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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: saumensch on April 04, 2011, 04:38:00 AM

Title: Leaving the Bow in the car?
Post by: saumensch on April 04, 2011, 04:38:00 AM
Hi,

i know you shouldnt leave youre bow strung in the car when its hot. But what about unstrung?
Can it damage the bow if i leave it in the car in the sun unstrung?

As i am a modern nomad with working places, hometown and girlfriend several 100 miles away from each other and mostly living out of my car during the week, and my bow is always with me, i dont want to damage it by leaving it in the car during hot days, so i unstring it. Is it safe that way?

Thanks, Axel
Title: Re: Leaving the Bow in the car?
Post by: GrayRhino on April 04, 2011, 05:12:00 AM
I asked that same question to the guys at Black Widow and they said they do not advise even an unstrung bow to be left in a car, or anywhere in hot temperatures.  The high heat can compromise the glue bond, even when the bow is unstrung.

I'll take their word for it!    :)
Title: Re: Leaving the Bow in the car?
Post by: JohnnyWayne on April 04, 2011, 05:26:00 AM
I live in South Florida and there is no way I would leave a bow in my car, it just gets too darn hot. Invest in some sort of case or bowsock and just bring it inside with you, you may get some weird looks but it's much better than losing structural integrity    ;)
Title: Re: Leaving the Bow in the car?
Post by: saumensch on April 04, 2011, 06:18:00 AM
Thanks guys, will take it inside with me.
Title: Re: Leaving the Bow in the car?
Post by: LCH on April 04, 2011, 08:14:00 AM
I have a hummingbird that stays in my truck unstrung w/ the windows cracked all the time. Ben does not suggest this though. LCH
Title: Re: Leaving the Bow in the car?
Post by: Night Wing on April 04, 2011, 08:19:00 AM
I would never leave any bow unstrung in a hot car or truck. Even unstrung, you risk delamination of the limbs.
Title: Re: Leaving the Bow in the car?
Post by: JMartin on April 04, 2011, 08:21:00 AM
July and August in Texas......I don't leave my bows in my truck. I take them inside with me. I had the fletch tape come loose on a dozen arrows stored in a black plastic arrow box, in my truck, in a Texas July.
Title: Re: Leaving the Bow in the car?
Post by: ishoot4thrills on April 04, 2011, 08:28:00 AM
Keep in mind that when it's 85 degrees F. and sunny outside, it can reach 160 degrees + in your vehicle. Even much more than that if it's 90 or above outside. I had a black truck with a thermometer inside of it and I know sometimes it hit 180 degrees! That will kill a bow! Don't do it.
Title: Re: Leaving the Bow in the car?
Post by: John Havard on April 04, 2011, 10:14:00 AM
Heat is bad for bows, period.  NEVER leave a strung bow, especially one with black limbs, in the direct hot sun.  And never leave a strung or unstrung bow in a hot car.
Title: Re: Leaving the Bow in the car?
Post by: LongStick64 on April 04, 2011, 11:08:00 AM
I love to travel around with a bow, got a good size backpack and I can carry it with me wherever I go.
Title: Re: Leaving the Bow in the car?
Post by: JEJ on April 04, 2011, 02:11:00 PM
If the bow can fit in the car trunk, anyone have any problems in real hot weather with that? I understand never leave inside car/truck with all that glass, but the temps in August here in North TX are 100 almost every day. Are you saying don't even leave a bow inside a car trunk in 100 degree weather? thanks  :confused:
Title: Re: Leaving the Bow in the car?
Post by: Don Stokes on April 04, 2011, 03:34:00 PM
The trunk is just as bad.
Title: Re: Leaving the Bow in the car?
Post by: joebuck on April 04, 2011, 05:57:00 PM
most bows are glued with Smooth On expoy. it is thermal set. if your car gets hotter than what the bowyer's hotbox or heating strips temps were.....then you could have a problem especially HotBox bows which heat transfer temp is usually less than strips across limb
Title: Re: Leaving the Bow in the car?
Post by: GWV on April 04, 2011, 06:28:00 PM
I might leave mine in the car and dare some warm weather to come around!
Title: Re: Leaving the Bow in the car?
Post by: Benny Nganabbarru on April 04, 2011, 06:32:00 PM
I don't think you will damage it leaving it unstrung in the car; however, I only have experience with the back of the ute (pick-up) under a fibreglass canopy. It is shady in there, but still very warm. We have no other option in our travels, and it is hotter in some of the country here than almost anywhere else on Earth. However, just to be extra-safe, I do make a point of trying to keep it in the shade whenever I can, back at camp.
Title: Re: Leaving the Bow in the car?
Post by: Benny Nganabbarru on April 04, 2011, 06:37:00 PM
Well, I know that Black Widows, Hills and Martins can handle being strung and hunted with in 49C temperatures. But we do unstring after each and every hunt. We only have our bows strung if we are using them or hoping to use them. Hardly anybody leaves a bow strung in Australia's hot country.
Title: Re: Leaving the Bow in the car?
Post by: bsoper on April 04, 2011, 10:25:00 PM
I'd rather be safe than sorry. I treat my bow like a baby  ;)
Title: Re: Leaving the Bow in the car?
Post by: postman on April 04, 2011, 11:50:00 PM
Never, bows cost to much to take a chance.