The Ford Barn

Jon · 01-26-2011, 10:48 AM

Forgot I had these pictures. It was snowing pretty good as you can see so decided to try the clothes line trick. I think I'd use nylon if I had to do it over. The cotton rope worked OK for about 5 miles but was almost worn through in spots when I got back home.

V4F · 01-26-2011, 10:59 AM

when i lived in snow , i used a sprint car tire groover & made a set of snow tires out of 2 spares . they worked great ............. steve

Pilotdave · 01-26-2011, 12:51 PM

Is the line a continuous wrap or separately tied loops...can't quite tell from the pictures.

ken ct · 01-26-2011, 01:00 PM

There usually continuous but they dont last long. LOL ken ct.

ursus · 01-27-2011, 04:28 PM

I have used polypropylene rope, the kind used for boating purposes. I get it for free, because the yachty types will readily replace a line that has a slight amount of chafing. Check the trash bins at a yacht club or commercial fishing moorage. As the rope wears, it gets increasingly furry, which grips ice and snow even better.

bobpo · 01-27-2011, 08:30 PM

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The reason clothesline worked so well back in the day was there weren't any paved roads, at least down in the Ozarks where we lived. Dirt isn't nearly as hard on the rope as Asphalt or Concrete.

THEN CAME SNOW TIRES..!

Bruce Adams · 01-27-2011, 08:58 PM

Dacron polyester would be the most chafe resistant rope.
Its kind of expensive but if you know any racing sailors, we retire it much earlier than a snow chain would be bothered by.

Glenn C. · 01-28-2011, 12:07 AM

I got my Model A stuck out in a summer fallow field, in the spring, when I was 14 years old. When I walked home some for help from dad, he handed me two old lariet ropes that were hanging up in the barn, and told me to get myself out. He did tell me how to do it, but I still had to walk back and use the old trick. That was a long time ago. Still have that particular car.

Kids today miss out on so much of just plain life. Damned computers, etc.

Tom Wesenberg · 01-28-2011, 09:29 AM

"Kids today miss out on so much of just plain life. Damned computers, etc. "

I'd have to agree. When's the last time you say a kid making a motorbike, or messing with a go-kart or out tinkering with an old car!

NoSurf · 01-28-2011, 10:32 AM

Neat. I am going to try that!

30Tudor · 01-28-2011, 01:50 PM

Interesting idea. I assume it would also work in a pinch with a modern car with spoked aluminum rims. Another reason to carry a bit of rope in the car winter emergency kit.

Fortunately I at least have one kid that rebuilt a motorbike and both of them are interested in our Model A and quite willing to at least take it apart.

01-26-2011, 10:59 AM	#2
V4F Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: ca. Posts: 2,522	Re: Clothesline snow tires when i lived in snow , i used a sprint car tire groover & made a set of snow tires out of 2 spares . they worked great ............. steve __________________ V4f

01-26-2011, 12:51 PM	#3
Pilotdave Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Grafton, MA Posts: 1,226	Re: Clothesline snow tires Is the line a continuous wrap or separately tied loops...can't quite tell from the pictures.

01-26-2011, 01:00 PM	#4
ken ct BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: stratford,ct Posts: 5,971	Re: Clothesline snow tires There usually continuous but they dont last long. LOL ken ct.

01-27-2011, 04:28 PM	#5
ursus Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,375	Re: Clothesline snow tires I have used polypropylene rope, the kind used for boating purposes. I get it for free, because the yachty types will readily replace a line that has a slight amount of chafing. Check the trash bins at a yacht club or commercial fishing moorage. As the rope wears, it gets increasingly furry, which grips ice and snow even better.

01-27-2011, 08:30 PM	#6
bobpo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 556	Re: Clothesline snow tires Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The reason clothesline worked so well back in the day was there weren't any paved roads, at least down in the Ozarks where we lived. Dirt isn't nearly as hard on the rope as Asphalt or Concrete. THEN CAME SNOW TIRES..!

01-27-2011, 08:58 PM	#7
Bruce Adams Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northport, NY Posts: 1,597	Re: Clothesline snow tires Dacron polyester would be the most chafe resistant rope. Its kind of expensive but if you know any racing sailors, we retire it much earlier than a snow chain would be bothered by.

01-28-2011, 12:07 AM	#8
Glenn C. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Didsbury Alberta Posts: 838	Re: Clothesline snow tires I got my Model A stuck out in a summer fallow field, in the spring, when I was 14 years old. When I walked home some for help from dad, he handed me two old lariet ropes that were hanging up in the barn, and told me to get myself out. He did tell me how to do it, but I still had to walk back and use the old trick. That was a long time ago. Still have that particular car. Kids today miss out on so much of just plain life. Damned computers, etc. Last edited by Glenn C.; 01-28-2011 at 12:11 AM. Reason: Additional comment

01-28-2011, 09:29 AM	#9
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Clothesline snow tires "Kids today miss out on so much of just plain life. Damned computers, etc. " I'd have to agree. When's the last time you say a kid making a motorbike, or messing with a go-kart or out tinkering with an old car!

01-28-2011, 10:32 AM	#10
NoSurf Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Plymouth NH Posts: 70	Re: Clothesline snow tires Neat. I am going to try that!

01-28-2011, 01:50 PM	#11
30Tudor Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 211	Re: Clothesline snow tires Interesting idea. I assume it would also work in a pinch with a modern car with spoked aluminum rims. Another reason to carry a bit of rope in the car winter emergency kit. Fortunately I at least have one kid that rebuilt a motorbike and both of them are interested in our Model A and quite willing to at least take it apart.