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How to Make a Tube for Floating Down the River

River tubing is a favorite summer pastime that enables you to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the river while floating by on an inner tube. It's relaxing for you and fun for the kids and allows you to enjoy nature for free. You can buy river tubes from your local boating store, but you are much better off making your own. This will save an inner tube from the landfill while saving you some money.

Things You'll Need

20-inch or larger inner tube
Foot pump
Cloth
Tire patching kit
Sandpaper

Instructions

- 1
  Purchase an inner tube from your local garage or scrap yard. You can also find them at tire shops or tire repair workshops. Make sure that it is big enough to hold your weight.
- 2
  Connect the pipe on the foot pump to the valve on the inner tube. Use the foot pump to pump the tube until it is half full.
- 3
  Fill a bathtub with water and push the tube under the surface. Check for any escaping bubbles which indicate a leak. If there are no bubbles, remove the tube from the bathtub and inflate all the way. If there are bubbles, proceed to the next step.
- 4
  Make note of the location of any leaks. Remove the inner tube from the bath tub and dry it thoroughly with a cloth.
- 5
  Scuff the area around the leak with a fine grade sandpaper. This will aid adhesion of the patch. Choose a patch that is big enough to cover the leak.
- 6
  Apply adhesive to the patch and the tube and leave until tacky. Press the patch onto the tube and smooth it down to remove air bubbles. Leave to cure. Inflate your tube and head to the river.

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