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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
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    1,382

    Inflatable hot tubs

    A friend of mine bought an inflatable hot tub and he loves it, says he couldn't recommend it more. They seem to cost around $400 which is a huge cost saver compared to an actual hot tub. Maybe a good option for us who aren't able to afford an actual hot tub. Also is semi-mobile if you're a renter. Anyone have experience with these?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Hell Track
    Posts
    13,841
    When an above ground pool is just too damn classy.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    The Bull City
    Posts
    14,003
    I'm pretty sure our last small hot tub cost about $1,100. It lasted about 10 years but went through three pump/heat units in that span. Heck, the heat/pump unit was over $300. So, I guess it's cool to get a $400 hot tub that probably will last 3 years instead of paying $1,200 for a better one that lasts 10 with some upkeep? Meh, IDK..
    Go that way really REALLY fast. If something gets in your way, TURN!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    3,269
    I have one I got for almost nothing and it's functional at best without a few mods. If outside temp is below 65/70 good luck getting it to heat up beyond 101/102. HOWEVER if you are a true ghetto hack specialist you can put a inline propane water heater paired with a RV water pump and fire it up as hot as you want. It's the portability that I like, mine only gets used in the winter.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    on the banks of Fish Creek
    Posts
    7,512
    2 words... human stew.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2019
    Location
    Bay Area
    Posts
    751
    For around $30 you can make a "hillbilly hot tub" also. Use a cheap inflatable kiddie pool and pump water through a copper coil sitting in a bonfire. Someone has to tend to the fire, but did this on a grand canyon river trip a couple of years ago and it worked pretty well until our pool blew away.

    Sent from my Pixel XL using TGR Forums mobile app

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Posts
    190
    Quote Originally Posted by fatnslow View Post
    I have one I got for almost nothing and it's functional at best without a few mods. If outside temp is below 65/70 good luck getting it to heat up beyond 101/102. HOWEVER if you are a true ghetto hack specialist you can put a inline propane water heater paired with a RV water pump and fire it up as hot as you want. It's the portability that I like, mine only gets used in the winter.
    Additional confirmation on temperature issues, my brother deflates his in the winter as it just doesn’t get hot.
    Quote Originally Posted by TahoeJ View Post
    Training carts are for jongs. I remember back when this forum had legit bull-fighters and not a bunch of posers.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Posts
    1,899
    Quote Originally Posted by toast2266 View Post
    When an above ground pool is just too damn classy.
    Why not just dig a hole in the backyard in suitable dimensions and shape, backfill,shape/compact soil just right to support the contours of a reclined human body, drop a big piece of greenhouse poly into it, fill it with hot water through a hose connected to a faucet in the house, leave it on slow hot trickle, submerge body and recline in custom molded comfort? Coupla boxed wine inflated bladders for pillows, a transverse plywood sheet to support the laptop for netflix watching. To drain; garden hose as a siphon to lower elevation part of the yard. When drained, scrub the poly with bleach/water mix and rinse it. Drape over top of the hole, throw a big plywood sheet on it and weigh it down to seal it so cats don't use the hole as a litterbox.
    Master of mediocrity.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    here and there
    Posts
    18,583
    Quote Originally Posted by booner View Post

    She's a really nice girl

    Attachment 301175

    PM Booner
    watch out for snakes

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Posts
    1,382
    Haha yes I understand it's a little ghetto but this ski bum isn't made of money and semi-portable would be ideal. Anyone have experience with new ones?

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    3,269
    I have one of these and it works just fine as long as you don't need it to heat up much. You can add one of these driven by a pump and timer to heat the thing up pretty easily.

    https://www.amazon.com/Intex-PureSpa.../dp/B00HHO0IEU

    https://www.amazon.com/VEVOR-Stainle...NrPXRydWU&th=1

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    here and there
    Posts
    18,583
    To be honest I looked at one of these for my condo but decided against it as it does not compare to my Calspa.

    The other issue is they are only recommended to be used out side above 50F. In winter with below freezing temps it would be required to have an external heater such as the outdoor shower heater above.
    watch out for snakes

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Posts
    1,382
    Just talked with the friend who "couldn't recommend it more" and he said he had just brought it to the dump hahah, motor went out is what he said. Sounds like it lasted about a year and half. Pretty spendy at that rate

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    livin the dream
    Posts
    5,761
    A good friend of mine had one of those $400 inflatable Coleman hot tubs. Barely fit 2 people. Lasted maybe 18mos of weekly use before it got a small leak. Spent more than $400 on electricity and chemicals.

    They work. They are cheap. A solution for temporary use, if your renting, or if you want to try out hot tub ownership.

    Better deal for cheap long term use would be to buy one of the many old used tubs you can find on local Craigslist; then deep clean and fix whatever is broken.


    Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums
    Best Skier on the Mountain
    Self-Certified
    1992 - 2012
    Squaw Valley, USA

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    here and there
    Posts
    18,583
    get wot u pay four
    watch out for snakes

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Behind the Zion Curtain
    Posts
    4,875
    I bought a coleman saluspa and had it for two years. Loved it while it worked, had no problem keeping 104 degrees while in my unheated garage. There are no jets and the spa action is provided by bubbles only. Eventually the pump’s low flow warnings came sooner and sooner until it wouldn’t turn on at all. The pump is finicky and I found myself changing the filters rather frequently before it shit the bed.

    I recently replaced it with a rotomolded aquarest 5 person tub. Digging the real tub a lot more than the inflatable...

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    10,901
    Just bought this sumbitch.


    https://www.amazon.com/Bestway-54190...5515481&sr=8-5

    Was shopping for other Xmas shit and impulse bought it. Arrives Monday but don’t plan on using it until late spring.

    It will class up the yard, next to my 12ft Intex above ground pool.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Posts
    1,382
    Ended up buying one of the cheap inflatable Coleman hot tubs. Only need it to last a year so should do the trick.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Posts
    1,382
    What do people use for chemicals? There's a thousand different kits on Amazon

    Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    10,901
    Quote Originally Posted by brundo View Post
    What do people use for chemicals? There's a thousand different kits on Amazon

    Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
    https://www.amazon.com/HydroTools-Sw.../dp/B000P5A4R4

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    10,901
    Click image for larger version. 

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    Got mine the other day, set it up in the garage to make sure it works because I only have until 1/31 to return it.

    So far so good. Water from the hose was 52 degrees, took about 28 hours to get up to 100 degrees and caps at 104. Heats about 1.5ish degrees per hour.

    Daughter loved it and my back feels better.

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Ventura Highway in the Sunshine
    Posts
    22,431
    Quote Originally Posted by brundo View Post
    What do people use for chemicals? There's a thousand different kits on Amazon

    Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
    Lots of tutorials on the web on how to cook meth in a bath tub. I assume it's the same for an inflatable hot tub.

    I agree it is a constitutional right for Americans to be assholes...its just too bad that so many take the opportunity...
    iscariot

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    here and there
    Posts
    18,583
    I kind of like the fake wood look.
    watch out for snakes

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Can/USA
    Posts
    1,686
    Was just going to say the fake wood is wicked....


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  25. #25
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    10,901
    Hell yea. That there’s the Salu-Spa Helsinki. Beautiful piece of Chinese craftsmanship.

    53% off on Amazon right now.

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