Traveling tire pump

Greg Arehart · #1 05-31-2011, 02:22 PM

Tried the archives, no luck. Anybody have a recommendation for a lightweight and small tire pump to carry in the toolbox? I've been thinking of a bicycle pump - something that I wouldn't use on a regular basis but would get me out of a jam if I had a flat in the middle of nowhere.

thanks,
greg

tkatc · #2 05-31-2011, 02:41 PM

Interesting question. I wonder though, if you had a flat and pumped it up for takeoff, would it still be inflated enough to land? I recently ordered a front tire and tube from Van's as I plan on gathering some essential tools/parts for travel emergencies. Perhaps I should have ordered a mainwheel tube as well

N8RV · #3 05-31-2011, 02:53 PM

Maybe a better solution would be to carry a can of "Fix-A-Flat". Small, lightweight ... and will seal the leak in the tube so you can get home.

Anybody know a reason why that's not a good idea?

Ironflight · #4 05-31-2011, 03:01 PM

If you truly have a "flat", the first big issue is how to get the airplane up off the wheel pant - just to get the pant off! (been there, done that more than once...)

If you can get that done, if it were me, I wouldn't want to take off with that same tube unless I saw the guy that had stolen my valve to deflate it in the first place - landing with a suspect tire is nerve-wracking. So carry a new tube if you're headed in to the boonies. And in that case, a bike tire inflater might not be a bad idea - but make sure the valves are compatible before you commit.

We just replaced our bike tire pumps (on our bikes) with CO2 inflators BTW....haven't had to use one in anger yet, so no PIREP.

Paul

gnuse · #5 05-31-2011, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N8RV

Maybe a better solution would be to carry a can of "Fix-A-Flat". Small, lightweight ... and will seal the leak in the tube so you can get home.

Anybody know a reason why that's not a good idea?

Not sure "fix a flat" is a reasonable expectation in a tube type tire. Typically the tube will tear and that is not going to reseal with a product like that. In a tubeless tire, yes it might work if the hole is small.

vfrazier · #6 05-31-2011, 03:19 PM

http://www.flyboyaccessories.com/sto...ort=20a&page=2

Scroll to the bottom of the page listed above. We have a couple CO2 inflators that will get you going. We have tube repair kits too, if it's a hole and not just a slow leak. Both are inexpensive and lightweight.

Walt · #7 05-31-2011, 06:00 PM

I'll say it again...DO NOT let your tire pressure get LOW!!!

If you can just do that one simple maintenance item chances are very good that you will never get a flat

My personaly minimums are Mains 35 PSI, nose 40 PSI, when I add air I pump them up to 40/45 PSI. I check them once a month.

n5lp · #8 05-31-2011, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walt

I'll say it again...DO NOT let your tire pressure get LOW!!!

If you can just do that one simple maintenance item chances are very good that you will never get a flat

My personaly minimums are Mains 35 PSI, nose 40 PSI, when I add air I pump them up to 40/45 PSI. I check them once a month.

Walt, what kind of problems have you had with lower pressures? I air up my mains to 30 PSI when the plane gets hard to pull, which is somewhere south of 20 PSI. I have never had a flat and have operated from some sub-optimal surfaces. I know it is very possible to get a flat from a mesquite thorn or similar sticker, no matter the pressure.

Walt · #9 05-31-2011, 06:38 PM

When pressure get low in a tube tire, the tube will start to "work" or chafe against the tire sidewall from excessive flexing. This causes wear to the tube and then pinholes are the result. 99% of the flats I've seen on tubes are not from puctures but from pinholes in the tube from working against the tire.

cyrilmclavin · #10 05-31-2011, 08:05 PM

Guys go to the aviation department of wallmart and buy a battery booster with work lite tire inflator 12v power supply usb powersupply/charger you get all this for $39 or $49 for the larger one and you can jump start when you leave the master on inflate your tire or another pilots tire and charge your cell phone ond power your laptop or ipad or your handheld garmin when your altenator quits. I dont fly or drive without it.

cyril