When purchasing a new set of tires for your vehicle, have you ever noticed that the price isn’t simply the sum of four tires plus sales tax? Instead, it comes to a bit more. If one expects to enjoy a smooth ride, they need to be balanced. The charge for balancing never seems to appear in those colorful ads, do they? Well, there will also be a fee to dispose of those old, worn-out tires as well.
Typically, old tires will meet up with one of two fates: They may be tossed into a heap and set afire. The ensuing black smoke can be seen for miles, and as far as air quality goes, the toxins produced by that burning rubber will make a bar filled with chain-smoking customers seem clean by comparison. Fortunately, burning old tires is now largely discouraged, and recycling the rubber for other uses is now the norm. But have you ever considered keeping those old tires? Should you decide to throw them in the trunk and take them home, they can serve many practical purposes.
Tire Swings
Yes, it may seem a bit quaint and more suitable for a Norman Rockwell painting, but old tires still make excellent swings for the kids. All that is required is a sturdy rope, a strong tree branch, and of course, the tire. This beats paying a couple of hundred bucks for a swing set and then spending hours assembling and anchoring it afterwards.
Supports
Old tires are perfect for elevating objects above the ground. For example, let’s suppose you wish to spray paint a car’s body that has been separated from the chassis or for that matter; any large object such as a patio table. By simply supporting each corner with an old tire, this prevents such an article from sticking to either grass or a concrete floor. Placing plywood over old tires also serves as a nice substitute for a pallet.
Exercise Equipment and Games
Have you ever seen American football players doing running drills at practice? How about military recruits in physical training? Oftentimes, in both instances, old tires are placed on the ground so that runners place their feet in the centers to strengthen leg muscles. And how about using a discarded tire for a simple game of beanbag tossing ? Flip it upright, place a cardboard target inside, and use it for archery! They can also serve as tubes for water sports and even sleds in the snow!
Pushing Stuck Vehicles
At one time or another, just about anyone living in cold, wintry climates has experienced the following problem: After a snowstorm, the city plows come through and place a wall of snow directly in the entrance to your driveway! As you try to blast your way through this barrier, your vehicle becomes stuck; particularly if it sits low to the ground or is not equipped with all-wheel or four-wheel drive. Waiting for a tow truck or enough neighbors to assist in pushing the stranded vehicle out of this predicament is oftentimes out of the question. As a result, many will push a stuck vehicle out with another vehicle! By placing an old tire between the two vehicles, the risk of body damage is negated. Just be sure it is not still attached to the rim!
Holding down Tarps/Covers
Many people simply don’t have garages or storage buildings to protect all of their possessions, so they are kept outdoors. In inclement weather, those boats, travel trailers, articles of lawn or patio furniture, and other such items need to be protected from the outdoor elements. Provided a tornado or hurricane isn’t headed your way, old tires make perfect anchors to hold down protective tarps and covers for these objects.
These are just a few practical uses for old, discarded tires. If you have never thought of these or perhaps even other ways in which those worn tires can come in handy, it may be worthwhile to hang onto a set the next time your vehicle needs a fresh set.
