storing your float tube

Hey guys, first of all I'm not sure if I'm doing this post thing correctly, but if not someone please set me straight.  I'm wondering how folks store there tubes if doing so for an extended period of time, say 3-4 months; leave inflated, deflate, what else should be done.

So you are doing it just fine sir. I store my tube in my Garage partially inflated and hanging from the rafters. I do not recommend hanging your tube it is really the only way I can store my tube inflated. I do periodically check to make sure the heat has not expanded and if it has I will let air out. I have always for the last 20 years stored my tube this way. In fact, if you are storing for a long period of time I think this is the better way to store. To fold it up will crease the bladder and I think cause more weak spots for simple leaks in the future.

I store mine partially inflated on a shelf. In the summer day time temps can be 100 or more here so I can see it grow in the heat. If I leave it half full or so I it never comes close to needing air let out or bleeding off if you have a valve like that.

I think that each of us creatively store our FT's according to the space we each have,
This is how I do it.
FT skins are not allowed to become tight.
And this way they don't take up much space.


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Pushing inward approx 1 1/2"
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How do the rest of you store your tubes? ..... give it up! lol

SP Dan     <"))><

I don't "store" my tube since I'm in it pretty much every weekend, but I wash it off, let it dry thoroughly and then fold it up and put it in the closet. I simply don't have the space to do it any other way.

I think the keys are clean it and dry it as well as don't fold it for long. I have heard some people folding there tube up for the winter and filling it up in the summer. They seemed to have more issue with small leaks along the folded areas of the tube. This might also be because of age or any other number of reasons.

Storage can be an issue if there is no room so I feel if there is no room to store other then folding then make sure you inflate from time to time just to make sure you are not creasing the bladders. That is just my 2 cents there is nothing wrong with folding for storage. I feel just don't fold it up for the winter and expect no problems in the summer.

I just called customer service at Outcast and they said partially inflated in a well ventilated non-freezing garage is best, but the main thing is not letting it freeze and thaw. They said if you don't have room for that, then rolling it up is fine. I asked if it would be better to remove the bladders and he said definitely not.

So once again, you guys are spot on. No surprises there.

I hang mine from the rafters of the garage using a cargo net, tube is parallel with rafter studs...........GT