Earthship Tires – Where To Find Them!

Where to Get Tires for Your Earthship: Tips and Tricks for Sourcing Materials

One of the most unique—and physically demanding—elements of building an Earthship is sourcing and pounding tires for the foundation. While it may seem like a simple task to find old tires, it turns out that finding the right ones in the right quantity at the right price can be a bit more complicated than you’d expect. We learned this the hard way, and after going through the process ourselves, we have some valuable insights to share on where to find tires for your Earthship project.

Facebook Marketplace: The Treasure Trove of Tires

When we started looking for tires, the most fruitful source we found was Facebook Marketplace. It seems like there’s always someone looking to get rid of tires, and often, they are willing to part with them for very little—or even for free. A common offer we encountered was $1 per tire, and sometimes people were just happy to see them gone and would offer them for free.

A lot of homeowners or businesses have piles of old tires lying around, and they’re eager to find someone willing to haul them away. If you’re lucky, you may even find people offering tires in bulk, which can save you a lot of time and effort.

Reaching Out to Farmers and Local Businesses

Farmers, in particular, can be a goldmine for sourcing tires. We had one farmer offer us $200 just to haul away a collection of tires they no longer needed. It was a win-win situation: the farmer cleared out unwanted tires, and we got a solid batch for our Earthship foundation.

However, if you’re in a rush and don’t have the time to chase down tires from random sources, it might be worth considering hiring someone to help with tire collection. We found that hiring someone who already had connections and the right equipment sped up the process. While it was an added cost, it helped us meet deadlines and avoid the hassle of tire hunting.

Creating a Facebook Post: The Key to Getting Tires Fast

The best way to get tires quickly is to make a Facebook post offering to take tires off people’s hands. Be sure to specify that you’re looking for used tires for an Earthship project—people love the idea of contributing to a sustainable building effort. Once your post goes live, you’ll likely be bombarded with inquiries from people looking to get rid of tires. It’s a great way to tap into local networks and build connections with people who may have the exact tires you need.

Asking for Sample Pictures and Sizes

Believe it or not, finding the right size tires can be trickier than you might think, especially if you’re under a time crunch. It’s easy to think that any old tire will work, but in reality, the size of the tire matters when it comes to fitting them properly and ensuring they are compacted to the correct density for your foundation.

To save yourself time and energy, always ask for sample pictures of the tires before committing to a pickup. This way, you can see if they meet your size requirements and whether they’re in usable condition. Additionally, some people may offer to give you a tire size chart or provide details about the tires they have available, which can be incredibly helpful.

Preparing for Tire Pickup: Tools and Transportation

Once you’ve sourced your tires, make sure you’re prepared for transportation. Tires are heavy, and if you’re moving them in large quantities, you’ll need a trailer. We found that using a simple flatbed trailer with ratchet straps was sufficient for most of our tire hauls. However, if you can get your hands on an enclosed trailer, it’s even better. An enclosed trailer will protect your tires from the elements, especially rain, which can make transporting them a real pain.

Speaking of rain, if you’re transporting tires without an enclosed trailer, make sure you have a tarp to cover them. Tires will collect water every time it rains, and when you’re trying to move large quantities of tires, that extra weight and the potential for water accumulation is an added hassle you can avoid by covering them.

The Bottom Line: Tire Sourcing Takes Time, but It’s Worth It

Finding the right tires for your Earthship may take a little extra time and effort, but it’s totally doable with the right approach. Facebook Marketplace, local farmers, and a good ol’ fashioned Facebook post can all help you find a steady supply of tires. Just be sure to ask for sample pictures or details about the tire size before heading out, and make sure you have proper transportation lined up to move them efficiently.

While it might not always be easy to find the perfect tires when you’re on a tight schedule, patience and preparation will pay off. And remember, once you’ve gotten through the tire-sourcing process, you’ll have a solid foundation and thermal mass for your Earthship that’ll keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter—all thanks to a few well-placed tires.

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