Pros and cons about tubed and non tubed tires

[moe1965 738]

Here is my dilemma I bought a wheel horse tractor that sat out side covered up for who knows how long a im guessing 5 years PO passed away no info on it. Tractor runs great but the tires will not hold air for more than 4 days.   Dry rotted and cracked only where it sat deflated for whenever whenever the tread is very good.   Tubes are 25 ish ea and tires are way more than that.    My issues is I don't like tubed tires because you can't plug them. Any thoughts on pros and cons of running tubes

Edited November 17, 2023 by moe1965
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[rjg854 11,361]

The only tires I ever tubed came so deformed I had to use tubes in them to make them seat. If the side walls are that cracked that they would require tubes. They really need new tires. That's my two cents.

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,318]

I would tube them. I’ve never had a puncture that needed a plug in my 24 years of messing with WH’s.

  I’ve had leaky valves and leaky beads, but never a puncture. 

[ebinmaine 67,498]

11 minutes ago, moe1965 said:

My issues is I don't like tubed tires because you can't plug them. Any thoughts on pros and cons of running tubes

 

You can USUALLY patch the tube if you need to plug the tires. 

Just have to do it in multiple steps.  

Remove the tube completely and partially inflate them to patch.  

 

In my shop we've begun installing tubes in every tire we change, new or used.  

 

Note, we DO NOT have any plants or trees with tire piercing thorns.  

 

[ri702bill 8,321]

I also am a fan of using tubes..... Easier to seat the bead AND you can fluid fill them without rusting the rims...

Do yourself a favor. IF you are buying them from a land afar, inflate them to 5 PSI and let them sit for 3 days. Not all will stay inflated.... BT,DT. Easier to return them that way.

[pfrederi 17,739]

If the tires are really in bad dried out shape inflating the tube may cause a sidewall blow out.  But that said i usually try a 20 dollar tube before a 70-80 tire...  but as mentioned inflate it an let it sit for a few days first

Edited November 18, 2023 by pfrederi

[Pullstart 62,879]

I think you already nailed it.  I have some tires with air and fluid both with tubes and no tubes the same.  It’s a matter of preference.  My nice tires with no tubes and good wheels I am 100% confident in.  Something 20+ years old?  I’m not so confident they won’t need a tube. 

[JoeM 7,874]

I have found that most of the tubed tires, that did not have a good coat of paint on the inside of the rim, have rusted where the tube lays against the metal. 

I lean toward putting the money toward new tires if i have it.

Tubes are kind of a last resort for me. I really don't see where there is any advantage other than saving a old tire. 

Edited November 18, 2023 by JoeM

[ebinmaine 67,498]

1 minute ago, JoeM said:

don't see where there is any advantage other than saving a old tire.

 

The only  advantage to me is being able to mount the tire myself instead of paying someone else.  

I've had several tires I couldn't get the bead to seat without using tubes so I just started putting tubes in all of em.  

 

The tubes cost about the same as the installation fee and I don't have to spend the time traveling.