flat!

[Dan Cordon]

> NAC, but this line reminded me of something.  I saw program a while
> back, might have been monster machines on TLC, anyways, it focused on
> 4X4's (the offroad kind) and there was a couple of guys trekking across
> the arctic or antarctic (doesn't really matter which) in a couple of
> specialized Toyota 4runners IIRC.  Anyway, these things had huge balloon
> tires and they were running such low pressure that they often popped a
> bead.  Their preferred method of reinflating was to spray some flammable
> liquid (starting fluid) into the tire and throw a match in.  Poof!  The
> expanding gases would reseat the tire on the rim. I can't wait til I get
> a chance to try that!
>
> Stephane
>

The icelandic 4wheelers are really cool. They'll take a new Land
Cruiser, or Lexus, chop the fenders off and add custom ones with huge
wheel wells, then throw massive tires on. The rest of the vehicle can be
nearly stock (Compared to other 4x4's with that size tire anyway). I
also have a (old) Land Cruiser with 39x15" tires. It really does *float*
on snow. Not big enough tires to float in water though.

BTDT on the tire thing. I run as low as 2.5 psi in the winter (slow
crawling in the snow...not suitable for road speeds) and haven't popped
a bead yet. But many friends have. Just takes a squirt of starting fluid
and throwing a match at it. I have a video where one guy sprayed a huge
amount of starter fluid in and it actually blew the bead completely to
the other side of the wheel. That had to suck.

--
Dan Cordon
Mechanical Engineer - Engine Research Facility
University of Idaho