Bumper rope

[Mjfire1949]

Mike, 1952 M38, 24 Volt, #65666. Can anyone tell me if there is a correct way to wind a 1 inch diameter tow rope around the front bumper? I got it from Walcks. It's 27' long and has loops on each end. Thanks in advance.
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Mjfire

[wesk]

Bumper ropes were really a WWII thing. They were used with the capstan style winches on those jeeps.

The Army never published a definitive guide to how to wrap your rope around your jeep bumper. Those that will tell you there is a correct or incorrect way are simply bashing the point based on visions they've had of rope wrapped bumpers.

If you feel you do need a set of instructions then the best source are the many period photos of WWII jeeps being actually operated with the rope wrapped around their bumpers.
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Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100

Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=Wes-Knettle&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

[whydahdvr]

I just added a couple pictures of my jeep this Summer on Martha's Vineyard. I have the rope looped around the bumper. My logic was that if it's a combat vehicle in the field and may need a rope to tow or for some other purpose I want it easily and quickly accessible - just as in the modern military our vehicle tow bars are kept easily accessible in combat in order to speed up recovery under fire. And it makes it easier to grab. Wrapping it so neatly and tightly around the bumper looks nice but makes it a lot more time consuming and harder to unwrap or rewrap it. I've already used my rope once to be towed so it was very handy to have it there.
A modern tow strap is definitely a better tool for any towing but......
Just my 2 cents. Last two pictures on my album.
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North Shore, MA
Santa Fe, NM
1942 GPW
1952 M38
1964 Apollo 5000 GT

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