12-26-2005, 12:06 PM
[cool][#0000ff]Truck tire inner tubes are getting harder to find, since most truck tires are tubeless these days. You will rarely (if ever) be able to find them at regular tire stores. They stock only passenger and light truck tires and tubes. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You have to go to the Yellow Pages and look up Tire Dealers, and then look for listings or ads that indicate that they carry truck tires. Next, you have to call and verify that they do actually carry truck inner tubes. Then, ask if they have some in the 20" size. If you have the extra large tube, you will need a 22" size.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Truck tire tubes also come in several chamber diameters...8.25", 10" and larger. I always got the 20X10, but the 8.25 is what a lot of the manufacturers (Caddis) provided standard. Those are lighter and not as tough, but they work. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]By the way, don't let the tire store talk you into buying the higher priced radial tubes. You won't get any better mileage on your float tube with radials.[/#0000ff]
(Edited in. The valve stems are straight when you buy them. You have to bend them to suit your preference when you install them in your tube. You need to use two open end wrenches and bend them slowly. If you just try to bend them over with a pair of vice grips, you will crimp the valve stem. If you get that far, and can't figure it out on your own, let me know and I will do a step by step writeup for you.)
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[#0000ff]On the PFD issue. You have already been offered some good input. I suspect that there is no requirement that you actually wear your PFD while in the tube, but it must be readily accessible. In the Fat Cats, Fish Cats, ODC 420s and similar designs, there is a small storage area behind the seat that is ideal for stuffing your PFD for quick accessibility. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Those SOSpenders are the ticket, if you feel the need to be wearing something, especially in rough water. They inflate quickly, but are almost unnoticeable in their flat state.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have a Stearns vest that is adjustable. I made sure that I have it properly sized to put on and snap if I need it, and then keep it tucked behind my seat. I can also take it with me whenever I join someone else on their boat. I am pretty good sized and it is comforting to know that I have a vest that will work if I need it.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You have to go to the Yellow Pages and look up Tire Dealers, and then look for listings or ads that indicate that they carry truck tires. Next, you have to call and verify that they do actually carry truck inner tubes. Then, ask if they have some in the 20" size. If you have the extra large tube, you will need a 22" size.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Truck tire tubes also come in several chamber diameters...8.25", 10" and larger. I always got the 20X10, but the 8.25 is what a lot of the manufacturers (Caddis) provided standard. Those are lighter and not as tough, but they work. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]By the way, don't let the tire store talk you into buying the higher priced radial tubes. You won't get any better mileage on your float tube with radials.[/#0000ff]
(Edited in. The valve stems are straight when you buy them. You have to bend them to suit your preference when you install them in your tube. You need to use two open end wrenches and bend them slowly. If you just try to bend them over with a pair of vice grips, you will crimp the valve stem. If you get that far, and can't figure it out on your own, let me know and I will do a step by step writeup for you.)
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]On the PFD issue. You have already been offered some good input. I suspect that there is no requirement that you actually wear your PFD while in the tube, but it must be readily accessible. In the Fat Cats, Fish Cats, ODC 420s and similar designs, there is a small storage area behind the seat that is ideal for stuffing your PFD for quick accessibility. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Those SOSpenders are the ticket, if you feel the need to be wearing something, especially in rough water. They inflate quickly, but are almost unnoticeable in their flat state.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have a Stearns vest that is adjustable. I made sure that I have it properly sized to put on and snap if I need it, and then keep it tucked behind my seat. I can also take it with me whenever I join someone else on their boat. I am pretty good sized and it is comforting to know that I have a vest that will work if I need it.[/#0000ff]
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