We have purchased probably a dozen of these tubes over the last many years. Kids have loved them in the water. The used to make very good products, and to stand behind them. The only other time we have had a defective product issue several years ago they quickly responded and replaced it. BUT BOTH THE QUALITY AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT HAS CHANGED FOR THE WORSE, AND THEY HAVE LOST A GOOD CUSTOMERS BECAUSE OF IT.
Over the last few years they have replaced the Boston valve using a screw-on cap with a two-piece connection that incorporated the Boston valve. While seemingly a good idea, it makes separating the Boston valve to inflate much harder.
EVEN WORSE, THIS HAS LED TO A PRODUCT DEFECT THAT AIRHEAD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE. We had only used our tube a couple of time when it developed a significant leak around the valve stem, where due to shoddy design and/or workmanship the valve stem seam separate along nearly half of the neck, making the $180 product unusable.
Any engineer would know that this should not happen, particularly after just a few uses, and is clearly due to a design and/or manufacturing defect as it split and separated uniformly around the neck; it did not tear unevenly as would be expected if the product was misused. And it certainly was not misused. We have been filling these tubes exactly the same way hundreds of time previously without ever encountering this issue. Apparently Airhead does not employ any engineers, and just resells Chinese products, because when confronted with the facts and asked to replace the new, defective tube, and after weeks delay in response, Airhead denied any responsibility and blamed the customer:
“So looking at the photos of the damage in question from the area where you pointed out the damage isn’t a manufacture defect. That damage is usually caused from the valve area being pulled with too much force. If this was a manufacture defect you may have noticed when you first inflated the tube.”
Whether a design defect (which I tend to believe) or a bad product manufacture in the one we ordered, we are left with a piece of junk and a commitment to (1) help others avoid Airhead's poor quality products and horrible customer support and (2) look for and support Airhead's competitors. STAY AWAY FROM AIRHEAD THE COMPANY AND ITS PRODUCTS AT ALL COSTS!
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From the manufacturer
G-Force 2
G-Force 2 is a wild ride for up to 2 thrill-seekers! Defy centrifugal force with G-Force’s topside stabilizer fins. The 4 deluxe nylon-wrapped handles with neoprene knuckle guards provide a sure and comfortable grip. G-Force 2 has a tough heavy gauge virgin PVC bladder, fully covered with a durable double-stitched nylon cover. G-Force is equipped with a Speed Safety Valve and a Kwik-Connect for quick and easy inflating, deflating and rope hook-ups. 64˝ x 60˝ (deflated).
- 1-2 rider tube for boating & watersports
- Kwik-Connect - Airhead's patented Kwik-Connect for quick and easy rope connection
- Fully Covered - Heavy-duty full nylon cover
- Bolster Fins - Keeps riders secure while tubing
- Padded Handles - Non-slip cushioned handles providing comfort and stability
Airhead Towables
Airhead towables are guaranteed to give your family an unforgettable day on the water. Our tubes range from classic deck and cockpit style tubes, to unique, one-of-a-kind shapes and designs. Looking to tow lots of people? We offer one to six rider options so that everyone can join in on the fun. Most tubes are constructed with tough 840 denier nylon covers, heavy gauge PVC bladders, and neoprene handles to create lasting memories for seasons to come.
KWIK-CONNECT
FULLY COVERED
BOLSTER FIN
PADDED HANDLES
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airhead G-Force 2 | 1-2 Rider Towable Tube for Boating | Airhead Mach 2 | 1-2 Rider Towable Tube for Boating | Airhead Blast | 2 Rider Towable Tube for Boating | Airhead Slash II | 1-2 Rider Towable Tube for Boating | Airhead Double Dog | 1-2 Rider Towable Tube for Boating | SPORTSSTUFF Towable Booster Tube | |
| Rider | 1-2 Riders | 1-2 Riders | 1-2 Riders | 1-2 Riders | 1-2 Riders | 1-4 Riders |
| Kwik Connect | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Speed Safety Valve | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Tow Points | ✓ | |||||
| Boosterball Compatible | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Customer Questions & Answers
Customer reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2020
Over the last few years they have replaced the Boston valve using a screw-on cap with a two-piece connection that incorporated the Boston valve. While seemingly a good idea, it makes separating the Boston valve to inflate much harder.
EVEN WORSE, THIS HAS LED TO A PRODUCT DEFECT THAT AIRHEAD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE. We had only used our tube a couple of time when it developed a significant leak around the valve stem, where due to shoddy design and/or workmanship the valve stem seam separate along nearly half of the neck, making the $180 product unusable.
