re-using flaps

[isaac_alaska]

how bad is it to re-use old flaps if i get new tubes? is there any reason not to?

looks like new tubes are gonna run about $120 for my tires, and flaps are going to be another $150 or so because of shipping...so i'm hoping i can re-use the old ones

[w30bob]

Isaac,

The flaps function to protect the tube from chaffing against the rim. Can you re-use flaps.........sure. Just check them real good to make sure they're still flexible and not dried out and cracking. If you ever air-down your tires to play in the sand and such flaps are even more important due to the amount of movement of the tube at lower pressures. Also consider how long it'll be before you ever change tires again. If you have a museum piece and don't expect to wear out a set of tires in your lifetime..........use new flaps. If you only get a year or three out of a set of tires you can be pretty sure your used flaps will last that long if they're in decent shape. Same goes for tubes, but most people err on the conservative side and replace them when they get new tires. Don't forget the spare tire too. Nothing sucks more than needing your spare and finding out it's not useable.

regards,
bob

[isaac_alaska]

thanks! think i'll probably try and re-use the flaps for now...or if they look bad i suppose i can turn the old tubes into flaps. i am getting new tubes and new tires, and they are super heavy duty tires so barring a rifle shot to the sidewall, i shouldn't have to worry about a flat. i'll probably just carry an extra tube since if something does start leaking that's a field repair that isnt' too hard to perform.

[Jess]

If they are still pliable, and clean, they should be fine. The ones I had removed when going to new tires were decent, still pliable but very dirty and had rust from the rim. Any grit on the flap or inside the tire will have you seeing the flab up close again soon. I did save one tube and flap for a spare mount, but had the tire guys recycle the rest, tubes flaps and tires. My tires were not that old, only Canadian manufacture Goodyear NDT dated 1964. Still had some tread and holding air. I don't think I'll be that lucky with my new tires...

[just me]

Tubes won't make good flaps. Not anywhere near thick enough.

[MSeriesRebuild]

Based on many years and tire changing worth of experience; most of the advice offered about reusing flaps is really not good. Yes I know some do it, but this is the often over looked reason why it just isn't smart. We have not bought an old type tube in years that is specifically built only for bias ply tires. Nobody makes them as new anymore, and for good reason. A bias tube is only usable in a bias ply tire, however a tube designed for radial tires also performs great in a bias ply tire. Flaps bring up the same issues, there are radial flaps, which work with radial tubes and tires as well as with bias ply tires. Radial flaps are much easier to work with and last way longer than the old bias flaps which are not easy to find these days, and if you do, I don't suggest you waste your $$ because of the age in storage and obvious deterioration that is already underway already right out of the box. Bias flaps do not work in combination with radial tubes. Since any new tube you buy these days are of radial design, if your old flaps are the bias type, and you reuse them, you are headed for trouble that will most likely destroy your new radial tubes and could cause a serious tire failure, an accident, or worse. Your call, but spending a few more dollars now could save you many dollars and heartache later. Some things are just not worth the risk, but this is simply my opinion.

[w30bob]

Charles..........great info! I didn't realize flaps for radials and bias ply tubes were different. Thanks for sharing that.

regards,
bob

[isaac_alaska]

makes sense, thanks charles. i think you've convinced me to do the flaps too...do it right, do it once, right? guess i'll be calling mwm or vpw soon, or is a flap for a 16" rim something that should be common enough to find locally?

[MSeriesRebuild]

makes sense, thanks charles. i think you've convinced me to do the flaps too...do it right, do it once, right? guess i'll be calling mwm or vpw soon, or is a flap for a 16" rim something that should be common enough to find locally?

I would certainly look locally first. Our local tire guy who does all our work gets all the stuff through his sources. Be careful, as with everything else, younger guys will sell you anything in some cases. I hate to say this, but there is some vendors in our trade that will do that too; educate yourself and know what you are getting before you purchase. Many local sources will refuse to work on perfectly good rims because they can't deal with lock rings. The folks we use have been in business for 75 years, second generation ownership now, with the 3rd generation already involved also. This guy was born into the business, has worked on truck tires his entire career. We take newly painted rims to him, they come back with tires installed and computer balanced without a single scratch or flaw on the newly painted rims. We are certainly blessed to have this guy 10 minutes up the road, it is almost unheard of to have service like this available these days. The common excuse I hear recently is tubes are not available with the correct brass stems; that is a line, we get them all the time. If you can not find a radial tube with the correct brass stem locally; we can get these for you and ship them to you. We don't stock them here because I want fresh stock when we mount a set of tires. They are certainly available in your area if you can find a dealer who cares enough to help you out in relation to searching them out for you. Heavy truck tire dealers is where you look.

[billy]

Tubes won't make good flaps. Not anywhere near thick enough.

i have my new ones right here
and i was suprised at how thick they are