot comfortably or safely ride a 24-inch tire, so chose a smaller 15-inch tire instead. The child's feet should be able to rest on the opposite side of the tire as she swings. Drill several drainage holes in the bottom of tire with a 1/2" or smaller drill bit. Drill the holes equally spaced apart along the exterior edge of the bottom of the tire. These holes allow rainwater to exit the tire.

Turn the tire over and drill three holes in a triangle pattern that are slightly smaller than the eyebolt. The triangle pattern supports the tire evenly so that it will remain in a vertical position during use. Insert a nut and a washer onto each eyebolt. Then insert the eyebolts into the holes. Attach a second washer inside the tire on the end of the eyebolts with a lock washer and a second nut. Tighten the nuts with a wrench. The tire swing is now ready for hanging.

How to Hang a Tire Swing

A tire swing can hang from a swingset or from a tree. Choose an appropriate location that will easily support the weight of the swing and the riders. When installing the swing on a tree limb, the limb should move only slightly while the swing is in motion. Attach one end of an S-hook to each eyebolt and clamp the S-hook closed around the eyebolt with pliers. Attach three equal lengths of chain to the opposite ends of the S-hook and clamp the hook closed around the chain. Use three to four feet lengths of chain.

Collect the opposite ends of the chains together and connect them to a fourth S-hook. Close the bottom of the fourth S-hook with the pliers. Connect the opposite end of the S-hook to a swivel and tighten the hook. Then attach a connector link to the swivel. Hang the remaining chain in the installation location, either the swingset or the tree branch. Drape the chain over the tree branch or swingset and connect the two hanging ends of the chain with a connector link. Then fasten the connector link to the swivel on the tire swing.