Air mattress hole

[danny28]

Anyone ever patched an air mattress and had it last? We tried patching one over the summer and when we got the mattress out last night to blow it up (kids wanted to use it in the house) the darn patch did not stay tight. Air was still seeping out of it. What gives?

[oldsarge]

I've been called many thing, but never that! Sounds like you may need to prep the area better before applying the adhesive. Problem with patches on those things is that when you roll up the air mattress, it applies a lot of stress to the patch . it seems like they always want to pull loose. I never had any real luck fixing them.

[Grandpa]

Heard tell Thermarest will fix them for you if you send them in but don't know the details and it's still hearsay. Anybody else heard this?

[Susie]

The patching issue is one reason I am not a big fan of air mattresses. They always seem to go flat at the most inopportune time too. I'd consider just replacing it.

[wvbreamfisherman]

I've not had much luck with patching, myself. I'd lean toward replacement as well.

[DylanT]

Prep. Prep. Prep. And hope.

[ejdixon]

I agree with Susie and wvbreamfisherman. Patching up an air mattress can be quite tricky. Aside from the rolling, all that bouncing around by the kids and even just lying down can easily make the patch ineffective. It's a great way to fix it while you're camping. But in the long run, it's going to save you a lot of headaches if you'll just replace it.

[pastywhite]

I have successfully patched a Thermarest Trail pad. It was the kids' pad though so there hasn't been much weight on it. Plus, the holes were in a spot that made it easier to patch.

[Grandpa]

If you are not comfortable patching your own thermarest, you can send it in and they will do it.

Cascade Designs, Inc.

I have patched a couple of cheap pads with success and others have broken back open. If the hole is out in a flat area, I have had success but if it is a seam or border, forget it.