TOW ROPE, manilla, one inch

1950 - 1952, M38, questions, discussions, regarding anything related to the M38.
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TOW ROPE, manilla, one inch

Post by Jerseyhawg » Tue Feb 23, 2021 8:05 am

Ok, I tried resurrecting an old thread on the manilla tow rope. Figured might as well start one up. I have read and it seems that a 20 ft. Length with the eye loops is what I need. I saw the name Gene Olson on numerous threads on google search. I found his company and unfortunately Gene passed away a few years ago. They are willing to make one for me, but arent exactly sure how to do the eye loop.

So the bottom line is. Where do you guys buy these tow ropes? Or do you make your own? The owner of the M38 I bought is keeping his rope, as a close friend of his made it for him. I like the "look" and want to replace it. Any help is appreciated. Thank you all.

BTW, my new to me M38 should be here in about another week and a half. Cant wait.
Glenn
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Re: TOW ROPE, manilla, one inch

Post by JMZ421 » Tue Feb 23, 2021 8:29 am

I made my own BUT, google "jeep tow rope" and you will see a guy on ebay selling these ropes like $57!!! I do know a couple of the military vendors sell them. Maybe check Ron Fitzpatrick first. Rope is 26 feet

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Re: TOW ROPE, manilla, one inch

Post by Jerseyhawg » Tue Feb 23, 2021 9:35 am

I want to ad this. There is a supply house, that says the tow ropes they sell are STILL MADE by Gene Olson and he is still alive, NOT PASSED away.

Its times like these, who do you believe. Do you guys know if this Gene guy is still making these and still alive?

I swear. Its unreal what you hear.
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Re: TOW ROPE, manilla, one inch

Post by Jeeps4Brains » Tue Feb 23, 2021 10:30 am

I made my own from rope I got at Home Depot. They don't always have the correct 1 in rope though.

See if this link works - http://www.42fordgpw.com/how-to-make-a-tow-rope/
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Re: TOW ROPE, manilla, one inch

Post by Jerseyhawg » Tue Feb 23, 2021 12:34 pm

Differant ways to display/carry the tow rope. I see some wrap it around the bumper and some do a figure 8 around the frame horns. Is there a correct way? Or do either of these ways to carry the rope matter? I have just been researching on google, and came up with that figure 8 way to. Honestly, I did not know there was another way to put the tow rope.
Glenn
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Re: TOW ROPE, manilla, one inch

Post by Kendall » Tue Feb 23, 2021 1:07 pm

Just google how to splice an eye in a rope and you can go from there.

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Re: TOW ROPE, manilla, one inch

Post by dpcd67 » Tue Feb 23, 2021 3:07 pm

I never liked the look; I like a clean front bumper. Were they ever actually used in service?
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Re: TOW ROPE, manilla, one inch

Post by Joe Gopan » Tue Feb 23, 2021 3:18 pm

When's the last time anyone saw an M-38 with a Tow Rope in an Army Motor Pool?
How about a GI stock number for the tow rope?
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Re: TOW ROPE, manilla, one inch

Post by mdainsd » Tue Feb 23, 2021 4:19 pm

Same numer as the MB/GPW tow rope?
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Re: TOW ROPE, manilla, one inch

Post by Jerseyhawg » Tue Feb 23, 2021 4:32 pm

Maybe these tow ropes were more a thing used by jeeps in WW2? You guys would know more than me. Many of you are prior military service. I am following the conversation along. Thanks for commenting.

OT. I did get my Denix M1 Garand today. Now all I need is the jeep. LOL
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Re: TOW ROPE, manilla, one inch

Post by Ron D » Tue Feb 23, 2021 4:39 pm

Nowadays I think the ropes are jeep "bling", just like bridge plates, especially on the M38. And the rope will likely rot off the bumper long before it ever gets used. Mostly a WW2 thing me thinks, but I have a photo from 1951 with my Dad in North Korea standing in front of a MB/GPW with a rope coiled on the bumper.

Pretty sure back in the day the Army either bought it in 500-foot spools and reeled off what they needed, or stole it from the Navy (who invented rope splicing and eyelets)....... :lol: No rope in the Manuals and nothing about how to carry it, so I believe it was pure soldier ingenuity (in combat) at work --- used to hook up to another jeep or truck rather than try and man-handle it out of knee deep muck. Much faster, and not everybody gets so dirty that way. :lol:

Pretty sure that if chain back then was more common than rope, this thread would be about how to wrap chain on your bumper.... :lol:

Some folks go in for that cool bling stuff, others not so much. :D
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Re: TOW ROPE, manilla, one inch

Post by JMZ421 » Wed Feb 24, 2021 1:23 am

The wire cutters were installed on some M38's and that was a WW2 item, so a simple rope around a bumper would be Ok!! I like the idea of making your own bumper rope. It's pretty easy to do. John

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Re: TOW ROPE, manilla, one inch

Post by Joe Gopan » Wed Feb 24, 2021 4:50 am

Face it. it is a fact of life that the MV hobby has different strokes for different folks. I was taught rigging during vehicle recovery training,
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Re: TOW ROPE, manilla, one inch

Post by dpcd67 » Wed Feb 24, 2021 8:53 am

I was also taught vehicle recovery in OMO course; we learned that all Recovery vehicles have winches and cables; no rope needed. M88, M578, 5 ton wrecker of various models.
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Re: TOW ROPE, manilla, one inch

Post by mdainsd » Wed Feb 24, 2021 11:37 am

Right or wrong there is a good use for them. It keeps distracted drivers from chipping the paint on the bumper when they pull into parking places 8)
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