Fluid in tires

[phoenix 1]

I have a couple of questions about using fluid in tires for weight.
1. Do you have to have special inner tubes
2. How do you get it in the tires?
3. Does anyone have an idea how much fluid a 9.5- 16 rear tire or a 18 - 7.00x8 tire will hold.

 

[284 International]

There is a chart listing approximate capacities at 75% full here. It says the 9.5x16 holds about 12 gallons, and that seems close, but maybe on the high side.

You can use inner tubes, or not. I do, just because they seem to seal better, but it's not a necessity.

I run straight water, but it never gets cold enough for long enough here to freeze that much water solid. Others use anti-freeze added to water, or windshield washing fluid (methanol) alone. The old standard is to use calcium chloride in solution to add additional weight to the fluid, as well as providing extreme freeze protection. The other big alternative is beet juice, sold commercially as "Rim Guard" and perhaps other brand names.

I use straight water, so I rigged an adapter that took a female garden hose end and attached it to a tire inflator. I screw that to a hose, pull the valve core out of the tube, let the air out, and then inflate the tire. I position the valve at the top of the tire's rotation, and stop every so often to purge the air.

There are special pumps made, others use a funnel and small hose.

I usually fill until I can hear bubbling from the valve stem, indicating the top of the rim is covered. That seems to give enough air atop the incompressible water to keep a smooth ride and relatively compliant tire, but maximize the weight of the liquid ballast.

 

[Botetourt]

I have a couple of questions about using fluid in tires for weight.
1. Do you have to have special inner tubes
2. How do you get it in the tires?
3. Does anyone have an idea how much fluid a 9.5- 16 rear tire or a 18 - 7.00x8 tire will hold.

Tractor Supply has an adapter for hose to valve stem. I rigged up a short piece of hose with a big funnel on the end. Pressing on the tire with your foot helps suck in the fluid. I've done it with and without tubes. Last time, I used this: Find a DOW 128 Oz. RV Antifreeze (903427) from The Home Depot

it's not toxic like auto antifreeze, and not corrosive. I got it on clearance at Wally World in the spring for $4/gal. I used it unmixed, but that was for a garden tractor. For my larger tires on the Buck, I'll probably mix with water. Great way to add weight, the weight is very low to improve your center of gravity, and it's never in the way.

 

[Uncle Wayne]

The danger with not adding an antifreeze of some kind in areas of freezing temps is the slicing effect of the sheet of ice that forms on the top of the fluid inside the tire. I've seen inner tubes sliced all the way through with ice inside the tube.

 

[TomSr]

You can buy an adapter from most parts stores or Tractor Supply. Take a garden hose, hook it to the facet leaving it loose enough for air to escape out. Take a funnel and pour your anti freeze into the hose. When anti-freeze runs out the end attached to the facet or you put the amount in the hose you want in the tire then stop; tighten the hose on the facet. screw the hose on the adapter on the tire and turn on the facet. There is a button on the adapter on the tire to purge the air. Make sure the valve stem is at the top of the tire.
Should work fine for you does for me.