I did this with my lawn tractor tires. Living in West Texas I got tired of fixing flats and sealant only last so long. I need to do this to my wheelbarrow now. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.
I used to work at an industrial tire shop, and we foam filled with a two part mixture. The only thing I suggest to make this work better is to add a bleeder hole in the tread area. When you are finished filling, put a roofing nail in the hole. The holes really need to be as small as possible to avoid the foam falling out as it breaks down.
The only problem is the industrial stuff is very dangerous to use. It has to be mixed and put in under pressure. This makes it really easy to over pressure a tire. You have to use a special liquid filled pressure gage and special cleaning solution if anything leaks out. I saw a kid I helped train almost get his head blown off by an exploding foam fill tire they he accidentally over pressurized. That made one heck of a mess.
I did this method about five years ago on one of my dolly wheels. I injected the foam through the tire vale after removing the valve. It did work but I never thought this idea would ever catch on . Good job, good video.
@@dapfitz5 I put about 45 lbs. I did not overflow the tire with the foam though. After watching your video I am going to do other old tires that I have and fill them up as much as the tires will take. Also thanks for posting the different foams that are available. I don't know which one I used at the time I did it.
@@GanderFlight It took about 24 hours to set. I checked it the day after I filled it up. The only thing i regretted is not filling it up until it started bleeding out of the valve. I am going to do two more tires ( i have about 3 sets) I will let you know how they also work. I only did one because that one was flat I wanted to experiment. I still have that tire buy the way.
*I drilled,filed and installed a second inflation valve at 180 degress to the original to allow some pressure release etc. I stuck a stick through the middle and rolled it **_SLOWLY_** (it's very viscous stuff) back and forth leaned left and right for the first two minutes for even distribution and once every ten minutes of the first hour. Worked great.*
@@GanderFlight yeah. It worked for the most part. I have a small void in a 1 area so it's like i have a small flat when it gets to that area. It will work for what i need it to.
Just happens that I have been struggling for hours struggling with an innertube for my garden tractor trailer. Just watched your video and for sure tomorrow is shopping for "big gap'' foam. So many people are afraid to try but you try if it doesn't work, you try another way. You are great.
Make sure you watch all the follow up videos- the foam can be a solution but often other methods will serve you better for longer: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.htmlsi=vosUJ8uXBZqVx9mI
@@GanderFlight with the Spray Foam I used, it wasn't Great Stuff Big Gap Filler, but it was some other brand's large gap filling Spray foam, it's not gooey anymore, I had the same problem you had with the wheelbarrow tire with the foam gushing out, I didn't spray water in it at all, I'll try Great Stuff Big Gap filler next, because it seemed to work perfect for your wheelbarrow tire, I got a mountain bike as a backup, for in case I can't afford to put gas in my automobile & I don't wanna mess with flat tires, I seen online somewhere, you can get foam inserts for bike tires though.
With the 1st tyre you inserted the tube all the way in and extracted it as you dispensed the foam. Maybe that made a difference. I like air because you can bounce the barrow over rocks bricks as on a building site which helps the momentum of heavy loads.
Had a valve stem on a tire tube come off on a tiller. I went to my local hardware store and purchased black big crack fill product. Want to note that if you are looking to do this DIY repair a.) for tubeless tires, poke holes as this video instructed. b.) for tubed tires, air the tub up and let it out a few times to seat and stretch the tube. then remove the valve stem and fill it up! put valve stem back in immediately after filling and wait about 8 hours. Very happy with this!
I used the regular Great stuff on my riding mower rear tire. I drilled four holes. I have a small flat spot that can easily be filled but I've been using it for two years now and it's holding 190 plus pounds. I'm satisfied.
I've been testing this out on a riding mower myself - both a front and a rear tire. I've had similar results with the rear tire - it definitely is a weight ratio - there is significantly more foam in a rear riding mower tire and therefore holds up better/longer.
I probably wouldn’t do this on a riding lawnmower tire. When you finally have to replace the tire, you’ll have to replace the rim too. My lawnmower tires hold air just fine
@@MichaelMantion I'm still using it. I have one area that has softened a bit. I suppose of I shoot some in that area it would help. Granted I wanted to try it as an experiment. It works ok , but now I think it's time for all four to be changed.
Crazy awesome way to go. The cheap tires and tubes on my hand truck keep going flat because the tires are full of small jagged holes (cheap garbage overseas stuff) that rub holes into the tubes. So thanks for the video, you know how I'll be fixing these tires.
This is worth trying for me. I have several tires to fill on carts, wheel barrows, and a dolly. I was going to buy new tires and rims but this is worth a try for how easy and cheap it is.
Its not a silver bullet - it will break down over time, so if they're used for heavy loads or used a ton this might not be the right path - but if its light infrequent use you'll probably get another season out of them.
