Inflatable tents and air awnings have been a real game-changer for family campers and caravan / motorhome owners alike. Like poled tents - air tents are not infallible, any brand of Air tent can encounter what we in the trade call "a bulging beam" in Severe Weather Conditions. Don't let this blog discourage you from purchasing an Air Tent or Awning - the truth is we replace less Air Tubes each year, than we do Tent Poles, suggesting Air is still more reliable than a poled tent. Most poled tents are damaged by windy set up conditions, or accidental error.

Bulging Tubes in any Inflatable Tent

This is a rare occurrence with inflatable tents or awnings, which is becoming more frequent as the weather changes and becomes more intense as a result of climate change. 

We typically only see this issue in extreme or severe weather conditions. Prior to 2018, I have only encountered this issue once, but with the last three British summers seeing Severe Weather Events such as Storm Francis and Storm Ellen, this is becoming more common, as people still camp in weather past 50mph, which is really, a little too strong for some of the entry level tents with thinner Air tubes.

Why Do Bulging Beams Happen?

This blog may help to understand how air tents are designed, and how inflatable tents work. Then you can begin to understand why you might be unfortunate enough to encounter a Bulging Beam. There's three parts to your inflatable tent design:

1. The Inflatable Tube
2. The Tube Sleeve (which the air tube is enclosed into)
3. The Tent Sleeve. - the tube and internal sleeve sit inside the Main Tent Sleeve.

Severe Wind:

99/100 - a tube beam bulging is usually the result of very strong wind, damaging the internal tent sleeve, forcing the beam to bulge out of its casing. 

1. The wind hits the tent, and forces the beam inwards. The beam caves back on itself, but bounces back up like normal.
2. The internal sleeve stitching is damaged - you may hear popping sounds - this is the sleeve stitching giving way.
3. The wind continues to buffer the tent, and eventually the tube begins to break through the tube casing.
4. If left untreated, the beam will explode through the tent sleeve, causing serious damage.

What are Brands Doing About It?

1. The only time bulging beams are an issue, is in severe weather, which a tent warranty will not cover.
2. Some brands, such as Outwell are strengthening the front and rear tubes, to make them thicker, and therefore stronger against poor weather. The front and rear tubes typically are the ones which take a battering from the elements.
3. Spare tubes are readily available from all manufacturers and retailers, and you can take a spare. The issue is the sleeve has become damaged - not the inflatable tube.
4. Talks are ongoing to provide spare tube and sleeves to help remedy this issue. However, this type of fault is not a warranty issue, but usually very strong weather damaging the product. So manufacturers do not see this as a manufacturing issue.

Is it Repairable?

The good news is this is an easy fix if the tube has not burst through the tent sleeve fabric, and the tent can be repaired as good as new! 

The bad news is that you either need a new tube and sleeve, or the sleeve will need to be professionally repaired in a Canvas Specialist. Different brands approach this differently. 

1. Vango will repair the sleeve and restitch it, and then replace the beam. The beam and sleeve can then be re-inserted into the Tent Sleeve.
2. Outwell have a more basic approach, and they will send you a new beam and internal tent sleeve, to replace the damaged one. 

What to do in the event of a Bulging Beam?

1. If you are not on the campsite, contact your retailer to organise a replacement or repair of the tube and sleeve. The retailer is the point of contact, not the manufacturer - they will redirect you to the retailer.
2. What to do if you are camping? Read on for more information.

How to Survive a Camping Trip with a Bulging Beam?

My primary advice, is if possible to go home, or seek to get a new tube and sleeve. You can make it through the camping trip, if emergency action is taken to resolve the issue. The best course is to have a replacement tube and sleeve shipped directly to you on the campsite.

However, if you want to tough it out, and see the trip out, here’s how to survive. This is a worst case scenario, and ideally if you can - seek assistance or safer shelter until the tent is repaired - I can’t be held liable for people who suffer blowouts in extreme weather. However, this usually will do the trick to get you through it safely.

1. Park your car in front of the tube which is taking the damage to block it from the wind - it is usually the front or rear beam - as these are subjected to more intense weather. Or re-pitch the tent to ensure its better positioned to face the wind.
2. Deflate some pressure out of the affected beam immediately.
3. Unzip the tent sleeve gently, to inspect the damage.
4. Then deflate the beam entirely, and remove it from the tent sleeve.
5. Locate the area where the tube sleeve stitching has been damaged - where the bulge is happening.
6. Use Gorilla Tape, to strap around the areas where the tube has come through the sleeve. Be careful put the tube back inside, and not to catch the internal beam with the tape, and try to get the sleeve back together and taped around the beam. This will help contain the internal tube to stop the bulge.
7. Before putting back into the tent, inflate the beam to see how the tape has solved the issue.
8. If all looks better and the tube has retained some of its normal structure, then re-insert the tube and sleeve into the tent sleeve.
9. When you get home, organise a replacement tube and sleeve to solve the issue as both wil need replacing.

What to do if the Beam Has Ruptured the Tent Fabric:

This really is the worst case scenario - and it is the end of the camping trip once this happens. The tube and sleeve - you can make do and repair using tape - but if the tent sleeve has been damaged - then it needs a professional canvas repair.

Related Articles:

It is worth noting, a bulging beam is not a result of hot weather and tube expansion - see blog below:

• Hot Weather and Inflatable Tents