Help: Aerobed has tiny air leak, would Fix-A-Flat repair it?
 

OK, several years ago purchased an aerobed air mattress to use for overnight guests. The bed has worked well until a few days ago, it developed a slow leak. I've tried to locate the leak using only my eyes and ears but cannot find it. Several web sites suggest spraying water mixed with small amount of dish detergent to locate the air leaks.

Or, take it outside, place it on a table and spray it with a garden hose to locate the leak. Another web site says give up, over time the leak will resurface again.
I thought of another idea. I wonder if Fix-A-Flat inserted into the bed where the air pump inlet is might repair the air mattress?

https://www.amazon.com/Fix-A-Flat-11-Llll-Lllll/dp/B01LWQMUOK/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=flat+tire+sealant&qid=1604957642&sr=8-4

Here is the website that says repairs will fail within ten months; however it lists several sealants that may work:

https://www.bestairmattressguide.com/repair-kit/6-steps-find-leak-air-bed/

I figure if I try Fix-A-Flat and it doesn't work, oh well, nothing was going to work anyway. The old "you never know if you never try" idea.....

I would wonder how chemically inert fix-a-flat is. Will it patch a hole in the material in question, or will it create one?

I dunno, I have very little money tied up in this aerobed so I'm thinking of giving fix-a-flat a go. If for some reason it ruins the bed, no big deal.

How fast of a leak?

I would use a smoke machine if I were so inclined or fill it with water but that would be hard to dry out.

It is a slow leak; I found a youtube video yesterday that showed how to use flex tape (sold on television, walmart, ace hardware, etc) being used to seal a leak. I just happened to have a roll of it so I tried it out.

I had located a leak on one spot of the bed. The video states you have to let all the air out of the bed before using the flex tape so I did. I cut the flex tape and pressed it over the leaking area. After airing the bed up, it looked as though air bubbles were forming under the flex tape so I used another strip of tape and placed it crossway to the other strip of tape.

The bed still leaks. It is my opinion that many of these portable temporary less expensive blow up beds are not manufactured to last. I've only pulled this bed out and used it TWICE. I do have a Sleep Comfort mattress (a more expensive permanent type bed) and have had it for over 25 years and it has NEVER LEAKED.

fix a flat is good for rubber tires, A bed is probably another material, and would be like a sidewall leak. They do make a water patch, and a vinyl pond patching would probably work to.

wife and I tent camp 7+ times per year - we sleep on an air mattress. Outdoors/tents are slightly harder use than in a house.

We have learned to just plan to replace them every year or so. the build quality is low and so is the price.


-John

Then you'll have a permanent aero bed.

As I get older I find my patience and tolerance level for things that aren't built to last gets lower and lower. I want an air bed I don't have to arm wrestle to make it work properly; so far only Sleep Comfort air beds have met that requirement. That said, a Sleep Comfort mattress may not be the best bed to use when camping.

Back when I was growing up, our family went camping quite a bit. We used simple cots which worked well and we didn't have to worry about air leaks.

I bought a pop up years ago to replace the majority of general tent campsite camping. It’s the best. 2 level queen beds, heater, power, stove sink and best of all I just keep everything packed in the camper. I hate packing and unpacking everything for the family. Of course still gotta keep the backpacking camp equipment for those unique trips.

I believe you have the right idea. Pop-ups are easy to tow and meet the needs of most campers quite easily.

Sorry to turn this into a camping thread

(I really am curious if the fix-a-flat works)

We have 4 children, aged 6-14. We barely fit all the people in a minivan...

We have built up enough stuff that we now fill a 5x8 enclosed trailer with stuff

(granted - 1/3rd of that is just bicycles), and another 1/3rd is tables, chairs, sleeping bags and stuff that a camper would 'replace')

I would LOVE a popup that fits our stuff - It doesnt even need to sleep 6 - some kids can still rock a tent - just hold enough things to not haul the 5x8 behind our Odyssey...
...Which I took to the scales last year - we are getting close to the weight ratings of the Odyssey.

I wouldn't mind a Suburban or Expedition (friends with 4 kids have one, they love it...) but wife doesnt want to drive a truck, and I'd need a "cheap" one (getting hard to find)



Id be worried that if you used fix-a-flat on an airbed, you'd still need to inflate it most of the way first -not sure the can has enough volume to fill a bed.

-John

the aerobed is going to the trash dump. As I said, in my old age, I have less patience for products that do not perform as advertised. The nice thing about a pop-up camper is you get a complete ready-to-go camping experience, no muss no fuss. Plus, in most places you can easily store it on your driveway when not in use. And, it cost a LOT less to own and operate than a motor home. I constantly see very nice Class A motorhomes SITING and collecting cob webs sitting on people's drive ways. What a waste.

I say if you are considering a motorhome it is best to rent one BEFORE plunking down MAJOR coin for one. Owning one can quickly turn into a MAJOR money pit. That is why I believe for most people, the idea of a camper trailer is ideal.

Costco has nice air mattresses for cheap. Even buying one every year wouldn’t cost much.

My parents have a big diesel pusher bus. The majority of the huge expenses are solely for the engine, drivetrain, insurance/registration/smog. It cost like $300 for a diy oil change. I think I’d rather just stick with pulling a trailer with a truck

We had class A in my family; it took around $800 - $1000 just to fill up with diesel at the pump. About 3- 4 miles per gallon. You can stay at five star hotels for less money.