Thank you for doing this experiment and sharing your experience. It has taught me to just go ahead and purchase the airless tires with a coupon at Harbor Freight. Not much more expensive than a can of foam. The airless tires will probably hold up better over time as well. To each their own. Thanks
I will agree that the airless tires are the better long term option. I was curious to know if this would work and decided to try it out. Being that the airless tires are five times more expensive than a can of spray foam it all depends on how much you want to spend and how often you use the item.
@@GanderFlight From my research I have found that harbor freight sells 6”-10” airless tires for under $9 each. My favorite 13” airless tire can be bought for $22. This does not include any promotional pricing or any of the harbor freight 20% or 30% off coupons, which is the only way to shop at HF. The Large Gap Great Stuff costs between $7-$13 in my area. That’s about as much as a single tire. Now I don’t know if your can was used prior to this video, but this video only showed that the one can only filled 1 1/2 tires. Buying new tires are only slightly more expensive than using the spray foam UNLESS you have a couple of cans sitting around that just need to be used. Granted the larger 13” airless tires are going to cost about twice as much, with discounts, as a can of spray foam. But the longevity, the hassle and the mess would still make me consider to pony up 2x as much for the airless tire rather than for the foam. I really do appreciate you sharing this video. It gave me information to make my decisions on. Granted others might arrive at a different conclusion to save a dollar or two, but I would rather buy the new tire than go through the other process. Everyone is different though. I prefer to place new tires on my vehicles whereas some might choose to save a few $$ to buy used tires. To Each Their Own. Thanks again.
And the airless ones don't rot away in 6 months. Those small tires they sell are not rubber, and are total junk. Leave them outside for a few months and they fall apart. Switched to the foam tires and won't go back. The extra few dollars is totally worth it.
Good work man! Good creativity and pretty simple and quick fix - I wish I saw this video a couple days ago. I pulled out the original inner tube and fixed three holes that I found and it was airtight. Then, when I went to install the fixed inner tube back into the tire, my tires are super tight and there's not much give at all so it was a struggle and I ended up creating two huge holes into the fix inner tube as I was putting it back. Total headache. So now I'm in the process of installing a brand new inner tube that I got for $15 today and being extra cautious that I don't pop it this time. If I somehow end up popping this brand new inner tube with installation (after throwing the dolly across the garage) I'm just going to scrap it and use your method because my frustration is boiling up close to 11 - as my patience is going down. Here's to the new tube working, regardless, good video, thanks.
Tip for installing innertubes - only put in enough air to juuuuust hold the shape - then put it into the tire and mount. After everything is lined up - then fill the innertube up to pressure.
This will be the perfect solution to all the flat tires on my garden hose cart. There is no way I am putting the money into fixing them right as it wouldn't be worth it. Thank you for the video!
@@GanderFlight Interesting! So what we really need is a product on the market that dries much harder, something maybe epoxy based but still able to be sprayed into a tire. Thank you for the research!
Every time I tried the foam and I drilled all those holes the phone would be pouring out of the holes I drilled I noticed yours all stayed inside the tire amazingly
Yes only if harbor freight wheel is of a hard type if not it to will eventually go flat hence buying another wheel so spray foam would pay for it’s self.
@@GanderFlight totally correct.With hand dollies,carts,generally a hard foam injection may hold up and have integrity at 200 lbs.After that,it may break down?
After you drill the holes it is no longer a void ,but very glad to watch this , I was thinking of doing same ,but wasn't thinking of drilling holes. Glad I came across this video ,thanks and hv good day nice shop
Big-gap being less sticky, expands pretty evenly in all directions. The others are skin forming, which directs expansion towards the path of least resistance; upwards, column-like, in this case. Where foam met water inside tyre also likely to be a factor. Met water on tyre wall adjacent to spray point > faster curing / met no water immediately above spray point > slower curing > less resistance > easier to expand in this direction.
I did it on my walker tires with inner tube. I used the one for cracks. What a mess. Few spots maybe 1"-2" it worked rest came out and a mess. Inner tube is the question. I need to try on my 4"x13" mobility scooter tires also inner tube. Maybe cut out valve stem with some inner tube and glue it to rim?? What do you think. Also use wife gap foam.
If the expanding foam is polyurethane type I think the differences between the types (gap filling, door & window frame and big gap filling) are to do with the fluidity of the polyurethane element and the Diisocyanate (this creates the bubbles) being varied in order to create different properties (frame filling you're trying to create a seal so the urethane is more sticky but fluid, big gap is just to fill a void so is less fluid but more "gassing" agent) as the application would require.
