No doubt, a lot of GN's have vehicles with duel wheels on the rear. If you are going to get a flat at the back, you can bet it's an inside one. I have seen a number of cases where folks who were just getting started on the road, puzzled about how to know if the "insider" had sufficient air in it. Other than taking the outside one off to put a gauge to check, it can be a problem. I am not there to insult anyones intelligents, and I may well be "talking" to the converted, when I tell you about valve extensions. First up, one should always do a vehicle "walk around" when you stop, for whatever reason. Keep a small hammer, tyre lever or such next to your seat, so when you pull up, it's easy to walk aroiund and "tap" your tyres. You will get used to the sound of a fully inflated tyre. I have seen vehicles pull up with only the remains of a tyre left on an inside wheel. If ignored, they can start to burn. Extensio valves. I bought mine at a local tyre retailer for five dollars a pair. They are made of heavy duty plastic, and are only just flexible. You can buy brass ones. Most folks know, that when you refit the second, (outside) wheel, the valves should be opposite, and not "next" to each other. When fitted, the extension should fit through the outside wheel, just far enough so it is easy to fit a gauge to it. If and when you go offroad, it's a good idea to remove the extensions, as should a stick get between the duels, it can tear the valves out. Always, OVER inflate your spare. If and when you need it, you will only have to DEflate it to be the required pressure, and not have to INflate it.
Regards
Pipes
Good advice, Pipes. There are some 'fancy' extentions on Ebay, either full brass or brass and rubber or chromed for just a few bucks more if you wanted to match your wheels. Another tip I was given re dual wheels, if the O/S is flat, don't jack it up but park the inner wheel on a wood or similar block. It will allow an outer wheel change without the hassles of jaching, especially on uneven/soft ground. Collyn RIVERS in one of his excellent articles, gives much the same advice as yours re tyre pressures and has info from U.S.A. that indicates that privately used tyres are often more abused than the worst that commercial use can throw at commericial tyres including mining. Most of it through over/underinflation or overloading. For what it's worth.
-- Edited by Keith19837 on Sunday 1st of July 2012 07:04:30 PM
No doubt, a lot of GN's have vehicles with duel wheels on the rear. If you are going to get a flat at the back, you can bet it's an inside one. I have seen a number of cases where folks who were just getting started on the road, puzzled about how to know if the "insider" had sufficient air in it. Other than taking the outside one off to put a gauge to check, it can be a problem. I am not there to insult anyones intelligents, and I may well be "talking" to the converted, when I tell you about valve extensions. First up, one should always do a vehicle "walk around" when you stop, for whatever reason. Keep a small hammer, tyre lever or such next to your seat, so when you pull up, it's easy to walk aroiund and "tap" your tyres. You will get used to the sound of a fully inflated tyre. I have seen vehicles pull up with only the remains of a tyre left on an inside wheel. If ignored, they can start to burn. Extensio valves. I bought mine at a local tyre retailer for five dollars a pair. They are made of heavy duty plastic, and are only just flexible. You can buy brass ones. Most folks know, that when you refit the second, (outside) wheel, the valves should be opposite, and not "next" to each other. When fitted, the extension should fit through the outside wheel, just far enough so it is easy to fit a gauge to it. If and when you go offroad, it's a good idea to remove the extensions, as should a stick get between the duels, it can tear the valves out. Always, OVER inflate your spare. If and when you need it, you will only have to DEflate it to be the required pressure, and not have to INflate it.
Keith, apart from shifting oil rigs across our deserts, I also "crewed" for a company taking "tag along" tours through a the deserts. There was a dozen vehicles, plus mine, and another crew member. He and I were the only ones who didn't/don't believe in wide tyres, or "mag" wheels. We were the only ones who didn't get a flat when lowering the pressures. You reckon I haven't had many arguments over that.
