What’s the difference between a commercial
towable and a consumer towable?
Commercial towables are generally used for commercial
applications such as at a camp, resort, or beachfront concession business
and must endure heavy use. These towables are built using 28 oz, 1000
Denier reinforced PVC material and are consequently much more expensive
than consumer towables. Consumers can certainly purchase the commercial
grade towables if they are looking for the ultimate in durability
and want to pull 3-6 riders at one time. Consumer grade towables are
constructed of 30gauge non-reinforced vinyl and generally have a nylon
covering over the inflatable bladder. They are intended for more recreational
use and generally accommodate a smaller number of riders simultaneously
(ie. 1-3 riders). Call us for more information 320-274-6500.
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How do I inflate/deflate
RAVE’s consumer towables?
There are a number of inflation devices available for
sale on the retail market for inflating most consumer towables. They
range from large volume, 2-way hand/foot pumps to both 110VAC and
12VDC electric pumps. Most of these pumps will allow you to both inflate
and deflate your product. You can also use your shop vac (if it has
a blower port), leave blower, compressor, etc to inflate the large
chambers of the towables. The small chambers have a much smaller valve,
however, and would require the use of a hand or electric watersports
pump. RAVE’s products utilize an industry standard valves which
allow most any style of inflator to be used.
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Can I use an air compressor
to inflate my RAVE towable?
We do not recommend the use of an air compressor for
inflating any products unless done so with extreme care and caution
as over-inflation can more easily occur, thus potentially damaging
the tube beyond repair. A Schraeder valve adaptor is required for
use with an air compressor, tire pump, etc.
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How often will I need to
add air to my product?
Although all of our towables are inspected and tested
prior to packaging to ensure they will hold air, you may still need
to add air periodically or release air to maintain proper air volume
within the tube. Due to the expansion and contraction of air with
varying temperatures, you may find it necessary to add some air or
let some air out to maintain proper firmness of the tube. Also, products
that have extended use may need to have air applied more often than
products that are used less frequently.
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Why is it important that
I maintain proper air volume within the tube?
Both over-inflated tubes and under-inflated tubes can
cause premature stress on the seams. Therefore, you can extend the
life of your product by ensuring that the proper volume of air is
inside the tube. You can tell if your tube is properly inflated when
the cover is stretched taught and the bladder is firm to the touch.
It should be difficult to insert your hand between the cover and the
tube when the bladder is properly inflated. If your tube is bulging
significantly in areas not encased by the nylon cover, then you have
too much air in the tube and some air should be released. Monitor
this air pressure throughout the day as the heat of the sun will change
the air volume within the tube.
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How can I troubleshoot a
tube that is not holding air?
In most cases, air loss within a tube is caused by either
a change in air temperature (ie. lower temperatures cause the air
within the tube to shrink) or a valve that is not seated closed properly.
Always check the valves first. If you know they are seated closed
properly, then try adding more air. If the tube is still not holding
air, then remove the bladder from the cover and rub down the entire
tube with a sponge using dish soap and water. With this method, you
will hear a hissing sound or see soap bubbles forming in the area
of the leakage. Repair any small holes using the repair kit supplied
with your product.
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How can I ensure that the
Boston valve is seated closed properly?
Check to make sure the o-ring is in place in the valve
body. Also look closely to make sure the valve doesn’t have
any nicks or sand in the threads that would prevent the body from
being screwed down tightly. Check to make sure the valve body is threaded
straight into the base. There is a plastic retainer ring that keeps
the valve body from falling apart from the base. If this ring gets
pulled out of its groove in the base, it can easily be trapped between
the o-ring and base when the valve body is screwed into the base.
This is by far the most typical reason that people find their valve
to be leaking. To correct, reinsert the ring into the groove in the
base or you can clip off the ring to ensure it can’t interfere
with the o-ring seating properly on the base.
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How can I ensure that the
clear plug valves are seated properly?
Prior to inserting the plug into the valve base, moisten
the surface of the plug then quickly insert it into the base. Doing
so will allow the plug to slide more freely into the base until it
bottoms out. The moisture around the plug also helps seal it (kind
of like getting a suction cup wet before you stick it to glass). These
valves not being seated fully down into their base is a common reason
for air leakage in smaller air chambers of your tube.
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What type of warranty is
provided for RAVE’s consumer towables?
RAVE warrants, to the original purchaser only, that
our products are free from defects in material or workmanship for
a period of one year from date of original purchase when used in a
non-commercial application. It applies to all defects encountered
in normal use of the product but does not apply in cases of loss or
damage to the product due to abuse, mishandling, alteration, accident,
failure to follow instructions provided in the manual, or maintenance
and storage guidelines, or acts of nature. Punctures, cuts, abrasions
that occur in normal use of the product are not covered.
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How do I maintain and store
my product?
When the product is not being used, we recommend storing
it in a cool, dry place out of the sun. Although the vinyl bladders
and nylon covers are impregnated with UV inhibitors, prolonged exposure
to the sun may degrade the look of the product. Remove all sand and
other debris from the tube, clean with mild soap and water and let
dry completely before storing. Roll the product loosely and store
in a dry container that will not allow it to be damaged by rodents
or other animals. If you store a product when it is wet, it may foster
the growth of mold and mildew. Do not store in an area where the tube
will be subject to extreme variations of hot and cold temperatures.
Exposure to extreme hot or cold temperatures over a prolonged period
of time can damage the product. Reinsert the cardboard insert that
came with the product into the rooster tail device(s) on the product
to maintain the shape of the device during storage.
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Does RAVE Sports carry replacement
parts for my towables?
RAVE does carry a limited number of replacement parts
for a large majority of our products. Please contact us directly at
800-659-0790 for more information.
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