Tractor Suppy sells small wagon. Tires that are foam filled . Never took one apart, they work well. Was going to try to use foam on some i have. Thanks for your video
The big gap foam made sense to me because I thought it would take less cans. It doesn't set up hard like the small gap. You see the flexible foam they pack some new products in for shipping. That's the big gap foam. The shipping foam that breaks when you try to bend it is the small gap foam. The big gap will hold up and won't crumble but the tire will be flat.
learn every day I made the mistake of jacking around and moving the tire around thinking the foam would expand more but that's not the case when the foam has to cure and add water that I didn't read clearly just to make time go faster filling the flat tires in a hurry
I did this about five years ago. It worked fine for about a year, then it started breaking down into a powder and became useless. But, my business required me to fill it with concrete multiple times daily, which really put it through the test. So for a normal wheelbarrow, it would probably be fine for years longer.
@@justinsvidz Yes, you have to pull the valve core to get the product inside. But first you need to drill multiple small holes all around the tire so the product can expand properly. Otherwise you will end up with a flat spot on part of the tire. When you drill the holes in the tire, make sure it is just large enough to insert the clear tube into, that comes with the spray foam. Start by filling through the valve core until it begins to come out a couple holes, then go to the opposite side and fill the tire the rest of the way. Just make sure you have product coming out all the holes. The holes need to be half way from the tread, to the rim, on the valve core side. Lay the tire on its side with the holes and the valve core up. Once product is coming out all the holes let it set up till the next day. If by chance you do have a soft spot, or void, the drill a hole in that area, and fill the void.
Guys. Don’t even think about it. I was tempted but so many fails, crushed foam, were the end result. I bought tubes for all my tractor tires, and I’m glad I did. No mess. No fuss.
Just another option - this would be a great option for folks just looking to get one more season out of their tires or for someone who only uses the tires occasionally.
Did this to my pull behind wagon. Had it full of top soil numerous times. Im now replacing the foam 8 years later! Came here to see if there was new stuff. Used closed cell foam had no issues.
I did this a few years back to my pull behind lawnmower trailer but I used the regular spray foam & it worked pretty good but after watching this I might pull it off the rim & put in the big gap foam. Thanks for the video. 👍🏻👍🏻
@@GanderFlight thanks for the link, as I said mine worked ok but I put front tires from a riding mower on my trailer & filled one with foam & after about two years it got a flat spot in it, I guess from sitting. But I do appreciate the link you sent it helps on future decisions, I'll just buy a tube next go round.
I found the same. Not too worried about foam breaking down over time, still cheaper to just do it over. I've done moving dolly and cart for Oxy/acetelene as I was so fed up with inflating tyres every time I wanted to use either. The big gap filler is best.
appreciate you for taking the time to seek out just the right product. and things like the drilling of the holes; you have made my mistakes for me and i thank you!
You only need 4 holes on a wheelbarrow tire .I make my holes so they are a snug fit on the filler straw.I then fill in one hole until the foam starts coming out of the holes on either side of the filler hole.I then put a tire plug in the filler hole .then I top off the holes on either side of the filler hole and then I put tire plugs in them.that leaves the last hole witch I top off with the foam and I leave this hole open so the great foam can expand and vent .I gave never had a tire not fill completely and I never had a tire blow up using this method .
I think that because you're putting the Great Stuff into all of the holes, it is preventing the air in the tire from being pushed out by the Great Stuff. I would recommend putting the tire vertically and then putting the Great Stuff in the lower half and let it push (expand) into the top half. The air should push out and fill the entire tire.
I'm using this for an old wheelbarrow for gardening, I'm sure it'll be fine. Here I was thought I was being witty and using foam, I go to UA-cam and see good minds think alike!
When filling up with foam, put the can upside down so you don't loose air pressure. The contents come off better with the can upsidedown. When you're using any under pressure content out and you see air only coming out, turn it upside down, because some contents like foam and R410A, inside the containers, don't have a line going to the bottom, so the air will go up in them, and the content under pressure will go down. So upsidedown them. Also when you shake them you'll feel the content in the bottom.
I'll tell you which one works the one that's catalyzed. spray can foam requires the opportunity to dry from evaporation and it can't do that in a closed space.
Years ago, we had a 1 bag cement mixer on tires, got tired with the tires running flat every so often, decided to fill the tire with cement, never had a flat after that
3:38 I believe the difference is, with the ‘big gap filler’ you installed the filler tube almost all the way into the tire, and then pulled it out slowly as you filled the cavity. You did not do that with the other two cans. You just installed the tip, and began filling. Which of the three products was the most dense?
I wonder if this stuff would slide along the interior of the tire with some kind of wax or something. I'd find something to help the foam slide in there. Then put the tire back on the rim & drill one or two holes & try to work fast when loading the foam. I wonder if you take that valve thing out of you could use the stem for one of the holes. Then watch for the foam at the other opening. Huh? So what do you seal it with? That tough windshield sealant?? Or put it where you can patch the hole with rubber strands??? I can't understand how this stuff takes such weight on it🤔, eh?
If you put foam in every other hole it would give the foam room to expand. Putting foam in each hole makes the foam compress the air and it pushes itself out the holes. Great video!
