Camelback woes

“I have a winter tube for my camelback and need to attach it for a 24 hour deal this weekend. (mandatory gear) My problem...

I can't get the stinkin original golldammed tube off the camelback. If you pull it, it gets tighter of course. physics and all but if I try to push it off, it's too tight.

Has anyone made this conversion with success? Heeeellllllllpppppp!”

“I haven't had to do the conversion, but I have removed the tube from camelbaks. I'd swear I just pulled it off, but maybe not.”

“are you pulling or twisting and pulling? Do you want to keep the original tubing?”

“1. Slit the tube over the connector, cut the quarter inch off the end of the tube and reconnect...

2. Place near boiling water in the camelbak to heat the tube and soften it, THEN push it off the connector.
last edited: 2/15/05 1:06:28 PM”

“Currahee I tried twisting to no avail. That muddafuggin tube is like seared on.

I'd like to keep the original tubing but at this point will trash it if I need to. You mean slit the end? I could actually then cut the slit end off and reuse it couldn't I?”

“Ooooh boiling waaaater. I'll try that ST and if it doesn't work will have to cut it.

Thanks, that's what I like about TT. A gear answer in moments

Down the toilet, hummmmmph!”

“yeah, try the hot water and soap thing - like getting a too tight ring off...”

“Thanks, that's what I like about TT. A gear answer in moments
dhutch1
2:04:09 PM
2/15/05

omigawd, I have to take back my posts - I can't let ENS think I post to gear threads!
LOL!”

“Super Troll to the rescue.”

“Any thought on how to keep the tube on? The tube on mine will not stay on if a little bit of pressure is applied to the bladder. I stopped hiking with it because every hike I’ve done with it I end up loosing at least 2L of water.”

“Band clamp”

“Oh, band *clamp*.



For a minute I thought we were going to hear a disturbing story.”

“Again, cut a 1/2 inch section from the end of the tube...then press it back on, gives a tighter fit...”

“OK, so I have attached the new thermal tube. lz I've never had problems with the original tubing leaking. I may try that band clamp thing on the replacement just in case. Do you use a zip tie ST?”

“dhutch--where are you hiking this weekend?

Thinkbubelz & I tried to go snowshoeing with Tarabull and using our platypus without any insulation on the hose... LOL... by the end of the 2-3 hours we were out, we couldn't get any water at all (tube froze!) Do those insulators really work?”

“Never had a need to put a tie on the tube on mine, even though I HAVE pulled the tube loose at one time. I just cut the end of the tube as I suggested to LZ and pushed it back on...tighter fit, and no further problems.

As for the insulating cover for the tube, it works for mine, but I'm located further south...”

“I had an insulator but took it off because it wasn't long enuff to cover the entire tube. You'll need to get one that covers the bite valve or it will still freeze.”

“When using the thermal tube covers, I would make sure to blow the water out of the tube and back into the bladder. If you don't the tube will freeze solid and you won't be able to drink any water. I've seen this happen many times when temperatures were 10*F or less.”

“zac - if you're gonna blow the water back into the bladder, why bother with the insulators?

Also, keep in mind that if you do the blow thing, you have to make sure to clean the camelback later, as you are also blowing back bacteria. I clean mine anyway, but the "care and feeding" instructions say it's not necessary if you don't do the blow thing.”

“With my old insulator, I did find that although the bite valve would freeze, I could unthaw it by holding it in my mouth.

For the past few years, I've just kept the bladder down my shirt and nothing freezes.”

““zac - if you're gonna blow the water back into the bladder, why bother with the insulators?
twigeater
9:30:56 AM
2/16/05

Exactly. I don't use my water bladder in the winter anyway. Once the temperatures get to be below freezing, I switch over to water bottles.”

“My insulated tube has a whole neoprene valve cover thingy. Good thing, it will be 16 at night.

Pink, not hiking. 24 HOTM (hours on the move) an adventure racing event. Indiana. It's not an actual race, but a good training event simulating a 24 hour race. Paddling, Biking, Climbing (ooooh lots of climbing) Trekking and Orienteering. All by map and compass. Going to practice navigating with one of my teammates. Great fun for us crazies.

You've all been so much help. THANK YOU! May you're camelbacks be perpetually unfrozen!”

“I just fould a slit in my bladder, any ideas how to repair it, or should I just replace it?”

“replace, it has a lifetime guarantee anyway.”

“Well, I put some duct tape on it and it's holding. I'll replace it, but that doesn't help me tomorrow.”

“where'd ya buy it?”