Pump for Mule

[zbockett33]

I just got a Mule (http://muletransportsystems.com/) to transport my SUP, but it arrived with flat tires. My bike pump is too big to pump up the Mule tires. Any suggestions as to what kind of pump will work with the Mule?

Thanks.

[PonoBill]

Do you mean you have the presta valves instead of the fat Schraeder valves? Most bike pumps can convert to either, you unscrew the nose of the pump, reverse the rubber sleeve inside the pump nose, and reverse the plastic dimple piece that pushes in the inner valve of the scraeder valve.

here's a link: http://www.matthewsbikes.com/techcorner/prestavalve.htm

[zbockett33]

No, it's a Shraeder valve. The issue is that there's not enough room to fit my bike pump over the valve since the tires are so small. Thanks though.

[blueplanetsurf]

I have the same issue with off road electric skateboard tires, the head on most pumps is too big to fit in the small hub.  You can try to purchase a bike pump with tube and a compact head or use a air compressor hose with valve attachment or just take it to a gas station with air compressor hose.

[southwesterly]

I even had a hard time trying to fill the Mule tires at the gas station.
I think it is a design flaw.

[SoCalSupper]

same thing happened to me-so i got a custom 12# Carbon Nectar-had Gary add two leash plugs-got some nice kevlar boat string and now carry my board with my paddle in the loops-easy peasy japanesey!-honestly the Mule is a pain-the strap kept slipping-my board nose would rub against the tires-but it is still a good product for the transport of larger boards, especailly if you get the bike attachement and you are really hucking your board a long way.

[zbockett33]

I emailed the Mule dude. We'll see what he has to say for himself. So far, no luck in finding a compact head pump. Any leads would be greatly appreciated.

[anotherncbeachbum]

How about an air valve extension?  I've also seen valves that flair out from the base so you can fill them easier.

I know your pain, I have a wheel barrow that has a valve so close to the rim that I'm not sure how they filled it up. :\

[PonoBill]

Ah, now I know what you mean. What you want is a reversed head air chuck. Most big box hardware stores have them. Look for a air chuck with a double end on the end of a rigid tube. the reversed side will fit. I have two Mules, and that's how I fill the tires.

You can also find a compact head hand pump--they have a remote lever to clamp the head on the valve. There's a lot of wheels that are hard to get a connector on--kids bikes, wheelbarrows, my mountain skateboard. the reverse head chuck works on all the ones I have.

[blueplanetsurf]

Yes, reverse chuck like this one will work (I just ordered one of these myself):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220786738215#ht_500wt_956

[PonoBill]

Yup. you can get just the chuck part (the metal tube) for a couple of bucks. Standard gear for any mechanic. I probably have a dozen of them scattered around.