This is an outstanding comparison of multiple product variants. I have been looking for a solution due to having multiple 8-10 inch tires failed, and a cost of around $14 each for new ones (plus labor to install). Can't wait to try this!
I put big gap filler in my wheel barrow tire about 3 years ago to avoid spending 30$ or more on a new one. It still works today! A couple flat spots, but only slightly noticeable when I have 160 lb. Of concrete mixed in it. I sprayed through the valve stem hole, and followed up a day later to fill any voids with a drill bit and more big gap filler.
Did the same thing on our pasture wheelbarrow tire 5 years ago, it's still going strong! This thing gets used daily to clean out horse stalls and hauls a lot of crap, literally.
Great quick fix to keep you going...of course a never flat tire is the end game...but I'd do this for a tire that won't hold air to get it through another season...good thinking.
I would never buy a never flat tire again for a wheelbarrow though. At least not for moving concrete all the time. I feel like they suck and they're really tough to push when you're doing constant wheelbarrows
Worked 2 years in my left side snow blower tire. Did not work on my riding mower. Harbor freight has replacements for about 20 bucks. My experience is just buy the tubes for 10 bucks. The cheap way always costs 10xs in time and experimenting. Also remember if you do this to riding mower tires it makes a mess of the rims.
I did this 3 years ago on 4 flat, balding garden dump trailer tires. They're still bald but they haven't gone flat yet, and the trailer gets used almost every weekend from mid May to November to haul grass clippings, dirt, rock, and firewood.
Hi Joshua, hope you are well. I've been thinking about doing this to my wheelchair tyres but this is the first time i've seen it tried. Thanks for sharing. Stay safe and keep up te good work. :)
Its easy to see why your thinking of doing this, £20 for 1 quality 4 ply tyre, or £60 for 1! Exactly the same tyre but with the proper foam. I want to try the 2 part foam as it looks like thats what they use, as the other comment says, its a lot of weight and not much tyre on the ground!
When it comes to sprayfoams there's all varying densities. The strongest of conventional canned sprayfoams is actually the insect resistant formula for whatever reason it's the most dense of ones you can buy from the big box stores (Lowe's/HD). Window stop is low expansion low density so it's the weakest kind. If you go outside of the conventional you can get construction adhesive grade spray foam, which is the opposite of the window foam in that it's high density low expansion. It is the hardest grade spray foam in a can available and its made to adhere almost all construction materials (plastics,metals,wood,etc) and hold them to maybe 800-1000lbs of adhesion strength. If you continue to go outside of this you can get higher density 2 part foams for car chassis reinforcement, composites, and marine applications. These are incredibly hard and can hold significantly more weight per square inch and areas hard as a rock when cured. The heaviest that I'm aware of for 2 part foams go up to 20lbs per square foot and could probably hold hundreds if not thousands of pounds given enough volume material.
I'm looking to use spray foam to fix old broken basement window I have steel plate I was gonna use foam in-between think good idea?! Just need to last yr or so
there are some foam out there nowadays that can lift broken sunken concrete slabs. I think it has 6000 pounds of weight support capability. Look it up.
Expanding foam, whether open or closed cell, does not rebound when compressed. It crushes under a load and stays crushed. Expanding foam rubber (like weatherstrip material) is what you want, but that is an industrial process not available in cans at the big box store.
You must use 'closed cell' spray foam. Closed-cell is much firmer than open-cell, that should stop it crushing as easily. Closed-cell is also waterproof. Open cell will suck up water and destroy the foam. I suggest using a long filler tube and filling though the valve hole.
When we first got out rural country property I couldnt believe how many flats my lawn tractor & equipment was getting. Our property is stink with Himalayan blackberry's. The Himalayans are bigger & sweeter than domestic US blackberries but they have vicious big thorns & fat vines. They were puncturing my tires. I got some Green Tire Slime. It worked so good I slimed all my tires on all my equipment and now I cant remember the last time I had a flat or even a leak. !
Hey guys. Just some words of advice, from experience. I live in New Mexico, which has "goatheads" that are dime sized stickers that easily pierce ANYTHING, and I couldn't keep my riding mower's tires full of air. Coming from New Jersey I wasn't prepared for goatheads, and had never heard of them, so I initially bought brand new tires (2×18in & 2×10in). Well, it was an expensive mistake. So I began searching UA-cam for ideas when I saw someone use sprayfoam. First, no disrespect but adding "moisture" is meant for wood NOT METAL; keep in mind sprayfoam isn't intended for tires but gaps within your home. That said, i feel it's a bad idea spraying water into a tire that sits on a metal wheel; you're asking for rust. Another thing to point out is, when you fill a tire with air it typically requires a bit of PSI. So if a tire won't pop off the rim with air then...? Additionally, only drill enough so the tube of the foam fits. Unfortunately, sprayfoam doesn't always fill every "crevice" inside so after the foam has had time to cure if there are flat spots, or voids, you may be forced to drill extra holes so as to re-spray. Final words, sprayfoam doesn't do well in the sun or heat and will get brittle. So you may need to touch them up each season.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Dan! I'm not terribly worried about the amount of water that was sprayed into the tires. A few summer days and it'll evaporate through those holes.