Any engineer would know that this should not happen, particularly after just a few uses, and is clearly due to a design and/or manufacturing defect as it split and separated uniformly around the neck; it did not tear unevenly as would be expected if the product was misused. And it certainly was not misused. We have been filling these tubes exactly the same way hundreds of time previously without ever encountering this issue. Apparently Airhead does not employ any engineers, and just resells Chinese products, because when confronted with the facts and asked to replace the new, defective tube, and after weeks delay in response, Airhead denied any responsibility and blamed the customer:
“So looking at the photos of the damage in question from the area where you pointed out the damage isn’t a manufacture defect. That damage is usually caused from the valve area being pulled with too much force. If this was a manufacture defect you may have noticed when you first inflated the tube.”
Whether a design defect (which I tend to believe) or a bad product manufacture in the one we ordered, we are left with a piece of junk and a commitment to (1) help others avoid Airhead's poor quality products and horrible customer support and (2) look for and support Airhead's competitors. STAY AWAY FROM AIRHEAD THE COMPANY AND ITS PRODUCTS AT ALL COSTS!
Style: 1-3 RiderVerified Purchase
Poor product quality and even worse customer support
By David Lowe on June 11, 2020
We have purchased probably a dozen of these tubes over the last many years. Kids have loved them in the water. The used to make very good products, and to stand behind them. The only other time we have had a defective product issue several years ago they quickly responded and replaced it. BUT BOTH THE QUALITY AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT HAS CHANGED FOR THE WORSE, AND THEY HAVE LOST A GOOD CUSTOMERS BECAUSE OF IT.By David Lowe on June 11, 2020
Over the last few years they have replaced the Boston valve using a screw-on cap with a two-piece connection that incorporated the Boston valve. While seemingly a good idea, it makes separating the Boston valve to inflate much harder.
EVEN WORSE, THIS HAS LED TO A PRODUCT DEFECT THAT AIRHEAD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE. We had only used our tube a couple of time when it developed a significant leak around the valve stem, where due to shoddy design and/or workmanship the valve stem seam separate along nearly half of the neck, making the $180 product unusable.
Any engineer would know that this should not happen, particularly after just a few uses, and is clearly due to a design and/or manufacturing defect as it split and separated uniformly around the neck; it did not tear unevenly as would be expected if the product was misused. And it certainly was not misused. We have been filling these tubes exactly the same way hundreds of time previously without ever encountering this issue. Apparently Airhead does not employ any engineers, and just resells Chinese products, because when confronted with the facts and asked to replace the new, defective tube, and after weeks delay in response, Airhead denied any responsibility and blamed the customer:
“So looking at the photos of the damage in question from the area where you pointed out the damage isn’t a manufacture defect. That damage is usually caused from the valve area being pulled with too much force. If this was a manufacture defect you may have noticed when you first inflated the tube.”
Whether a design defect (which I tend to believe) or a bad product manufacture in the one we ordered, we are left with a piece of junk and a commitment to (1) help others avoid Airhead's poor quality products and horrible customer support and (2) look for and support Airhead's competitors. STAY AWAY FROM AIRHEAD THE COMPANY AND ITS PRODUCTS AT ALL COSTS!
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2016
2017 update: Airhead did send me a new one, so I'm happy.
Style: 1-3 RiderVerified Purchase
I think we got a lemon......
By jwalenta on August 12, 2016
99.9% of the reviews I write on Amazon are positive, and I've written many. We did buy this tube from Amazon, and after an hour of use the cover ripped right down the middle. Was not going fast, 150 pound person riding, and the cover just split wide open. Contacted the mfg for a warranty claim and have received no response after several days. I know Airhead makes good products, as we had another one and used it for years without any issues. This one was a lemon. Had they replied to my warranty claim I would have written a better review. At the end of the day, summer in Michigan only lasts so long, so I just ordered another one. We'll see how that one goes............By jwalenta on August 12, 2016
2017 update: Airhead did send me a new one, so I'm happy.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2020
Style: 1-3 RiderVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2020
The tube itself is comfortable for the rider and has neoprene in the right places. The rider has to know to pull up on the tube/sit back on their knees to keep the tube from submarining when taking off or towing at low speeds, but that is easy. They are fairly easy to get outside of the wake and whip around, but the classic O'Brien Le Tube moves around more easily if comparing the two. I realize the two tubes are different, but for those of us who pulled the classic O'briens back in the day it is a useful reference. The tubes are not unruly to carry and store well as well because of the low profile. The canvas holds up - we don't have any torn handles or rips when the tubes fail because of holes - it is always the inflatable portion.
