Need Cheap Tire Tubes

[Capt_Riney]

I’ve got the standard aero classic 5.00-5 tires on my RV7. Looking to buy a spare tube and I’m shocked at the prices. Cheapest thing I’m finding on Aircraft Spruce is like $128, which is more than what I paid for the tires. Anyone out there know of a more inexpensive option in Tire tubes?

 

[RVDan]

Reduced leakage tubes are a must unless you like airing up the tires regularly.

 

[FORANE]

I refused to pay the high prices for "aircraft" brand tubes these days. I bought a few from Napa auto parts and have had good service out of them.

 

[ve0kog]

it takes me 45 minutes to take off pants, check the pressure, and put them back on. So i paid up for the airstop tubes. vse aviation has them at better prices than spruce, but still hurts.

 

[andoman]

FORANE, what tubes did you get from NAPA?

 

[FORANE]

FORANE, what tubes did you get from NAPA?

Their house brand Part #: SME 704822 (for my Lancair so smaller size than used in the RV).

it takes me 45 minutes to take off pants, check the pressure, and put them back on. So i paid up for the airstop tubes. vse aviation has them at better prices than spruce, but still hurts.

When I owned the RV-9a I installed a port in the wheel pant to fit a combined air pressure gauge and fill chuck. Made the job easier...

 

[TheNewGuy]

If you can't find anything compatible at NAPA, Airpower has the ones you saw on spruce for $118. Expensive but I like their free Fedex Ground Shipping

 

[ve0kog]

Apparently it's tricky to make a high quality butyl tube and splice a valve that does not diffuse air. Michelin must have cracked the code..

 

[D-Dubya]

To quote Patrick Henry, "I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me Michelin AirTubes!" Okay, that wasn't exactly what he said. But if he had an RV, I bet he would have said it. I had to remember Patrick Henry's entire speech in the sixth grade and this is the first time I've even come close to repeating it.

The Michelins are pricey, but they hold air better than just about anything else. They prevent a lot of delays when you're ready to go fly, and eliminate a lot of hassles. If you're looking for a cheap hobby, maybe look at golf. Oh wait, that's not really much better...

 

[Quotafiller]

Not sure if it is any help but i have bought two sets of the blackbird tires and tubes. They are $209 shipped for tire and tube. Best overall deal i can find. Vse aviation and you need to make an account

 

[RVDan]

If tube prices are an issue get the Berringer wheels for tubeless tires.

 

[catmandu]

I actually used Butyl rubber 4.10/3.50-5 inner tubes with a bent stem from Amazon for over a year / 120-ish hours at one point inside my Desser 5.00-5 retreads. Around $15. They held air at least as well as the expensive non-Michelin's. The valve stem took some fiddling, but was usable. Certainly worth it for a spare to fly around with. Vacuum seal it with some powder if you can before throwing into the emergency kit, it will last longer.

 

[Capt_Riney]

I’ve got the standard aero classic 5.00-5 tires on my RV7. Looking to buy a spare tube and I’m shocked at the prices. Cheapest thing I’m finding on Aircraft Spruce is like $128, which is more than what I paid for the tires. Anyone out there know of a more inexpensive option in Tire tubes?

Thanks everybody for the feedback. I found some generic tubes on wings and wheels for 100 bucks each and I’m probably just gonna get those. Interestingly, they say the only difference between the hundred dollar generic tube and the $128 aero classic tube is the aero classic logo on the tube.