@@desertsasquatchxploration1568Sorry to hear that you were "introduced" to goat heads like you were. I feel your pain, literally. I'm wheelchair bound and to top it off I'm short lol so instead of getting those goat heads on my feet I get poked, jabbed, etc on my hands and arms.
Might not be the ticket for heavy duty use. I’m currently testing it a bit more long term in a yard trailer and a riding mower, but don’t have results yet.
Thank YOU! suggestions: 1. Leave camera on while drying overnight and high-speed playback to watch the foam squeeze out. (just for fun) 2. Compare cost of new tire to cost of foam...
I ended up doing a part 2 on these tires and tested them to failure by loading a trailer with a max load of weight in water. However, I've had several folks reach back that did it on front tires of riding mowers and have had good results.
I'd suggest using the valve stem after removing the valve. A dowel can be used to prevent back flow. Next time I'll spread bacon grease over the tire to make clean up easier. Gloves and eye protection are a must. I drilled two holes and used a can of spray that was old, 12 years past expiration date printed on the can.
My analysis of your work: Well made video. However you could modify the procedure slightly to accommodate the expansive property of window and regular foam, for the purpose of completing the test experiment. For instance, You can make only one hole and pull out the valve stem. Then while filling at the valve stem opening, orient the drilled hole to the highest point so foam only comes out when the bottom has been filled. And, I would drastically reduce air flow by running a threaded bolt into the hole, then just to be sure, I'd spin the tire vigorously to spread the product. Then, let it work overnight curing. Now, you'd be able to compare the ride qualities of the various foams. Great video, I will definitely do this. TY
Interesting idea -- I think the bolt protruding out the tread to plug the hole would be obtrusive. Here's some additional testing: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
I got spray foam to work on a tire before but the foam crushed with weight and I had flat spots in the tire. Just put a tube in it. It was a pain to get the foam to expand as you can imagine not much air inside a small tire.
I tried to fill a much smaller tire with silicone , but I had the advantage of a split rim . first attempt was not great but taking it apart and spreading the sidewalls and adding more silicone worked well enough to hold up my PTO finishing mower. Plan to do all four , eventually when they go flat.
I don't personally use it much but I've had several folks reach back that have tried it on the front wheels of riding mowers and have been please with the results.
I did that once and the tires were not bouncy at all. Also tried it on my VW 1971 Super Beetle and the seats were hard as a rock. For the tires better to spend $5 for a Green Slime inner tube.
I don’t suggest it - won’t hold up very long at the speeds a bicycle travels at. You can check out more testing here: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
Defo not a good idea' your best to use silicone based tubeless tire sealant £12 a bottle and after doing a 29" tyre you should still have some left when it's needed to be topped up
I don't think so. If you've used the stuff, it almost immediately turns to an airy fan and has almost no liquid properties. I think you would have to spin the tire at a very high rpm to even out foam. If the tire is full, there is nothing to even out so when it spins,, I think you would just cause a good amount to escape through the drilled holes...
2 or 3 years ago I finally gave up on my Forever Flat WB tire. Found a No Air tire on Tractor Supply website. It has worked and been reliable ever since. BUT, it cost $28 or 30 bucks! Imagine todays price! I had the same FOAM the damn thing thought, but did not want to throw away the dollars on my iffy hunch. This video now takes the Iffy out of my hunch. As a retired contractor, I would have used the max expanding stuff also. Now to that 4 wheeled yard cart that is always flat....
I've done this with great success. Little difference, I drilled through the tread and sprayed the foam perpendicular to the wheel. If that makes sense!
It does make sense. Can I ask what application you used it on? Its not a magic solution and doesn't last forever, but it'll get you another season or two depending on usage.
@@GanderFlight I fixed a dolly cart, and an atv trailer I use for hauling fire wood in the mountains while camping. It worked well enough on the dolly, I used it on the trailer before the tire went flat, so it wouldn't go flat while out in the mountains
Every time the wheel turns with weight on it, a little more foam will get ground into dust. You need to use a wheel once, fine, squirt some foam in it. If you need to to use it again next week and the week after, you will soon find that fixing it right is much cheaper.
@JIMMY HENDERSON It absolutely depends on what wheel you use it in and how you use it. I did a follow up video and it is definitely not appropriate for certain applications. ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
I think the point of this is the person that uses the wheel barrel a couple times a year, No need to spend a ton of money on a solid tube or an inner tube that will leak or puncture. i would like to now how well it holds up year after year. I do agree the foam will break down, but how fast and severe.