For adults, these are more difficult than the O'Brien Le Tubes to stay on when ripping around a turn at a high speed. I also feel they drag a lot more and kind of "catch" the water when you are trying to hustle across the wake. They do get good air when jumping the wake or hit a nice set of rollers. The low profile at the back coupled with the handles make it super easy for any rider to get back on the tube. The old school O'briens sit very high and are difficult for some riders to climb back on.
I'm likely going to order a couple HO tubes and see how those hold up for the balance of this season. I'm running a HO EX03 chariot style with great success. I miss the days of getting many, many seasons out of a tube! Just need to reset expectations I suppose.
Update: I put about 20 more hours on the second tube that didn't have holes at the time of the 1st review and am now patching it as well. Same place on this second tube. It's a problem because the kids prefer these tubes over many others but they just don't last with heavy use.
Last update. Purchased a third one and it lasted 15 hours before the seam split. Pic is attached. I have never seen anything like this over the years. The company really misses the mark on these.
My HO, my 16 year old classic O'Brien Le Tubes, and the new O'Brien screamers are all still killing it.
Style: 1-2 RiderVerified Purchase
Do I expect too much with newer generations of tubes?
By Andrea on August 24, 2020
I am a lifetime boater and have been pulling tube since the days of the giant yellow tubes that had a harness and not a cover and the original O'Briens. Even with 30+ years of experience I just can't get this generation of Airheads to last. I pull two of the blue 1-2 rider tubes at a time, putting about 80-100 hours a season on the tubes. I am currently patching two holes in one of the tubes I purchased in June. Both holes are at the back of the tube, just under the fins that keep the rider neatly on the tube. I do not store them in the sun, we don't allow anyone on them while they are out of the water, and we do not deflate and re-inflate with use. We don't allow them to be around sand either. They are used every weekend, but maybe that is too heavy for this generation of tubes? My O'Brien's last for years, but I'm struggling with these.By Andrea on August 24, 2020
The tube itself is comfortable for the rider and has neoprene in the right places. The rider has to know to pull up on the tube/sit back on their knees to keep the tube from submarining when taking off or towing at low speeds, but that is easy. They are fairly easy to get outside of the wake and whip around, but the classic O'Brien Le Tube moves around more easily if comparing the two. I realize the two tubes are different, but for those of us who pulled the classic O'briens back in the day it is a useful reference. The tubes are not unruly to carry and store well as well because of the low profile. The canvas holds up - we don't have any torn handles or rips when the tubes fail because of holes - it is always the inflatable portion.
For adults, these are more difficult than the O'Brien Le Tubes to stay on when ripping around a turn at a high speed. I also feel they drag a lot more and kind of "catch" the water when you are trying to hustle across the wake. They do get good air when jumping the wake or hit a nice set of rollers. The low profile at the back coupled with the handles make it super easy for any rider to get back on the tube. The old school O'briens sit very high and are difficult for some riders to climb back on.
I'm likely going to order a couple HO tubes and see how those hold up for the balance of this season. I'm running a HO EX03 chariot style with great success. I miss the days of getting many, many seasons out of a tube! Just need to reset expectations I suppose.
Update: I put about 20 more hours on the second tube that didn't have holes at the time of the 1st review and am now patching it as well. Same place on this second tube. It's a problem because the kids prefer these tubes over many others but they just don't last with heavy use.
Last update. Purchased a third one and it lasted 15 hours before the seam split. Pic is attached. I have never seen anything like this over the years. The company really misses the mark on these.
My HO, my 16 year old classic O'Brien Le Tubes, and the new O'Brien screamers are all still killing it.
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
shana
Solid product
Reviewed in Canada on July 20, 2020Style: 1-3 RiderVerified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Federal Tax not included in price
Reviewed in Canada on July 22, 2020Style: 1-3 RiderVerified Purchase
Marco M
Resistente
Reviewed in Mexico on May 6, 2020Style: 1-3 RiderVerified Purchase
D
Defective product
Reviewed in Canada on October 7, 2021Style: 1-3 RiderVerified Purchase
Defective product
Reviewed in Canada on October 7, 2021
2 rusty looking holes beside each other under the nylon cover. No holes in cover which means holes were there before it was put in cover at factory. Kids were so disappointed it tuned hole long weekend. Picture was taken after I tried to patch it. No patch came with product. Patch did not hold ruined 2 weekends now.
Reviewed in Canada on October 7, 2021
Images in this review
carolina
bien
Reviewed in Mexico on April 9, 2019Style: 1-3 RiderVerified Purchase
