Starting back several years ago, examples of airless tires were on the web, on the news and in magazines. The idea an airless tire is simple: replace the fragile air-cell of an air-filled tire with something solid (or somewhat solid) that has enough give to approximate the load-bearing and ride-quality of an air-filled tire.
In many cases, closed-cell polyurethane foam, polyurethane spokes and vulcanized rubber are used to make airless tires. Currently, airless tires are being used in construction equipment, utility vehicles, golf carts, bicycles, wheelchairs and assorted non-civilian uses. Why?
Over the long haul, airless tires used on the aforementioned applications are rugged, cost effective and (in some cases) are easier to work with.
Crocodile Tyres, based in Australia has seen success with their unique, airless work tire. This tire is bonded to a regular wheel. Michelin tires is working on a “Tweel” that has polyurethane spokes that integrates a wheel to the tire itself. Others are testing tires that have polyurethane foam, spokes and rubberized chambers to a separate wheel. While the technology is fascinating, there are no airless tires available for daily drivers.
Maybe one of these tire-makers would give off-roading types a tire that never needs to be aired down and can last 100,000 miles? Would you pay 30-percent more for a piece of mind like that? Scuttlebutt has it that these tires will be much more expensive – IF they are ever produced.
I know that some of you would be hesitant about getting debris stuck in the chambers, losing the ability to air way down for more traction and gaining weight. From what I have seen, the industrial-based airless tires seem to be pretty robust.
Does anybody out there have additional info about these tires for civilian use?
It would be interesting to find out what’s going on.
Speaking of off road tires…
