New $400 Tube Lasted 1 1/2 trips. Repairable?

[cimarron]

We bought a half pipe 4 person towable. It's a $400 tube that everyone had a blast with on its first trip. Last week we took it to the lake again, and about mid day, it had a slow leak in it. Are these repairable?

 

[John_S]

Re: New $400 Tube Lasted 1 1/2 trips. Repairable?

You have to find the leak, and determine if puncure, split, slice, etc. Also, how it may have happened. Most are completely covered in canvas, so would need to see if some defect in it was causing puncture. Access to the tube, is usually a challenge, via one or two holes. Then contact mfg. Or contact them and let them handle the hole thing.

 

[cimarron]

Re: New $400 Tube Lasted 1 1/2 trips. Repairable?

You have to find the leak, and determine if puncure, split, slice, etc. Also, how it may have happened. Most are completely covered in canvas, so would need to see if some defect in it was causing puncture. Access to the tube, is usually a challenge, via one or two holes. Then contact mfg. Or contact them and let them handle the hole thing.

Thanks for the advice. I was wondering if it was a mfg defect, but really can't get to look at the area covered by canvas. I was wondering if I over inflated, and bouncing on it caused a tear on a seam? We didn't touch anything with the tube. Thank again.

 

[John_S]

Re: New $400 Tube Lasted 1 1/2 trips. Repairable?

Most people don't inflate enough. If you blew a seam, it will go flat right away.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: New $400 Tube Lasted 1 1/2 trips. Repairable?

I had a similar thing happen last week, Chariot Warbird II went flat overnight after 2nd time out from new, I removed the main bladder from the canvas through the access hole and found one of the runner seams let loose right at the joint. Called Sportstuff.com they stand 100% behind products 90 days from purchase. I explained that we got it for Christmas and live in Ohio didn't even take it out till June this year, he said thats ok no problem and is sending me another new main bladder free, didn't even want the old one back or a receipt! I'll have the new one in about 3 days. +++++Sportstuff.Com++++++

 

[cimarron]

Re: New $400 Tube Lasted 1 1/2 trips. Repairable?

I had a similar thing happen last week, Chariot Warbird II went flat overnight after 2nd time out from new, I removed the main bladder from the canvas through the access hole and found one of the runner seams let loose right at the joint. Called Sportstuff.com they stand 100% behind products 90 days from purchase. I explained that we got it for Christmas and live in Ohio didn't even take it out till June this year, he said thats ok no problem and is sending me another new main bladder free, didn't even want the old one back or a receipt! I'll have the new one in about 3 days. +++++Sportstuff.Com++++++

Thanks for the update. I was able to find the zipper on the scrambler halfpipe sold by sportstuff.com, also. I took the bladder out and filled it up. There is a 1/4 inch tear on one of the creases. If I could describe it, under each seam, there are creases. One of the creases appears to have torn. I'll give them a call, and see what happens. Thanks for your help, and comments.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: New $400 Tube Lasted 1 1/2 trips. Repairable?

Under inflation and people bouncing around on it out of the water are big reasons for leakage issues. Fortunately our 4 man "Cruizzer" at $65:00 on sale from that place that sells the Tahoe range is still holding strong and providing endless fun for the family.
Good Luck with yours and let us all know how you make out.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: New $400 Tube Lasted 1 1/2 trips. Repairable?

my 35 dollar bought new on Ebay tube is on it's fourth year, but in every manufacturer defects happen. luck of the draw sometimes, but the maker should stand behind it.

 

[cimarron]

Re: New $400 Tube Lasted 1 1/2 trips. Repairable?

Under inflation and people bouncing around on it out of the water are big reasons for leakage issues. Fortunately our 4 man "Cruizzer" at $65:00 on sale from that place that sells the Tahoe range is still holding strong and providing endless fun for the family.
Good Luck with yours and let us all know how you make out.

