How to Construct a Zip Line

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Last Updated: February 25, 2023

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Making a zip line is easy, but safety requirements take time to think about.

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The distance should be anywhere from 50 feet (15.2 m) to 500 feet (152.4 m).
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You will need enough cable so there is suitable slack when it's stretched out between the two points. This slack should form a belly in the cable between the points. You never want to stretch the cable too tight. ^{[1]
X
Research source} This creates a dangerous situation of speed and crashing at the other end, and your last words will be, "Hey, watch this!" before you're taken to the hospital.

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If you are attaching to a tree, wrap the cable around the tree a few times and then clamp the free end to the leading end. Use high quality clamps that are sized for the cable diameter. These clamps will require you to tighten with a socket set. Two clamps six inches apart are good. Three or four clamps add the necessary safety. ^{[2]
X
Research source} The other end of the cable is where you will tighten it up and raise it off the ground.
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Attach the winch to this clamp and to a point on the tree. Winch the cable up. Once it's winched up, the free end of the cable can be wrapped around the tree and then clamped on its leading end to hold it in place. ^{[3]
X
Research source} Try to have the clamps about 8-feet from the tree. At this point the winch can be taken off the first clamp and then reinstalled on the furthest out permanent cable clamp. This allows for adjustments to be made on the cable. As the cable stretches, it will need to be tightened with the winch.
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This is a nerve-wracking decision. Testing the zip line is important. ^{[4]
X
Research source}

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How do I make sure a zip line has the right amount of rope?

Community Answer

When you buy the cables for the the zip line, just make sure you have 15-20 ft. of extra cable to account for slack. (You'll need to measure the length of your zip line area as well.)

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Question

How can you set up a zip line if you don't have any trees?

Community Answer

You would have to build a system that would replace the trees, like some steel posts. They must be able to hold the weight though. It will be more difficult and costly.

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Question

How do I get the other end of the cable to the other side?

Raif

Community Answer

You can lasso it to someone on the other side and the one on the other side can tie it on the object. If there is noone on the other side, you will have to engineer something that can help you.

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Things You'll Need

1/4 or 3/8-inch steel-cable
Come-along manual winch
Properly sized cable clamps
Ladder
zip roller

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