Thanks for the video! I thought about doing something for my old broken down wheel barrow that I got for free. It's pretty rusty so cheap fix is all I'd do. Not worth the time and energy for a new tire or tube.
I've been meaning to try foam for many years. Nice to see the video and read some of the comments. I think I'll try using the valve stem, and not drill any vent holes. I think it may not matter if it cures inside the tire, just as long as it steals leake. l would put the stem up, then alternately add foam and release the pressure until foam comes back out, and finally, reinstall the core. Or, alternatively, leave the core out and give the foam a few weeks to cure. I have used rigid foam in a cooler lid, with only one big hole to put foam in, and several tiny vent holes to allow the air to be purged, and it took a long time to cure. But it did eventually become rigid. I have made my own tire sealant as well. I used acrylic latex plus silicone caulk (aka alex plus) and blended it with water and a couple of paper towels (the fibers help to plug leaks, I think) until it was a just pourable slurry consistency. I pumped a bunch into my lawnmower tires, and it even sealed up the cracked sidewalls. Worked for at least a couple of years, and if need be, I'll add more. Commercially available Tire Slime works great, but I consider it too expensive to be using that much. I'd figure on a tube or two of the caulk per tire, depending on size and location of the leaks. So much cheaper than new tires, and so much easier than tubes.
I used spray foam on my snow shovel handles ! I put wire hanger wire in them like rebar in cement for strength !! It works GREAT !! Now i need to find other heads in garbage to replce as the handle pipe will last forever !! I want to use on poles of car canopy tents !! Hanger or other wire for rebar is key !!
I did this on cart tires, I used about 3 to 4 cans per wheel. I think t could have bought a new wheel and tire for the cost of the foam. Try Harbor Freight or Rural King. Just got two new wheels and tires for $12.99 plus tax each. They also sell foam filled tires for a little more money. I also had gaps and had to add more and it breaks down over time with a load on it.
I got some harbor freight castor wheels and they never deburred the valve stem holes so it cut through the tubes that were in them. I can put in New tubes, but I have to take them apart and fix the communist apathy that assembled them the first time.
It does break down over time agreed. All depends on what you're using it for - small tires on light duty use and you could get another season or two out of them. When you're having to buy a case of spray foam I definitely concur - just buy new tires.
Wonder what would happen if the rim was removed or one bead separated, fill the tire with foam in sections with the tire standing on its thread then rotate and fill so you can monitor how much foam to apply and reduce air gaps. As the foam expands the second bead could mount itself. Sound like a lot of work but less foam gaps. You're blindly not controlling the fill. What a great run flat idea, at stock the tire's thread surface plies doesn't reduce long nail punctures!
The window door is designed to not apply pressure to the frame so that the door or window still operates after you foam it. It doesn't expand as much and it creeps and runs to the negative pressure point. Which is why once it hit the walls of the tire it continued to grow out so it doesn't create pressure. Exactly not what you want in this scenario. Big gap would be the best option if this is what you want to use but I think it's going to break down fast cause it will crush under pressure. I would suggest just using fix a flat. To get the same effect
The foam I tried was I think was called Great Stuff I got from Lowes and Home Depot.seemed to work until the lawn tractor set awhile. Then when you started using the tractor it would rock you to sleep. The big gap foam was too soft. Neither could support weight for long. My problem is hedge thornes. There may be a foam that works None that I have tried
My dad did this about 17 years ago...We were working on a hardware store roof that had a flat roof in the back. We tore off the roof and had nails everywhere. we were using a wheelbarrow to move trash shingles from one end of the roof to the other....Somehow He made an attachment that screwed into the tire stem. We filled the tire through the stem...we pushed the barrow with about 10 nails sticking out of the tire, but never had to worry about a flat...I cant remember what we used, but I think it may have been the end from a "fix a flat" can.....then attached it to the spray foam can somehow.
𝗧𝗜𝗣! Use a release spray ( a chemical used to prevent other materials from bonding to surfaces. Without such a barrier in place, the substrate would become fused to the surface, (tire etc. ) resulting in difficult clean-up and to make the cleaning the process easier. ) Such as WD40 or any silicone sprays. Or even take some cooking oil, vaseline or even motor oil.Just coat the tire first with a rag before you use the spray foam.🤙🏼
Thats pointless because by the time you need to change the rubber tire the rim's so far gone it wont matter anymore. In fact you'll probably need to replace the equipment before the tire.
Since you bought a new tire/rim I would have just added the Green Slime. The major issues is mostly thorns and nails and Green Slime works great for this application.
good deal on the repair, I was lazy an left the tire on my riding lawn mower. used the regular foam drilled 4 1/4" holes (same size as straw) though the tread of tire didn't add water nothing happened my dry rot tire is still caved in in center of tread this after 24 hours. I only used one can my mowers tire is twice the size of the wheel barrow. thanks for making the video wish I'd sean it earlier.
