Trailer Inflation

[Berber Boy]

Here in Australia they are starting to use Nitrogen to inflate tires because the pressure does not vary at all with tire temperature which is great for trailer towing in the summer especially. Anyone have experience with this over the pond?

[Paul S]

its very good. Most of the marketing hype is true..other than better fuel mileage which is bull....but the other benefits are VERY exagerated... well of course it has to be..they have to pay off their investment in the nitrogen machine.

Is nitrogen needed.. no. There are millions and millions of tires out there with plain ol air doing just fine!

The only way I get nitrogen for my tires is from costco - free. I won't pay for it. Not worth it for a street driven vehicle.

I have seen it advertised for as much as $25/tire from dealer mailings.. A rip off even at $2/tire IMO. it should be a value added service like Costco is doing. I see no reason to replace perfectly good air for other good air.

plus, unless they pull a vacuum on the tire, there will be remaining air in the tire to boot.

Its like the 3000 mile oil change. won't harm anything, but a waste of $$ for most people. look who is pushing it.. the people who are selling it. Shocking!

if it makes you feel better .. go for it.. there is no downside other than a lighter wallet.

[Hamin' X]

Information from Consumer Reports:

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2 ... ogen-.html And

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2 ... ires-.html

Seems there are some small benefits, but they did not find a significant difference in pressure v temperature, with air v nitrogen.

~Rich

[Trouts Dream]

I have used a 78% nitrogen content in my tires for years.

The nitrogen practice seemed to come from car racing and airline practices where oxygen content in some extreme cases may have contributed to problems. Mostly it seems to be the 'pet rock' syndrome.

[dutchwinter]

I have used a 78% nitrogen content in my tires for years.

The nitrogen practice seemed to come from car racing and airline practices where oxygen content in some extreme cases may have contributed to problems. Mostly it seems to be the 'pet rock' syndrome.

this is probably the wisest policy, i think with maybe some trace gases and about 20% oxygen, this may work best. saving money and time on getting pure nitrogen will maybe one day pay for a radial tires.

[tompolak]

I also like to flush the motor with dihydrogen monoxide. It really helps the performance and to give a thorough cleaning. Read more at http://www.dhmo.org/

[bastonjock]

I also like to flush the motor with dihydrogen monoxide. It really helps the performance and to give a thorough cleaning. Read more at http://www.dhmo.org/

first time ive heard of that stuff,i think ill pass

[tompolak]

By the way, for those of you who did not catch it.... dihydrogen monoxide = H20 = Water (nomenclature of H20).

And 78% nitrogen content = the content of N in the air (from wikipedia.... "Dry air contains roughly (by volume) 78.08% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0.038% carbon dioxide, and trace amounts of other gases.")

[Kelly Hanson East]

My spinoff business plan was to offer 78% Nitrogen air fills at half price of the 100% fill.

Sold on the value proposition of course....get 80% of the benefit for only half the price. I even gave business insight - we can afford to do this since we get our 78% nitrogen in large bulk quantities...

[Kelly Hanson East]

because the pressure does not vary at all with tire temperature

as a science educator that last comment hurt...

[tompolak]

I bet you would have people lining up to get 78% Nitrogen. I do not think most people would catch it. You could get away with it if you just worded it just right. That would be a great Science fund raiser, near 100% profit margin.

[Trouts Dream]

I see SHELL is now selling 'nitrogen enriched' gasoline.

[dutchwinter]

well, maybe they just have someone blowing bubbles into the gas. what concerns me more is these lawsuits over ethynol. I didnt read too much about it, but I plan to. the thing is, all the gas stations that I usually go to, all use it. can the 2 stroke handle it better? Im not well read on this yet. Anyone know?

[Kelly Hanson East]

The engines (both auto and marine) seem to be ok - the FG fuel tanks found on many powerboats are not ok.