I called CS at Sports Stuff, and they are sending me a new bladder. As some folks are stating, there may be more of a problem with under inflation than over inflation. I am using a 12v connection on the boat. The CS rep indicated I should finish it off with a hand pump. The tube should be skin tight. If standing on it in your front lawn, the tube shouldn't sink more than an inch was his statement. The half pipe is a fun tube, and I'm glad we'll be trying it again soon. Thanks for everyone's recommnedations.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: New $400 Tube Lasted 1 1/2 trips. Repairable?

I've never finished mine off with a hand pump and use a 12v inflator hooked to the cig lighter adaptor. I fill it cold with as much air as I can get into it. Then the warm air from the sun gets it skin tight.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New $400 Tube Lasted 1 1/2 trips. Repairable?

that's why i still use a tractor tube.

 

[Ret USN CPO]

Re: New $400 Tube Lasted 1 1/2 trips. Repairable?

that's why i still use a tractor tube.

Yeah, but they just aren't that easy to find any more.

 

[BMOLCHANY]

Re: New $400 Tube Lasted 1 1/2 trips. Repairable?

I hope it is worth 400 dollars. I think that I would stay with a truck or tractor innertube instead of that price.

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: New $400 Tube Lasted 1 1/2 trips. Repairable?

There was a Airbase where I lived as a kid and we used to get the old Airplane tubes. They were great, and lasted for ever. The “flyboys” used to give them to us, and then ask if we had any cute sisters. Don't know where you would get one now.

We used to rent them below the dam on the river and sometimes on the beach to tourist for make extra boat gas money. Winters we used them when it snowed to slide off the dam. Now they put fences up to put a stop to all that fun. I will still tie one to the back of a Jeep when no one is looking, the kids are in school and fly through the neighborhoods by my dads house.

Yea, I know, off topic, rude thread hijacking, dangerous ...

Sorry!

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: New $400 Tube Lasted 1 1/2 trips. Repairable?

Theres a lot to be said for the tractor tube !!!!!

 

[cimarron]

Re: New $400 Tube Lasted 1 1/2 trips. Repairable?

I hope it is worth 400 dollars. I think that I would stay with a truck or tractor innertube instead of that price.

I don't have a lot of money to spend at will. One thing I don't mess around with is safety. I've put my son, nephews, and nieces on the tube. I can't see myselft using a truck or tractor innertube. Never seen one person use a innertube to pull their families around the lake. I'll stick to the safety first rule, and spend a few dollars on somthing that give the kids a chance to have safe fun.
If I couldn't afford it, I'd take them to the swimming pool, or Six Flags water park where we have a season pass.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New $400 Tube Lasted 1 1/2 trips. Repairable?

where do you think that $400 tube evolved from. tractor tube.

 

[Splat]

Re: New $400 Tube Lasted 1 1/2 trips. Repairable?

I'm curious how one can think a tractor tube is unsafe? Maybe your realizing something I'm not.

Bill

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: New $400 Tube Lasted 1 1/2 trips. Repairable?

I tried a truck tube a long time ago, first problem I had is the rope just pinched up on the tube, then I tried again with a strap around it and that helped but not much, oh and that big valve stem was another potential hazard.

 

[cimarron]

Re: New $400 Tube Lasted 1 1/2 trips. Repairable?

I'm curious how one can think a tractor tube is unsafe? Maybe your realizing something I'm not.

Bill

Taking precaution, and using common sense can prevent most accidents. Some precautions may have a cost to them. Whether your sport is hunting, racecar driving, or football; equipment is designed to protect the participants. Football helmets didn?t have facemasks in the 1920s. After people broke bones and lost teeth, changes were made to protect the participants. I?m sure someone questioned why they needed to change the design of those old football helmets and add a facemask. But some people don?t get the big picture. I?m sure there were several accidents caused by people using the old tractor tube.
I?m also sure the engineers that designed the tractor tube didn?t ask themselves how can we construct this tube to prevent harm to children when their incompetent parents decide to operate this old tube as a towable behind their boat. I?ll bet the US Consumer Protection Agency will not allow the sales of tractor inner tubes to be used as a towable.
Again, if people are going to have family fun, they should take precaution, and use common sense. Especially if they have children. That way everyone can return home safely from the lake. Otherwise, people should stay home and run through the sprinklers to cool off.