That kind of foam crushes over time and will eventually deform. Just try it next time you use it to seal something. Let it dry then push into it with your finger and it will crush and not return if the cells break.
I set a blob of this under my truck tire overnight. In the morning it was definitely flat with that much weight, but given a day it bounced back. All depends on what application you're using it for.
@@timstephenson8752 how are you going to get the foam to the spot that's flat if it's on the other side of the tire from the valve? The valve will be full of foam and you won't be able to get anymore in.
I'm going to try this on a snow thrower tire---I'll let you know how it goes. Thank-you for the step by step instructions it saved me potential fail. I'd heard about using the foam but, I was going to try to put it in thru the valve stem--after having removed the core. Here's a suggestion for you. The jugs of cat litter you used are pricy. Try using the bargain brand / generic litter. Add a little baking soda when putting it in the litter box. Hides odors and helps keep the box cleaner. $$$
I mean you can get a tube for A few bucks off Amazon and a can of fixaflat. spray the fixaflat in the brand new tube. It will fill it up and it will be good for years and years. This foam is going to wear out with heavy use. We buy tire seal in the 5 gal bucket. For tires on things we don't use often we pump it in before it starts to leak. Get ahead of the problem. If you're buying a new cart deflate the tires and full them with fixaflat you'll thank yourself later
If you fill a new car tire with fix a flat it will have the roughest ride ever cause the tire will be out of balance and then you just put a flammable substance in your tire which will have the person that has to fix it flip out on you and refuse to fix it
@@JohnniePokemonNj well. You just made a whole bunch of assumptions in that one statement without knowing anything. I don't put fixaflat in car tires I know how to change and or plug a tire. My comment was for wheel barrows, wagons and other things you don't use often. The tire sealer we use is in a 5 gal bucket and it's not flammable. And yes you are right about the last part. I do cuss myself when I have to deal with that nasty shit but it's worth it because it extends the life we get out of our implement tires without leaking.
Great video. But the way you flattened the tire on the ground, hung up the wheel barrow, then feigned surprise at finding the flat tire could qualify you to be a Hollywood film director. 😂🙄
Interesting. Flat wheel barrel wheels are a real pain for me. I work for the Fairgrounds, so I'm always fighting them. I might have to try this. The other thing this would be good for is an Ice box. The reason Yeti and other expensive brands work better is that most ice boxes don't have insulation in the lids. Adding foam would make a big difference.
My only concern for you is that the push with heavy loads is nowhere near as nice with a solid tire than it is with a pneumatic tire. If you have a machine pulling then go for it - if its human powered try it out and see what you think based on how much weight you need to move around.
Don't worry about the top. The lid of any cooler is where the LEAST loss is. The bottom is where the most loss is. If you try to improve any place it should be there. Stick some foam or silver bubble insulation on the exterior bottom and maybe part way up the sides. That will do the most good.
@@joewoodchuck3824 I think you are right since cold air sinks, but I think the top heats up in the sun also. Insulation there would insulate against that as well.
@@MuskratOutdoors I can see the sun heating the top to an extent, but if the top is light colored that alone helps. Most coolers I've had were white in top. A piece of aluminum foil should remedy that. Additionally the cooler may be in the sun for a while each day but the cooler is working 24 hours. Coleman coolers are probably among the least efficient coolers. The Igloo I currently have is a noticeable improvement and doesn't cost an arm and a leg like Yeti. Ice isn't such a major expense that I worry about it much. If you have a cooler you're likely to have food that keeps eating at restaurants to some minimum. The cost of a single meal out can buy ice for a week or more.
IMPORTANT TO WATCH THESE FOLLOW UPS!!!!! Additional Testing & Results in these videos: ua-cam.com/play/PLAriVJ-zrwIO4Rb2p4axOHWmCJKckaW48.html
I did this with my lawn tractor tires. Living in West Texas I got tired of fixing flats and sealant only last so long. I need to do this to my wheelbarrow now. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.
Here's some additional testing: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
I used to work at an industrial tire shop, and we foam filled with a two part mixture. The only thing I suggest to make this work better is to add a bleeder hole in the tread area. When you are finished filling, put a roofing nail in the hole. The holes really need to be as small as possible to avoid the foam falling out as it breaks down.
Someone really needs to figure out how to get that industrial foam into a consumer usable can - I think it would sell like crazy for these small tires
The only problem is the industrial stuff is very dangerous to use. It has to be mixed and put in under pressure. This makes it really easy to over pressure a tire. You have to use a special liquid filled pressure gage and special cleaning solution if anything leaks out. I saw a kid I helped train almost get his head blown off by an exploding foam fill tire they he accidentally over pressurized. That made one heck of a mess.
