SportsStuff Bandwagon 2+2 Towable 1-4 Rider Tube

A tube that gives a lot of fun. But it had a life of about 14 months from purchase and about 12 months from the time we started using it. It was probably used for about 35 hours. We developed a leak in the main bladder. I was able to repair it so that it lasted a little longer the other issue is that we then appeared to develop a leak in the arch. I couldn’t find this leak.

Before either bladder leak, the stitching on the arch cover started to split. Initially, this was not a problem but as the arch started to leak, the gap between the cover and the bladder would let water start to enter the area between the two. This exacerbated the issue as the added water now made it less buoyant and needing to be aired faster. The water then made it harder to handle and somewhat difficult to get the water out. Overall, the expense for basically one season – or a season and a half in our case with a lot of nursing along – is too great for me. This is too bad because the kids do really enjoy it.

I have purchased two of these tubes from Amazon and multiple replacement batters directly from Sportsstuff.

First, I think this is the most fun 4-person tube you can buy. We tube almost every weekend in the summer and they get a lot of use. My girls don’t want any other tube. We go out with their friends and everyone has a blast. This tube is stable. We typically turn and jump our wake and they can really catch some air. Seeing the smiles and screams is well worth the cost to me. The tube has may different ways to the kids can arrange themselves (sitting, kneeling, laying down on your stomach and even standing on the back ). That adds to the fun. With lighter children it is actually hard to get them out of the wake. Larger children go out of the wake more do to the heavier riders have more inertia. If you have younger children this tube provides a smooth ride and it can also provide more wild rides jumping you wake. Again, everyone we have brought along loves it.

Second, we are hard on this tube and it will develop leaks. Do not over fill either of the bladders in the morning and leave it in the hot sun. The air expands when it gets hot and I have popped them by doing that (any tube, not just this one). We also develop leaks jumping large wakes. I patched our first one many times, bought new bladders and patched those too. Keep in mind though that we boated for over fifty hours last year and tubed a good amount of that. I don’t think the patching is unusual and I’ve needed to do the same with other tubes. I don’t think it is a defect with this particular tube. Have a good patch kit and patch if it develops a hole. The patch kits I use typically work well and are easy to use. We now bought a second one this year and if it up to my girls, they will want another in 3-5 years.

Lastly, take a good look at the size and weight. This is a BIG tube and is heavy to carry. We inflate it on the water and it rides outside of the boat after that. With four riders, you know you are pulling it, so I would not recommend pulling it with a small boat. Kids like to use it as a raft while swimming too. I understand this tube is not cheap and will need periodic repairs, but the fun factor outweighs those downsides.

The best tow-able I have ever had!! I actually bought it for my 5 year old and his little cousins because it was hard for them to ride a normal tube. Regular tubes seemed to be hard on little kids to keep their head up, even when going slow if they are laying down. And they keep getting splashed in the face. I thought they would like to sit on this and it would be fun. The little kids 3-8 love to just ride on it. It is really hard to get it outside the wake due to its shape with little kids on it. This is a good thing for little kids that want to ride. They feel safe. However, I was disappointed at first because it was boring for the bigger kids. Whipping them left and right with little success. Then, they figured out how to ride it!!!!! WOW! Standing on the back they can pull up on it and the thing will fly left and right. Way better then a normal tube and fun. If you want to have fun with big kids or adults, only put riders on the back and lean like you would on any other tube. It you want to pull little kids put them anywhere. It is built tough also. My kids love it.

Con- it is hard to flip back over from the water if you flip it because it is so big. It is also pricey but worth it. (You can only flip it if you want to)

Had one of these years ago it lasted 2-3 summers then ripped and tore. Got a new one thinking it would last, it tore at the seam after 1 ride and return window is closed to return it.