How to Make a Zipper Ride

A short-distance zipper ride, or a zip line, can be created in any downhill area. You can construct a zipper lines that goes through the trees or ends with a splash in the water. They require some work to set up, but will last for years.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 large sturdy trees
  • Cleared area
  • Pruning shears
  • Gloves
  • 2.5-foot-long wooden boards (5)
  • Length of galvanized steel cable
  • Thimbles
  • Turnbuckles
  • Pulley
  • Harness
  • Hammer and nails
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Instructions

    • 1

      Pick a place for the zipper ride. It needs to be in an area that runs slightly downhill. The most ideal place will not have many things to clear out, such as branches and brush. If you do need to clear out the area, tie a rope to where your zipper ride is going to start, and bring it down the hill to where it will end.

    • 2

      Pick two large, sturdy trees for the start and end of your zipper ride. Nail the boards to the side of the tree, creating stair steps up to where you want the zipper ride to be anchored. This will need to be at least 15 to 20 feet off of the ground to clear riders' height and low-lying vegetation.

    • 3

      Wrap the steel cable around this area of the tree. Attach thimbles to each point in the cable where it comes back to the front of the tree, in front of you. Secure them with a turnbuckle, which will secure the cable tightly in this position.

    • 4

      Pull the cable extremely tight to create the zipper ride. This is important, because riders' weight will pull the cable downward. Bring the cable to the second large tree, where the ride will end.

    • 5

      Wrap the cable tightly around the bottom of the trunk of this tree, then attach thimbles to each point in the cable where it comes back to the front. When the cables cross each other, put them through a turnbuckle. You will need to pull it as taut as possible through this turnbuckle, which may require more than one person.

    • 6

      Secure the pulley and harness to the zipper ride. This secures the rider to the cable, creating a safer ride. Next, test the zipper ride by riding it. Make repairs as necessary, pulling the cable tighter.