carry the spare

[Cadstat]

I had a flat in the hanger on Wednesday. No big deal. I had the other one go flat at the gas pump yesterday 800 air miles from home. Thank goodness some RV forum recommended that you carry a spare which I do. The FOB loaned me a jack. I pulled the tire, put in a tube and lost only an hour on a 6 hour x-country. In 1000 hours of flying I never had a flat until yesterday but it can ruin your 'hole' day so far from home. Thanks Forum for saving my bacon!!!!

[newt]

Originally Posted by Cadstat

I had a flat in the hanger on Wednesday. No big deal. I had the other one go flat at the gas pump yesterday 800 air miles from home.

Wheels really are the weakest link in any airplane.

Doesn't matter how fastidious you are about maintenance, or how much you spend on reliability, or how careful you are with your flying, you can always be grounded by a flat tire.

- mark

[tommylewis]

After having 3 main flats on our RV7a in the last 2 years, I now carry a spare main tube as well as a nose wheel tube in the baggage stuff. Two of the flats occurred on trips out of town and one occurred while landing at home. We do not leave home without our spare tubes.

[moll780]

im having some fun with the nose wheel tube replacement.
any trick that you guys know of to not pinch the tube when assembling the rim halves?

Originally Posted by tommylewis

After having 3 main flats on our RV7a in the last 2 years, I now carry a spare main tube as well as a nose wheel tube in the baggage stuff. Two of the flats occurred on trips out of town and one occurred while landing at home. We do not leave home without our spare tubes.

[LifeofReiley]

Originally Posted by moll780

im having some fun with the nose wheel tube replacement.
any trick that you guys know of to not pinch the tube when assembling the rim halves?

Some wood blocks and a couple of big c-clamps will do the trick.

I also carry a main and nose tube, would not leave home without them.

[FORANE]

Originally Posted by moll780

im having some fun with the nose wheel tube replacement.
any trick that you guys know of to not pinch the tube when assembling the rim halves?

I cut a piece of thin cardboard or other thick paper about 2 inches wide and length equal to the rim circumfrence. I place the tube in the tire, place the tire on one rim side, place the paper / cardboard between the tube and rim, tuck the paper / cardboard inside the top of the tire, slide the top rim half down leaving the paper / cardboard inside the tire. Works great.

I have also found that flats occur more frequently when I allow air pressure to drop. Thus, I monitor tire pressure and maintain high pressure - never had a flat when I have maintained pressure. I believe lower pressure allows the tube to get pinched between the tire and rim upon landing.

[smokyray]

Been using this in my airplanes and motorcycles for years, never had a flat, never carried a spare even in the Backcountry.

Works great. Sold at the Wal Mart aviation dept.

Smokey

http://www.slime.com/

[mculver]

I lightly (barely) inflate the tube inside the tire and then insert the wheel halves. Keeps the tube from being caught in the seam (it just rides over it)

Originally Posted by moll780

im having some fun with the nose wheel tube replacement.
any trick that you guys know of to not pinch the tube when assembling the rim halves?

[Sig600]

Originally Posted by smokyray

Been using this in my airplanes and motorcycles for years, never had a flat, never carried a spare even in the Backcountry.

Works great. Sold at the Wal Mart aviation dept.

Smokey

http://www.slime.com/

Just out of curiosity, how are you going to change a tire on a bike? And how do you carry a spare?!?!

[Ron Lee]

I carry a main and nose wheel tire, one main tube and TWO nose tubes.