Community Forums

Snowman 1 · 11-09-2010, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankdamp

Air is mainly nitrogen. There is absolutely no benefit to be had from paying to have your tires purged and refilled with nitrogen, other than to the tire salesman that conned you into doing it.

When I worked at Boeing, I was involved in analysiing in-flight tire bursts. based on about 20 or so serious incidnets, the airline industry switched from air to nitrogen. The incidents were almost all the result of dragging brakes on takeoff causing high temperatures in the wheels and tires which then "cooked" the tires when the gear was retracted. Volatile compounds were released into the tire's air volume and spontaneous combustion caused the tire to explode.

If your RV can get up to 150 mph with a dragging brake, nitrogen inflation might help avoid a tire explosion. If you can't get going that fast, don't waste your money!
Frank Damp

If there was no benefit then why did the airline industry switch to nitrogen? You've disproved your own theory. Why do Formula One race teams use it? I'll tell you why, because tire pressures remain constant despite temperature variations. And in a motorhome with that much volume of air, those pressure fluctuations can be huge in the various seasons. I've seen 20 psi swings between summer and winter. Also, air loss through seepage is minimal at best.

I have two cars that have had nitrogen in the tires for 2-3 years now. I don't even bother checking them anymore...summer, winter, after 5 hours on the highway in 100 degree heat, the pressure remains constant.

First chance I get the coach is getting switched over.

a10koaksfed · 11-09-2010, 12:40 PM

I was able to get Nitrogen, at $5.00 per tire in Oklahoma City. They had just begun offering the product and it was an intro price. As we travel from CA, thru the desert, to the east coast a couple times per year, we opted to make the switch for the pressure stability issue. Traveling from the coast, thru Nevada when the outside temp is 105, plus surface heat, plus tire generated heat, I'd prefer to have a more stable system in the tires.

Just our opinion.

Tom & Kelly
'02 MADP
So Cal

RustyJC · 11-09-2010, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowman 1

Why do Formula One race teams use it? I'll tell you why, because tire pressures remain constant despite temperature variations.

Would you believe what the "Get Nitrogen Institute" (obviously a pro-nitrogen organization) has to say about that? See HERE.

Rusty

Sandman · 11-09-2010, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowman 1

If there was no benefit then why did the airline industry switch to nitrogen?

At 35,000 feet nitrogen reacts differently (more favorably, does not suspend water vapor that can freeze) than air.. aircraft do not drive very far on their tires.

And.. air (at sea level) is 78.084% nitrogen..

a10koaksfed · 11-09-2010, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC

Would you believe what the "Get Nitrogen Institute" (obviously a pro-nitrogen organization) has to say about that? See HERE.

Rusty

I read the link.

I never liked calculus.

My MADP will never run at INDY.

And yet, I feel quite happy with my decision to put Nitrogen in my 6 tires.

Tom & Kelly
'02 MADP
So Cal

AFChap · 11-09-2010, 03:50 PM

...make it sound complicated and/or "scientific" and you will find that there is a sucker born every minute ...

TXiceman · 11-09-2010, 05:49 PM

It is fine for race cars and airplanes, but the marginal difference in temperature for autos and RVs is so marginal, it is not easily measured. I chose not to fall into the P.T. Barnum category of one born every minute.

Oh, and that was simple algebra, not calculus.

Ken

Ray,IN · 11-09-2010, 06:05 PM

If anyone desires to fill their tires with nitrogen that is great. It is a personal decision and freedom of choice is still allowed in the U.S.A. Just do because you want to, and forget everything else, like convincing another it is cost beneficial or more safe.

a10koaksfed · 11-09-2010, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

It is fine for race cars and airplanes, but the marginal difference in temperature for autos and RVs is so marginal, it is not easily measured. I chose not to fall into the P.T. Barnum category of one born every minute.

Oh, and that was simple algebra, not calculus.

Ken

Wow! I didn't know this site was going to allow name calling. I thought we were all here to offer insights, encouragment, answers. I'll get back to you with your new title.

ccook129 · 11-10-2010, 04:02 PM

This will do it.
It will tell you the truth in a second,and is what I always use.I check tire temp,brake,engine,and exhaust temps,and yes my tires have nitrogen in them,and most dealers and costco sams club all install it for free.

AFChap · 11-10-2010, 04:11 PM

Quote:

most dealers and costco sams club all install it for free.

I've never seen Nitrogen put in tires for free. If I did, I might use it if it were convenient for me at the time ...but wouldn't go out of my way to get it.

Tireman9 · 11-10-2010, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlayItForwrd

I haven't read all the replies so maybe I'm echoing someone-- but consider this:

The reason air pressure goes up is because of heat. The reason for the heat is your tires naturally get hot as they roll and flex. As your tires get hot, the rubber gets softer. As the rubber gets softer, it will support less weight. Supporting less weight means more sidewall flex. More sidewall flex means the tire will generate more heat...

If you have plain old air in the tires, the extra air pressure from the heat helps compensate for the tire's softness. For that reason only, I see no need to run nitrogen in my tires...

Almost
Pressure does go up for all gasses with heat and heat is generated due to rubber flexing and rubber does get a little softer with heat... BUT it is NOT the tire that is carrying the load. It is the air pressure. The very slight increase in softness (durometer is the measure) is not affecting the tire load capacity. Normally tires that are properly inflated and loaded increase in temperature to about 40°F to 60°F above ambient.
If what you are saying were true there would be load tables based on 100°F ambient and different tables based on 32°F ambient. But there are no Temperature load tables for normal ranges of temperature.

If what you suggest were true, every tire would fail as all tires get hot with use which according to your theory would result in more flex and lower load capacity and more heat and more flex and more heat etc till the tire simply melts.

raceguy549 · 12-27-2010, 11:53 PM

One of the reasons Nitrogen is popular in the racing community is it's portability. You buy it in high pressure cylinders and use a regulator like those used on cutting torches to create a usable pressure like 100 psi or so. Presto...air up tires or run an air wrench with no outside power source..... no compressors needed at all. That is very handy when your in the pits somewhere with limited electricity etc.
The other is nitrogen's reputation for having less pressure gain over time when running. In major league racing, tire pressures are often set in increments as low as 1/10th of a psi. Pressure changes of 1/4 lb in any tire can affect the handling of the racecar. Racing, after all is a sport that revolves around turning money into noise. So, if a guy thinks he'll go faster with Nitrogen he's gonna do it if he can possibly afford it.
So is Nitrogen gonna be a great thing in an RV tire. Doubtful, but it won't do any harm and being drier it may have slightly less pressure increase on the road.

Raceguy