Van's Air Force
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Using inner tubes with tubeless tires?
- Thread starter j_omega
- Start date
Mike S
Senior Curmudgeon
Welcome to VAF!
Carl, welcome aboard the good ship VAF
I have used tubes in tubeless tires/rims on a number of vehicles in the past----but none with wings, never had a problem.
I suspect you are OK with the same on the plane-----but not sure.
If you bought the plane, how many hours has it been operating that way??
Carl, welcome aboard the good ship VAF
I have used tubes in tubeless tires/rims on a number of vehicles in the past----but none with wings, never had a problem.
I suspect you are OK with the same on the plane-----but not sure.
If you bought the plane, how many hours has it been operating that way??
az_gila
Well Known Member
It seems Goodyears says it's OK - page 16 -
https://www.goodyearaviation.com/resources/pdf/aviation_tire_care_jan_2016.pdf
While Michelin says "it depends" -
Use of Inner Tubes
• Bias Tires
◦All Michelin bias or cross ply tires, whether tube type or tubeless, are suitable for operation with tubes approved for the particular tire size and application on tube type wheels.
• Radial Tires
◦All Michelin radial tires are of tubeless design. Never use an inner tube or mount on a tube‑type wheel.
http://www.skytreads.com/mounting.htm
Are any of the usual RV tires radial design?
ADDED - BUT SEE CORRECTION BELOW
Michelin Air and Aviator tires are radial.... but not sure how it fits into the above statement. Perhaps it is more to do with the hub design rather than the tire?
https://www.goodyearaviation.com/resources/pdf/aviation_tire_care_jan_2016.pdf
While Michelin says "it depends" -
Use of Inner Tubes
• Bias Tires
◦All Michelin bias or cross ply tires, whether tube type or tubeless, are suitable for operation with tubes approved for the particular tire size and application on tube type wheels.
• Radial Tires
◦All Michelin radial tires are of tubeless design. Never use an inner tube or mount on a tube‑type wheel.
http://www.skytreads.com/mounting.htm
Are any of the usual RV tires radial design?
ADDED - BUT SEE CORRECTION BELOW
Michelin Air and Aviator tires are radial.... but not sure how it fits into the above statement. Perhaps it is more to do with the hub design rather than the tire?
Last edited:
simpkinsona
Well Known Member
Bias ply
I checked the Michilin website. The Air and Aviator tires are bias ply and can be used with tubes. I've used the Aviator tires and they have lasted much longer than the Goodyear flight custom III previously used
I checked the Michilin website. The Air and Aviator tires are bias ply and can be used with tubes. I've used the Aviator tires and they have lasted much longer than the Goodyear flight custom III previously used
az_gila
Well Known Member
Yes... looking closer it seems it's the Air X tires that are radial -
https://www.airmichelin.com/uploadedFiles/MichelinAirDev/StandardContent/Product/AIRXDataSheetV4.pdf
...and they only come in big sizes for big GA planes...
Thanks for the correction.
