hydrogen in tires

[Doug Engel]

As an owner/operator of a tire store, I have been hit up by all my suppliers to
get on board with the nitrogen trend. While there are benefits of nitrogen that
cannot be disputed, the nitrogen systems are being promoted to me as primarily a
new profit center. The dryness of nitrogen as I see it is most beneficial in new
vehicles that have TMPS on board, due to the sensitivity of the TPMS sensors to
moisture (not to mention their rather costly replacement value).
It it worth it to replace the "air" in your rigs tires with nitrogen? I
suppose every little bit helps (dryness, pressure stability, tread life), but in
the grand scheme of things, I just can't see it. Another thing to keep in mind,
there is no substitute for putting a gauge on your tires every day (or at least
"bumping" them. Don't let nitrogen's claims to greater pressure stability lull
you into thinking your tires are fine. I see more tire failures due to lack of
correct pressure (usually from natural aspiration or slow leaks) than any other
culprit. Doug n' Pokey

Gardner Yeaw wrote:
There are at least two advantages to nitrogen.

The first is that it should have little or no moisture because it is
produced at a specialized facility where there should be certain
levels of quality control. Compressed air from in-house compressors
contains water, the amount depends on the current humidity.

Second, nitrogen is an inert gas, that is to say it does not
react chemicaly with anything. Oxygen, as you know, reacts with most
everything. So filling with nitrogen will prevent oxidation of the
inner tire as well as the rim.

Is it worth the extra cost, if any? I don't know. But if you
decide to go that way you need to continue to use it wen you adjust
tire pressure or you will end up contaminating the atmosphere inside
the tire. So carry a tank of nitrogen or seek out local suppliers.

Gardner
78FC33


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, krminyl@... wrote:
>
> I think the main advantage of nitrogen vs. compressed air is that
the
> nitrogen is dry, and has no moisture in it, which is bad for
tires. Costco, who is
> now becoming one of the nation's largest passenger car and light
truck tire
> retailers, now use nitrogen when installing their new tires.
that's what
> they told me anyway...FWIW....
>
> Kevin
> Yorba Linda, CA
> 1986 38' PT
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>






Doug Engel, Gunnison, CO. 1981 FC35SB "Pokey"
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