Towing 4 Tubes

[MRMoffat1]

I've read a couple of other threads: 1) Don't tow multiple tubes with pylon, and 2) Don't trust grab handle with anything but pulling yourself out of the water. Thinking about the attached set up for the summer? Anyone else have any other ideas?

[dogbert]

I think you're fine as far as the tow point.

However, IMHO, I seriously have to question the safety of 4 tubes. I sometimes tow 2 O'Brien Super Screamers (2 person tube) and it's very hard to do this safely. I can't even imagine keeping track of 4 tubes and ropes. The riders have to pay attention to the other ropes at all times. 1 other rope is hard enough, 3 would be very dangerous.

[FIC]

We mount 3 to 4 tubes off of the transom hooks with a v hook like you have drawn, we like it the best because it gives us the best whip in the turns, we dont like off of the tower because it gives to much lift and the rear pole drags across the vynle.

[zad0030]

2) Don't trust grab handle with anything but pulling yourself out of the water.

What about us who have the tow hooks on them?

[Dan and Christy]

Moffat, whatever you do don't get the harness that slides from one side to the other. This contraption completely defeats the purpose of tubing which is to whip the living daylights out of the passengers. I can't remember the name of it but it was made by airhead.

[jleger98]

I'm sure you already have thought of this, but make sure that the ropes are all the same length. I was pulling two tubes, and one rope was about 4 feet longer than the other, and the result was some nasty rope burn. Had to waste a lot of good beer to make it better

[dogbert]

I'm sure you already have thought of this, but make sure that the ropes are all the same length. I was pulling two tubes, and one rope was about 4 feet longer than the other, and the result was some nasty rope burn. Had to waste a lot of good beer to make it better

Even with equal length ropes, riders need to watch for the ropes when you stop to pick up riders, especially if there's lots of chop in the water.

[xpjim1]

Moffat, whatever you do don't get the harness that slides from one side to the other. This contraption completely defeats the purpose of tubing which is to whip the living daylights out of the passengers. I can't remember the name of it but it was made by airhead.

I have that harness. Totally useless for tubes but it is good for towing in Malibu's who run out of gas.

I only pull two 3 person tubes. One from each hook. Ropes definately need to be the same length. Don't know if iI could keep track of 4 tubes and ropes

[anhaney]

I have that harness. Totally useless for tubes but it is good for towing in Malibu's who run out of gas.

I only pull two 3 person tubes. One from each hook. Ropes definitely need to be the same length. Don't know if iI could keep track of 4 tubes and ropes

That harness works great for tying up to shore and anchoring out.

[TRD]

What is the reason for NOT pulling multiple tubes from the center pylon? We pull 3 and 4 tubes at a time from pylon for years now. I just found out that my tower isn't safe what is wrong w/ my ski pylon.

[anhaney]

What is the reason for NOT pulling multiple tubes from the center pylon? We pull 3 and 4 tubes at a time from pylon for years now. I just found out that my tower isn't safe what is wrong w/ my ski pylon.

That is a lot of stress put on your ski pylon. I dont know if it would be worth the fiberglass damage. I will pull one tube form my pylon but not more than one.

[talltigeguy]

TRD,
You do not have the pansy pylon, so yours is fine. In 2003, Tige went with the pylon on the V-drives that is fiberglassed in, and supposedly with an aluminum support piece. It does not go to the stringers like in older models or direct drives. Mine had a sticker on it that said not to pull more than one skier, and no tubes.

Dan and Christy,
I have tried hard to find the right harness to pull off of the tow rings. The airhead ones are crappy, because I have had two of them and the roller eventually loses contact with the rope and it then breaks. The first one I had lasted a while, the second one I had broke after a few times out.

I have never had a problem whipping people good with a swivel type of harness. I was concerned about the harnesses that do not swivel, because when the tube is pulled to the side, all of the force is put on the opposite lifting ring, and it is pulled to the side. I worried about it not handling that kind of force, but have never heard of or seen one come loose, so it might be my anxiety disorder acting up again.

This is what I have used and I think it is by far the best. I have now gone back to the pylon, because when using the tow rings, the tube is so far back, that unless you go 28MPH, it gets hard to get them out of the wake. The wake is very wide back there at slow speeds and my kids are wussies when I start going with any speed. With the harness, the rope sits low in the water and the spray is pretty annoying.

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Accurate-Del...QQcmdZViewItem

Make sure the one you get is wide enough. I have seen tow harnesses that are only 8 feet across, not enough for a TIge.

[donwarwick]

wots the ski pylon on the 20i's like? they strong enough? or are they pansy pylons?

thx

[Ks]

Just ordered a custom one from Top Knot.

More expensive, but worth it I think when you consider the damage that towing from the pylon can do.

Top Knot makes some cool stuff check them out.

[jleger98]

its not necessarily the normal towing that is the problem. Its when you whip someone out of the tube and the tube flips over and starts plowing water. Its like sticking a huge "water brake" in the water.