Filling Tires with Nitrogen - The Hull Truth

shellback · 10-01-2006, 11:24 AM

I have seen several advertisements and heard comments from a few users that filling your car tires with Nitrogen has several benefits:

- Fuel Savings
- Increased Safety
- Longer Tire Life
- Superior Handling
- Decreased Wheel Corrosion
- Maintains Proper Inflation 3-4 times longer

""" I would like to hear comments regarding this issue and thoughts from you guys who do a lot of trailering about filling your BOAT Trailer Tires with Nitrogen """

TVBX · 10-01-2006, 11:32 AM

This is normally done on race cars. Compressed air also includes water vapor. The water vapor expands and contracts with temprature and as a result affects tire pressure. Nitrogen properly delivered from a tank is inert and while it will expand/contract the delta is far less.
Ever see the water drips when you get a tire changed? No matter how good a trap there is always some vapor. I wouldn't worry about corrosion over a long period. Dunking in salt water will do more damage.
Unless you are going to carry a nitrogen tank with you I wouldn't bother. If you intend to race your trailer my advice is "go for it!".

Curmudgeon · 10-01-2006, 12:22 PM

Most of that sounds bogus to me. Maybe if I was a nitrogen supplier ...

Fishing FINattic · 10-01-2006, 12:29 PM

Dont waste you time or money.
TVBX hit it on the nose; inert gas, water vapor, expansion, ect. I do not know for sure, but I bet race cars do it since there tires see ALOT of heat and change in temp. Normal every day driving does not see near this amount. What you are trying to avoid is driving your car with over inflated or under inflated tires. Just do the work and check tire pressure once a month.
Tim

My Gal · 10-01-2006, 12:31 PM

Like TVBX says.

High altitude aircraft use nitrogen due to extreme temp variations regarding pressure in addition to reducing moisture to fight corrosion from the inside of the wheel..

These are not issues you will encounter to the extent of justifing using nitrogen.

yachtjim · 10-01-2006, 12:38 PM

Race cars do it, like TVBX pointed out, because of moisture in compressed air. Nitrogen allows the tire to maintain the specified pressure while the tire heats up. The gains are very marginal (air is 75% nitrogen as it is). They also use argon when it really matters. Unless your trailer is getting really loose coming out of turn 4 after a long run I wouldn't worry about it.

richinct · 10-01-2006, 12:50 PM

Quote:

TVBX - 10/1/2006 10:32 AM

This is normally done on race cars. Compressed air also includes water vapor. The water vapor expands and contracts with temprature and as a result affects tire pressure. Nitrogen properly delivered from a tank is inert and while it will expand/contract the delta is far less.
Ever see the water drips when you get a tire changed? No matter how good a trap there is always some vapor. I wouldn't worry about corrosion over a long period. Dunking in salt water will do more damage.
Unless you are going to carry a nitrogen tank with you I wouldn't bother. If you intend to race your trailer my advice is "go for it!".

Just do what I do, change your air twice a year. Use summer air in summer, winter air in winter

Mr. Demeanor · 10-01-2006, 12:58 PM

Use helium...makes your rig lighter

Seacat FL · 10-01-2006, 01:10 PM

Quote:

yachtjim - 10/1/2006 11:38 AM

Race cars do it, like TVBX pointed out, because of moisture in compressed air. Nitrogen allows the tire to maintain the specified pressure while the tire heats up. The gains are very marginal (air is 75% nitrogen as it is). They also use argon when it really matters. Unless your trailer is getting really loose coming out of turn 4 after a long run I wouldn't worry about it.

I have been picking up an aero push when someone gets under my trailer on the high banks at Daytona. Will nitrogen help there too?

rharris · 10-01-2006, 07:51 PM

air is 78% nitrogen, so you already have mostly nitrogen in your tires. The remainder is oxygen, carbon dioxide, argon, and other trace gases.

rwidman · 10-01-2006, 07:56 PM

If the tire manufacturer recommends it you should do it. Otherwise, just air it uplike everyone else does.

pooldoo73 · 10-01-2006, 07:58 PM

The water expanding in your tires causing the pressure to increase is BS when it comes to trailer tires. Water doesn't appreciably expand until it hits its boiling point, 212 degrees. You will have other issues before your tires get that hot.

Filling your tires completely with water would be the best bet to maintain the correct pressure. Gas expands much more when heated than a liquid.

Wolakrab · 10-01-2006, 08:08 PM

The local Honda dealership is hawking it at 35 bucks per set of tires. As soon as I buy that pill I saw on TV that let's me lose 50 pounds, regain the sexual vitality of an 18-year old, re-grow that lost hair, and makes me so irresistable to all those supermodels---all overnight, I'm gonna go fill 'em up.
While I'm thinking about it, where is that 10 million dollars that envelope said I won????

Bullshipper · 10-01-2006, 08:11 PM

Costco has been selling this gas for awhile- I wonder if they have written something into there warrantly clause too?

reel thing 25 · 10-01-2006, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Bullshipper - 10/1/2006 7:11 PM

Costco has been selling this gas for awhile- I wonder if they have written something into there warrantly clause too?

I got my first batch of Nitrogen in my tires from Costco. So far so good. Free lifetime tire pressure (with Nitrogen) and rotation and they saved me $100!

miike · 10-02-2006, 01:56 AM

Quote:

yachtjim - 10/1/2006 8:38 AM

Race cars do it, like TVBX pointed out, because of moisture in compressed air. Nitrogen allows the tire to maintain the specified pressure while the tire heats up. The gains are very marginal (air is 75% nitrogen as it is). They also use argon when it really matters. Unless your trailer is getting really loose coming out of turn 4 after a long run I wouldn't worry about it.

Exactly, and most of the components of air compress almost identically to nitrogen. Water would make the biggest difference, but there is little of it.

Eyeball · 10-02-2006, 02:31 AM

Quote:

TVBX - 9/30/2006 11:32 PM

... I wouldn't worry about corrosion over a long period. Dunking in salt water will do more damage.

That was my first thought, too. But then I remembered that corrosion (oxidizing) is accelerated when under pressure (i.e. inside of a tire) due to the increased number of O2 molecules per sq/mm compared to air at 1-bar. This is part of why it is so important to remove all moisture from the air when filling a high pressure cylinder such as a scuba tank.

So yes, there is something to the corrosion point, but a tire is only +2 to 2.5 bars. TVBX is correct, not enough diff in corrosion to worry about.

den41 · 10-02-2006, 03:25 AM

This is a joke .........right? can I use the word anal on this board. If this is a real post then just consider this a post on my owm ignorance.

N2/ 79% O2 /20% 1% argon and trace gases

Eyeball · 10-02-2006, 10:08 AM

Quote:

den41 - 10/1/2006 3:25 PM

... just consider this a post on my owm ignorance.

Consider it done.

big_t · 10-02-2006, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Mr. Demeanor - 10/1/2006 11:58 AM

Use helium...makes your rig lighter

i use freon to keep em cool as a cucumber!