Nitrogen in Tires?

[dpandorf]

Anyone running nitrogen in their TV or trailer tires?

[Excella CM]

I currently run a mixture that is about 78% nitrogen and about 1% argon. Oh yeah, and about 20% oxygen

[moosetags]

I'm not familiar with doing this. Can somebody fill me in. Thanx.

[thecatsandi]

AS far as I can tell it is the latest thing to up sell you on.
Aircraft run nitrogen in thier tires to lessen the fire hazard and lengthen the life of "carcas". They can be re-used as long as they pass inspection. Thats right! Retreds on airliners. Been doing it for years. very few problems.

Non-Commercial tires are not re-used in this manner so I do not think it is worth the expense and effort.

[Beginner]

Yes I am.
I understand that NASCAR runs Nitrogen in their tires. It expands less at temperature than air(more consistant pressure over range of use cycle).
The NAVY uses Nitrogen in their airplane tires for much the same reason. Nitrogen, because it appearntly has a larger molecule (I beleve thats the way the story goes) cannot pass as easily through the rubber tire. Also while O2 is passing out through the rubber it oxidizes it and shortens the life of the tire.
I went last year without having to add nitrogen to the tires on my Excella. I have a Tire Pressure Monitering System and verify its proper operation regular basis (check the pressure with a Guage).
I had the tires mounted at COSTCO and they only put Nitrogen in the tires they mount.
The NAVY has been using Nitrogen in their aircraft tires for over 30 years.
One tire on my 1991 Olds 98 has nitrogen in it. I have had to touch up the other three several times in the last few months but not the one with nitrogen in it. Hmmm.
Beginner

[thecatsandi]

Only one problem. Nitrogen has a molecular wieght of 14 while Oxegen is 16.

[RBolton]

I currently run the same mix as Excella CM. Only I call it air. The nitrogen vendors do make the larger molecule claim as well as the fact that nitrogen does not contain the moisture that is present in air. Moisture could possibly cause a corrosion problem and pressure fluctuation could be greater at temperature extremes. Air or nitrogen - you still need to check pressure periodically for safety's sake. Nitrogen cost a bit, but you do generally get a cool looking green valve cap.

[Jim Clark]

Just sounds like another complication in life. I think UV will eat my tires from the outside long before the air eats them from the inside. I would also have to carry around a nitrogen pump or plant or what ever to fill them on the road. Air was good enough for my father and my grandfather I will hold on the family tradition and stay with air.

[ScottW]

Apologies to Michele, but molecular weight has nothing to do with the fact tha all the US military services, plus all the air carriers use dry nitrogen in the tires. It is all about 'dry' and the moleculaar difference between nitrogen and oxygen (read plain air). Nitrogen filled tires do not loose pressure as rapidly as 'air' filled tires...simple as that. No other BS to be considered. Period!

[Smuzz]

We run it in a lot of our farm equipment some of which has had tires mounted on wheels for at least a decade. Now granted these old tires don't see fast on road use but they take a punishment no airstream will ever see. It holds it pressure much better than air like stated. We put it everthing we get a chance too but if we are out somewhere and need air we add it in no worrys. Should consider it if you have a chance to use it you will be pleased.

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by dpandorf

Anyone running nitrogen in their TV or trailer tires?

no, but there is no downside to inflating with dry nitrogen...

IF you have access to the process.

the lack of water vapor (in nitrogen inflation apparatus) added inside the tire during inflation is the major advantage for road use...

i use dry nitrogen for track tires, because inflation pressures change less during 'hot laps' than with typically moist air...

while this IS significant at the track and with low profile performance tires, where 2-4 psi changes matter,

the effect on properly inflated trailer tires would be minuscule...

trailer tire heat comes primarily from under inflation or overloading...

and on the tv side,
i'm regularly adding/subtracting air based on load or towing,
so dry nitrogen would be impractical to manage...

deterioration from inside isn't a real issue for trailer tires that SHOULD be discarded at 4-6 years.

cheers
2air'

Originally Posted by moosetags

I'm not familiar with doing this. Can somebody fill me in. Thanx.

hey moosetags, google 'nitrogen inflation' and read a bit...
lots of hot air on this at the auto forums...

[thecatsandi]

No apologies to me I was not the one who brought up the larger molecule thing. Beginner did.
I will not disagree with using it is you want. I don't see it a necessary in a ground based vehicle as long as the air you are putting in is Dry.
One of the major reasons they military and Airlines is Nitrogen does not support fire. Where Oxygen does. The other is the compressed gas in bottles has an insignificant amount of water.

I have seen a lot of Airline tires loose pressure in three days. The pressures are running in the high 100s. Not 50-60 PSI.

[HankandLois]

Michelle is correct, all military and civilian transport aircraft use nitrogen gas for tire inflation to minimize the water content inside the tire carcass. A lump of ice can really upset the balance of a wheel at high speed

[markdoane]

I have always used nitrogen in my 7.50 x 14 tires. They are speed rated for 160 mph and load rated 8700 lbs. If they're good enough for a Gulfstream, they should be good enough for an Airstream.

Just kidding. Unless you operate your trailer at 38,000 ft, I think the 78% mix is good enough.

[dpandorf]

Originally Posted by markdoane

I have always used nitrogen in my 7.50 x 14 tires. They are speed rated for 160 mph and load rated 8700 lbs. If they're good enough for a Gulfstream, they should be good enough for an Airstream.

Just kidding. Unless you operate your trailer at 38,000 ft, I think the 78% mix is good enough.

So what you're telling Mark is you drive a Gulfstream too?

[markdoane]

Not yet. Those %#* idiots at Powerball HQ keep picking the wrong numbers!

[azflycaster]

We used nitrogen in the tires when I was in the USAF 40 years ago. A tire only lasted a month or two, so I do not think it was to prevent rot from the inside. We also had to check / air the tires every day. I think the main reasons were to prevent moisture from building up in the tire and turning to ice at high altitude and to keep the pressure from getting too high when the tires became hot.

[brunoffrance]

Originally Posted by dpandorf

Anyone running nitrogen in their TV or trailer tires?

YES I use nitrogen in tyres of my F150 & A/S...

So when I asked if , in USA , you refill tires , as in Europe, there was a lot of laughts from members......

See my old thread about that ( souvenir):
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f438...ires-4975.html

Bruno

[Action]

People in AZ use the nitrogen too. I have seen the little green caps. However for most of the year the air here is really dry. <10% humidity. So I see no point in the use of it, if I have to pay for it. I have several air compressors and rarely travel at speeds anywhere near super sonic.


I can hear the south of the border conversation..........
Action: Hey, where can I get nitrogen for my van?
Mexican: Huh?
Action: Yeah, a do you know of a place where I can get nitrogen for my tires?
Mexican: Silly Gringo, we don't need any stinking nitro here.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[dpandorf]

Originally Posted by markdoane

Not yet. Those %#* idiots at Powerball HQ keep picking the wrong numbers!

Yes indeed those things are a bit on the expensive side