Favorite Brand of Tunnels for Outdoors?

[heathereck]

The place I used to train at had one tunnel in particular that I used to avoid because I saw dogs slipping in it more than other tunnels they had.  (It was actually new at the time and very smooth on the inside.) For outdoor use, I'm curious what brand of tunnel NADAC folks prefer.  I think I saw some new Schauenburg tunnels in some pics this past weekend at a trial and I know a few of my friends like those and they are great.  With all of the new tunnels appearing on the market with different claims about "grip" I'm curious if one brand is getting used more outdoors. Please share your favorites for outdoor use in terms of both durability and safety. Thanks in advance!

[Karl Schulzki]

I have used Schauenburg and NTI standard tunnels and NTI Tuff tunnels.   In order of traction 1) NTI tuff, 2) Schauenburg,
3)NTI standard.   The NTI standards need to be replaced after 5 years of heavy use.  The Schauenburgs are in better shape.  The NTI tuff are only a couple of years old so can't testify on that one yet.  The downside is the Tuff tunnels are expensive.  These tunnels are outside from May through October used in 8 classes in 4 days every week plus a couple of trials

I'll be ordering Schauenburgs for my next replacement tunnel.

Karl

[Linda W. Anderson]

I have used Schauenburg and NTI standard tunnels and NTI Tuff tunnels.   In order of traction 1) NTI tuff, 2) Schauenburg,
3)NTI standard.   The NTI standards need to be replaced after 5 years of heavy use.  The Schauenburgs are in better shape.  The NTI tuff are only a couple of years old so can't testify on that one yet.  The downside is the Tuff tunnels are expensive.  These tunnels are outside from May through October used in 8 classes in 4 days every week plus a couple of trials

I'll be ordering Schauenburgs for my next replacement tunnel.

Karl

One other factor in deciding which tunnels to buy - weight.  Our club has 2 "tuff tunnels" and while they are great, they weight half again as much as the regular tunnels.  If your course builder is not a man, you will want to take this into consideration.
Linda

[Edraith]

One other factor in deciding which tunnels to buy - weight.  Our club has 2 "tuff tunnels" and while they are great, they weight half again as much as the regular tunnels.  If your course builder is not a man, you will want to take this into consideration.
Linda

What does being a man have to do with anything? Plenty of strong people in the world who are not male. Plenty who identify as male and who are not strong. The last sentence isn't needed at all

[knittingdog]

While we are talking about tunnels - anyone have suggestions for tunnel bags that hold up outside long term?  The Clip and Go I have are dry rotted from the sun.

Robin

[Sara Langston]

What about accuracy in length of tunnels??  My club has gotten some tunnels that were supposed to be 20' that were actually more like 18'.  Also, some 15' tunnels that were more like 12'.  Which companies are more accurate with their measurements?

Sara

[Marcy Matties]

What about accuracy in length of tunnels??  My club has gotten some tunnels that were supposed to be 20' that were actually more like 18'.  Also, some 15' tunnels that were more like 12'.  Which companies are more accurate with their measurements?

Sara

From what I have heard (and seen) - NONE of them 😟

[Amy McGovern]

While we are talking about tunnels - anyone have suggestions for tunnel bags that hold up outside long term?  The Clip and Go I have are dry rotted from the sun.

Robin

I'm using waterproof bags from walmart.  Way cheaper and holding up well so far.  I store them in bins though so they are not sun exposed except when in use.  But I can make 8-10 of them for the same price as a single pair of clip & go....

[David Tharle]

If your course builder is not a man,

Being from the generation of only 2 choices (and not having bothered to check out any of the more recent options), I'm not sure I'm man enough for a full day of course building with the NTI Tuffs.  We have some pretty chunky tunnels from a Saskatoon Saskatchewan supplier no longer with us, but the tuffs take it to a whole new level.

What about accuracy in length of tunnels?

Definitely.  And for clubs in the northern regions, don't buy the line "It's cold and just needs to warm up."  Some of these new ones could be used as the tow rope in a Tractor pull and never come close to making length.  Until people start sending them back, supplier's are not going to give a crap.

[Cheryl Gilbert]

I'm pretty cheap as far as tunnel bags are concerned.  Now this is for home use only...but I buy sand at lowes and put about 10 pounds in a plastic trash bag, tie it shut and then put that in a second plastic bag and tie it shut.  I put 2 of these double bagged sandbags inside a very cheap (they went up from fifty cents to a dollar each) Walmart grocery bag that people use to put their groceries in (not plastic bags but cloth bags).  When it starts to rip...which it eventually will, I just slip another walmart bag around it.  I bought rachet tie down straps from Lowes to connect the bags but the last time I went to get more they didn't have that kind so I ordered them from Amazon.  They have held up really well and when the bags start to wear out I just get another one for a buck.  I have 20 pounds of sand in each bag...so 40 pounds per pair of bags. 

[Marj Vincent]

.  I bought rachet tie down straps from Lowes to connect the bags but the last time I went to get more they didn't have that kind so I ordered them from Amazon. 

I like using the snap buckle 6' straps at Walmart. I found them in the Sporting Goods section.  I used those when the velcro stopped working on my old bags. I would slip them through the handles of the bags and made sure the strap went diagonally across a rib and tightened them up.  Just unsnap them to remove the bag. I think they are about $3 or so. It's been a while since I bought any.