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Internal bead locks?

jschall

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So I really like the idea of internal bead locks. Basically an inner tube that inflates and applies force to the beads. Benefits are supposedly you can air down all the way to sub-10psi with no worries about a bead letting go, there's less volume in your tires so you air up and down faster, and they protect the rims so you can "limp-flat." Has anyone done this?

I think it might be hard to find a shop willing to install them. Not sure if the TPMS sensor can stay installed, not sure if the CT tires have foam in them that would cause a problem. I think they need a second valve stem added to the wheels and balancing might be a challenge.
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jdown26ty

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So I really like the idea of internal bead locks. Basically an inner tube that inflates and applies force to the beads. Benefits are supposedly you can air down all the way to sub-10psi with no worries about a bead letting go, there's less volume in your tires so you air up and down faster, and they protect the rims so you can "limp-flat." Has anyone done this?

I think it might be hard to find a shop willing to install them. Not sure if the TPMS sensor can stay installed, not sure if the CT tires have foam in them that would cause a problem. I think they need a second valve stem added to the wheels and balancing might be a challenge.
They are inner tubes, not run flats, the nail that punctured your tire will also take the tube out as the air leaks from the external chamber. I have installed them in off-road vehicles in the past. They require more attention than I would deem necessary on a street vehicle. They do make balancing difficult and it is often difficult to get the pressure correct in the outside chamber. Air doesn’t move quickly around that inner chamber. Also your tpms would not fit inside the rim. You could mount some aftermarket ones externally on the valve stem caps. I think you would be better off adding a spare to your rig.
 
 








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