Do you tow tubes from your tower or lower tow hook?

[Julian]

Curious to know who tows tubes from their tower, and if they do, do you tow ALL tubes from the tower regardless of size, or would you, for example, not tow a Bandwagon2+2 from the tower as it weighs too much?

If you don't tow tubes, or don't have a tower...please don't vote.

 

[Julian]

I don't have a tower yet....so I'm not voting...but am curious to see the results as I will have a tower soon!

 

[DieselCamel]

I believe most manufacturers recommend using the transom hook for tubing and only used the tower for wakeboarding or skiing..

 

[Julian]

I believe most manufacturers recommend using the transom hook for tubing and only used the tower for wakeboarding or skiing..

Yup....they do that to ensure they have an out if you get gel coat cracks from the stress on the tower...but towers are being made stronger and beefier all the time. I've not heard of a manufacturer saying "Our tower is so strong we don't limit towing of tubes from it like other manufacturers do"...but that would be a cool thing to say if it were true!!

 

[Murf'n'surf]

I always assumed they cautioned against tower tubing because of the possible height one might be able to get a tube up to while turning in the perfect scenario.

 

[sstegh]

I've always avoided towing tubes from the tower because if it "subbed" while I was turning around to pick up a fallen rider, the high tow point could tip the boat farther over than I would like.

 

[Julian]

I've always avoided towing tubes from the tower because if it "subbed" while I was turning around to pick up a fallen rider, the high tow point could tip the boat farther over than I would like.

I assumed that subs would effectively be eliminated by towing from the tower....

 

[sstegh]

I assumed that subs would effectively be eliminated by towing from the tower....

I haven't tried it to find out.

 

[itsdgm]

Towing from the tower on my year/model is imho safer for the passengers that towing from the lower tow point. It almost eliminates the the potential for slack to develop in the line during heavy whip/s turns that result in a whip lash effect. It virtually eliminates submarining and most chances of sucking up a rope too. Our tower is non foldable and much sturdier than some. I haven't taken a look at all of them but I wouldn't even consider towing a tube from the tower on the earlier version of folding towers that I've seen (08 212x).

I am not an expert. This is just my opinion not a reccomendation and results may vary

 

[jawsf16]

I don't go crazy fast towing tubes from the tower. The speed and moment arm created are the dangers to the tower. If you want to whip the tube hard, the tow point makes more sense.

I agree that tubes tend to sub more when towed from the tow point versus the tower.

 

[buckbuck]

Ahhh @itsdgm. I can attest that we have given our 08' 212X tower a thorough thrashing and it is holding up fine.

 

[itsdgm]

Ahhh @itsdgm. I can attest that we have given our 08' 212X tower a thorough thrashing and it is holding up fine.
View attachment 37137

can't argue with that

 

[jawsf16]

@buckbuck
That's bad data though because the bottom three feet of each of your tower tubes is filled with water from excessive sub moves. Totally changes the structural integrity of the tower!'

 

[Wayloncle]

I assumed that subs would effectively be eliminated by towing from the tower....

They aren't eliminated, I've had my Big Mable sub after the kids fell off and the tube was upside down while pulling from the tower. I just let off the throttles a little, it popped up and I went on with my turn.

 

[robbo3]

I usually tow from the tower because it seems like it's easier to get the tube loose on the water at a lower speed, thus a more wild ride at a safer speed. On the tow hook, I usually need to be mid to upper 20s to swing the tube back and forth, on the tower I can hover just around 20.

 

[Kane]

I really liked towing from the tower on our AR240. After we figured out that an extra 15 ' of rope stops the Jet wash it was all good from then on. My daughters are adrenaline junkys and they like lots of air and the tower makes that happen! When they load the tube at slow speeds it tends to sink but almost never under regular operation.

 

[Monterro]

@Kane How did you go about extending your rope. No one sells a 75' tow rope.

 

[Kane]

I just went to our local water sports shop and bought a line with several links in it. Took what I needed and attached it to our tube line. Very easy and with the sections it allows you to add what you need.
I'll snap a pic this weekend when I head up north.

 

[njmr2fan]

I used to tow from the tower and then someone on the lake told me that they saw a tower like mine get pulled sideways from a 3 person tube. I started pulling it from the tow point after. Yes its subbed a few times which scared the kids a little. Maybe this poll will change my habits back.

 

[CrankyGypsy]

low tow point absolutely sucks.

I just put together a new setup that I believe reduces stress on the tower. I tested it a couple weeks ago with a single rider on a 70" Jolt tube. this setup gets the rider out of the spray/turbulence while also reducing sudden jerks to the tube and tower:

- 60' Heavy Duty O'Brien Rope
- 10' Extension off an AirHead 4-rider Rope
- (2) 3' Kwik Tek Bungee Extensions
- AirHead Quick Connect

I connected the 10' to the tower.
connected the 60' to the tube's built-in quick connect. placed both bungees in parallel on the other end of the 60' (might only need one, but I like the added security). placed the quick connect on the other end of the bungees. connected the quick connect to the 10' coming off the tower.

I noticed far less sudden jerks to the tube (both driving and riding) and am very happy with this configuration. my driver was very inexperienced, but she did a great job and I think the bungees helped a lot. I also plan on buying another AirHead quick connect for my wakeboard rope to allow me to easily swap them without climbing over my bimini.

btw: I have also submerged an empty tube (off the tower) before and that is something I hope I never do again - it was like dropping a parachute in the water!