Deflate tubes ?

sib · 30 January 2012, 18:27

does anyone deflate the tubes when towing long distance and if so why and how do you stop the deflated tubes from flapping ?

Anyone know how wide the Peage lanes in France are ( hence previous question) ?

merci

Anchorhandler · 30 January 2012, 18:55

The autoroutes in France are geared up to accomodate "convoi exceptionelles" of the first categorie only.
This means that if the load your towing is above 2.55m but below 3m then you should be OK.

If however you exceed the 3m width then you pass into category 2 which means that only certain autoroutes can accomodate you and even then you have to give three days notice. (you also need a 'voiture pilote' or pilot vehicle to drive ahead of you)

Note also that technically, if your towing something in France and you fall in cat 1 "CE" then your load has to be marked at its widest point with flashing amber beacons both front and back.

With regards to the tubes, our Osprey falls under the maximum width before passing into "convoi exceptionelle" so we always tow with the tubes inflated.

Im sure there are other ribnetters on here that have/do tow with tubes deflated for various reasons but i would be surprised if they need to do anything to stop them flapping (i think the material is so heavy that when deflated it tends not to move anyway)

Simon

SW RIB Charter · 11 February 2012, 11:07

The Peages in France generally have one gate set at 3m to accommodate Cat 1 convoi exceptionnels. If you are running as a Cat 1 convoi (ie anything over 2.55m wide or 4m high), you will need a Cat 1 permit, 4 x marker boards with outline lights and amber beacons and "convoi exceptionnel" boards front and rear. You are also restricted on which roads you can travel on and the times you are allowed to drive. In summary, if you can get the width down to below 2.55m, it is a lot easier and cheaper.

I do a lot of driving in France and the rest of Europe with both Cat 1 and Cat 2 loads, so happy to answer any questions.

Michael

sib · 13 February 2012, 17:05

I guess then with an overall beam of 2.6m on my XS rib, I'll let the tubes down....any problem with flapping at motorway speeds or are they heavy enough not to worry about ?

SW RIB Charter · 13 February 2012, 17:59

At 2.6m I would risk it personally!

alpha · 13 February 2012, 18:57

[QUOTE=sib;442044]does anyone deflate the tubes when towing long distance and if so why and how do you stop the deflated tubes from flapping ?

I use a shop vac to suck all the air from the tubes,they flap a lot less that way.

dougcrock · 14 February 2012, 10:30

both my marlins were deflated and vacummed by Bravo pumps this held them ridgid they were supplied with transport covers that fitted the deflated shape
made the setup much easier (and legal) to tow inflation took 10/15 mins
present marlin is 3.3M wide