Woodalls Open Roads Forum: Class A Motorhomes: new Michelin tires/nitrogen


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jimhaz2402

Crossville, TN USA

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Posted: 07/22/06 08:00am

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I'm getting closer to buying 6 new Michelins. They've been good to me with over 125,000 miles on 2 coaches with nary a blowout. I guess if they're good enough for the Space Shuttle, they're good enough for our coach. The local dealer says they're using nitrogen in the Shuttle tires, and that they are using it now at their tire store. My questions: I carry a pancake compressor with me. Do I just add regular air if I ever need to add to a tire on a trip or do I have to look up a tire dealer who uses nitrogen? And what about a repair where the tire has to be broken down and then re-aired i.e. does it make any difference if 1 tire has regular air and the other 5 carry nitrogen? Stupid questions, I know, but just wanted to know your experiences with nitrogen.

imgoin4it

Alamogordo, NM USA

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Posted: 07/22/06 08:09am

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I suggest you call Michelin Customer service with the question. I have called them numerous times and they are extremely helpful.

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Catdave

North Carolina

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Posted: 07/22/06 08:15am

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Using nitrogen in RV tires is pointless and is, for the most part, simply a sales/marketing gimmick.

To answer your question- you can mix air & nitrogen when you air up, as the air you breathe is already 78% nitrogen anyway. Having mixed concentrations in the tires won't make any difference whatsoever, nor will having some tires with normal air and some with all nitrogen.
Note that unless they vacuum down the tires completely (and they likely won't) you'll have only slightly more nitrogen in the tire after inflation than before because the air that's in the tire to begin with will dilute the nitrogen they put in.
In reality you'll see no advantage at all in filling the tires with nitrogen, but as tire salesmen have discovered it sounds impressive and you can tell your friends who don't know any better that having nitrogen in the tires increases gas mileage...

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Rick From Sequim

Sequim, WA

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Posted: 07/22/06 08:17am

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Like CatDave, I use an exotic mixture of gases that contain 78% nitrogen. It's called "air", and is available almost anywhere (on earth).

Rick

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Sully2

Cincinnati

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Posted: 07/22/06 09:36am

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Catdave wrote:

Using nitrogen in RV tires is pointless and is, for the most part, simply a sales/marketing gimmick.

I agree completely

Oldfordman

Marysville, WA

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Posted: 07/22/06 11:52am

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If they are putting in the Nitrogen for FREE, go for it. If they are charging for it, take the regular compressed air. As to refills while using nitrogen, there is absolutely no problem. If any tire "Pro" tells you different, they are full of hot air (not nitrogen).

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wa8yxm

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Posted: 07/22/06 02:26pm

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Nitrogen is used by tire stores now days because tires go flat, that is what they do, This does not mean anything is wrong with them but if you park your rig, with the tires off the ground (use jacks to support it) and let it sit, or better yet, if your car has a full size spare tire, check the pressure, I'll bet it's low. This does not mean a faulty tire, it's perfectly normal. Several years ago a sandwich bag company used a term "Molicular Migration" well, that is the reason, the air goes straight through the rubber,, Just very very very slowly

Nitrogen has a larger molicule than basic air (even if it is 80 percent of air) and thus goes through very very very very slow (note the extra very)

This is the reaon for using it.

Can you add regular air if you need it Sure, regular air is mostly nitrogen anyway, go right ahead Add it, check your tire pressure regulary (note, this last line is something you should do no matter what you add or don't add) I normally check mine when starting a trip and every five minutes as I travel (ok, Ok, I use a Dorian Prssure Pro system)

Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
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FrontRangeRVer

8,600 feet elevation in the Rockies

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Posted: 07/22/06 02:43pm

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Catdave wrote:

Using nitrogen in RV tires is pointless and is, for the most part, simply a sales/marketing gimmick.

I agree....and wonder why people fall for this type stuff

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timothy6499

Lemoore CA.

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Posted: 07/22/06 04:03pm

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Oil free dry pumped nitrogen is used on all aircraft tires (including the space shuttle) for a couple of reasons, the high speed and high heat produced. Niether of these are a factor in motorhomes. The nitrogen has less temperature/pressure fluctuation than air. I suggest if you are driving less than 120 knts, go with straight air.