air bag tubes and valves

[choire]

I want to shorten the tubes on my air bags 'cos they stick up and get snagged on things, and look a mess.

Cutting the tube, no problem.
Re using the valve, probably not a problem as long as it is not glued in (looks like a push fit)

Refitting the valve into the now shorter tube???

I'm guessing dip tube in very hot water, push on valve, allow to cool.

Any advice welcome. What I do not want to end up with are air bags that leak.
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[allan]

hot water should work, and if you end up with a still leaky valve, just throw some aquaseal around the fitting, and she'll be leak-free....

i actually aquaseal all new airbags now, right where the tube attaches to the airbag, because i've found that's the most common place for them to blow out... two minutes of preventative maintenance saves a bundle of time in the long run!

cheers,
-allan

[msims]

Do you know where you can get replacement valves/tubes? I need some. My airbags are in decent shape but my tubes are shot.... in fact one is just duct taped shut permanently.

[pevans]

I remember seeing them in the NRS catalog. I also some from Mohawk canoe once. There are different sizes so you will want to measure first.

- Paul

[allan]

You can often get them for free from outfitters... most places just throw out really old, battered airbags, sending the perfectly good tubes to the trash as well.

Mike, in Toronto, I've never had a lot of luck, but if you're up near peterborough, check out wildrock, and the best place I've had luck in Ontario has been at Algonquin Outfitters in the park... show up during the spring when they're just setting their fleet up for the summer, and they'll have ample airbags sitting around that they'll give you.

cheers,
-allan

[sbroam]

My problem has not been with the valves, but the elbows coming out of the bag. I've had two or three sets of bags leak there over the years - I end up with gobs of aquaseal or silicone there. Never found a satisfactory solution there.