Under-inflation causes the tow tube to sit low in the water.
Additional stress is
applied to the tube, cover, rope and boat, by being dragged through the water
instead of pulled across it. This stress causes the air in tubes to be displaced
and the tube may rupture. This same stress causes nylon covers to tear and
ropes to stretch. The boat cannot plane off and extra gas is consumed.
How much air is the right amount? In general, the tube is full when it is very
firm. Covered tubes should be wrinkle free. An adult should be able to stand on
the tube and only sink a couple of inches.
In order to achieve this level of
inflation, the PVC must stretch, which is why the choice of inflators is so
important. It has to have enough volume to stretch the PVC. Again, very firm,
wrinkle free, and you’ll be riding high and having the time of your life!
Towable tubes need to be full of air and properly maintained for long product life
and ultimate performance. In order to properly inflate and maintain tubes, you
must have the proper equipment.
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Pumps: First, it is important to know that tubes do not require high pressure;
they are low pressure / high volume products. If you could measure the pressure
in a fully inflated tube, it would be around 2 PSI.
Most towable tubes can be inflated using one good electric pump or a
combination of 12 volt and hand pumps. Some of the newer 12-volt inflators
have been designed specifically to inflate beds or tubes, but will still not fully
inflate some of the bigger tubes now on the market. (Most 12-volt compressors,
while doing an excellent job of filling a bicycle or car tire, do not have the volume
capacity to inflate many towables.) If you are filling your toys at the lake, some of
the bigger tubes on the market require a hand pump in addition to the 12-volt
inflator that plugs into your boat’s cigarette lighter. The inflator will do most of the
hard work, and the hand pump can be used to top off the tube and maintain
proper inflation levels.
Another suggestion is a Power Inverter. They have become much less
expensive, and are an excellent way to power 110-volt appliances on or near the
water. For tubers that live on the lake, or have access to 110-volt power, a good
110-volt inflator is a must have! Other 110-volt options are shop vacs with a
blower option and leaf blowers, which put out large volumes of air.
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Valve: Most towables use what is called a Speed Valve for inflation and
deflation.
The opening on a Speed Valve is about the size of a nickel, and uses a
simple one-way valve to keep air from escaping. Simply insert the nozzle of the
inflator into the opening on the valve and inflate.
Maintenance: Finally, it is not enough to simply fill it up and go! If you leave a
full tube sitting in the sun for any length of time, it will expand. Either store it in
the shade, or let some air out. Don’t let it sit on the beach, dock, or boat full of
air! At the same time, if it is stored out of the sun in a cool place, you may need
to add air. Check and adjust inflation levels each time you use your tube. You’ll
have more fun, and your toys will last longer. |