@@joelbrown2242 his head or the tire? lol, i need to do this on my bike :D
@@GanderFlight they definitely already have foam guns at any diy store
why not spin the tire so the force will push the foam and force even distribution
I did this method about five years ago on one of my dolly wheels. I injected the foam through the tire vale after removing the valve. It did work but I never thought this idea would ever catch on . Good job, good video.
how much weight have you put on it what kind of load do you think it can handle if you had to guess i think wanna do it 2 mine
@@dapfitz5 I put about 45 lbs. I did not overflow the tire with the foam though. After watching your video I am going to do other old tires that I have and fill them up as much as the tires will take. Also thanks for posting the different foams that are available. I don't know which one I used at the time I did it.
Do you recall how long it took the foam to cure? I tried it through a valve stem recently and it didnt cure.
@@GanderFlight It took about 24 hours to set. I checked it the day after I filled it up. The only thing i regretted is not filling it up until it started bleeding out of the valve. I am going to do two more tires ( i have about 3 sets) I will let you know how they also work. I only did one because that one was flat I wanted to experiment. I still have that tire buy the way.
*I drilled,filed and installed a second inflation valve at 180 degress to the original to allow some pressure release etc. I stuck a stick through the middle and rolled it **_SLOWLY_** (it's very viscous stuff) back and forth leaned left and right for the first two minutes for even distribution and once every ten minutes of the first hour. Worked great.*
Consider using the Locktite brand of expanding foam. It is a closed cell foam, denser, and weatherproof.
Thanks for sharing, I'll look at that.
The five
I just tried that.
@@jareddahlke960 Any results to report?
@@GanderFlight yeah. It worked for the most part. I have a small void in a 1 area so it's like i have a small flat when it gets to that area. It will work for what i need it to.
Just happens that I have been struggling for hours struggling with an innertube for my garden tractor trailer. Just watched your video and for sure tomorrow is shopping for "big gap'' foam. So many people are afraid to try but you try if it doesn't work, you try another way. You are great.
Make sure you watch all the follow up videos- the foam can be a solution but often other methods will serve you better for longer: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.htmlsi=vosUJ8uXBZqVx9mI
Pull the valve stem core and fill through the valve. I do this to ALL my pneumatic utility tires. Some have been good for more than a decade now.
How long do they take to cure that way? I recently tried it on a tube and after a few days it was all still gooey inside the tube.
@@GanderFlight with the Spray Foam I used, it wasn't Great Stuff Big Gap Filler, but it was some other brand's large gap filling Spray foam, it's not gooey anymore, I had the same problem you had with the wheelbarrow tire with the foam gushing out, I didn't spray water in it at all, I'll try Great Stuff Big Gap filler next, because it seemed to work perfect for your wheelbarrow tire, I got a mountain bike as a backup, for in case I can't afford to put gas in my automobile & I don't wanna mess with flat tires, I seen online somewhere, you can get foam inserts for bike tires though.
Smart! Thanks for tip!
That’s what I said!
Im sorry, are you saying you used spray foam and it lasted a decade? I hope you share more information.
With the 1st tyre you inserted the tube all the way in and extracted it as you dispensed the foam. Maybe that made a difference.
I like air because you can bounce the barrow over rocks bricks as on a building site which helps the momentum of heavy loads.
Thanks for watching! You might enjoy the additional testing I did here: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
Thank you sir, brilliant demonstration, i have tried and failed attempting this on a zero turn tire, i will try the big gap instead of " original "
Had a valve stem on a tire tube come off on a tiller. I went to my local hardware store and purchased black big crack fill product. Want to note that if you are looking to do this DIY repair a.) for tubeless tires, poke holes as this video instructed. b.) for tubed tires, air the tub up and let it out a few times to seat and stretch the tube. then remove the valve stem and fill it up! put valve stem back in immediately after filling and wait about 8 hours. Very happy with this!
I tried filling a tube and it did not set up for me, even after a few days.
I told my lady to go get some black big crack fill and I never saw her again, thanks a lot.
ua-cam.com/video/7zmQl3KTy0Y/v-deo.html to see details on two part foam and successful test results
What if you keep wheel on its axle and used low centrifugal force by spinning slow to compress the air in the foam?
Might help - interesting idea.
I used the regular Great stuff on my riding mower rear tire. I drilled four holes. I have a small flat spot that can easily be filled but I've been using it for two years now and it's holding 190 plus pounds. I'm satisfied.
I've been testing this out on a riding mower myself - both a front and a rear tire. I've had similar results with the rear tire - it definitely is a weight ratio - there is significantly more foam in a rear riding mower tire and therefore holds up better/longer.
I probably wouldn’t do this on a riding lawnmower tire. When you finally have to replace the tire, you’ll have to replace the rim too.
My lawnmower tires hold air just fine
@@GanderFlight RZR we
How did it hold up?
@@MichaelMantion I'm still using it. I have one area that has softened a bit. I suppose of I shoot some in that area it would help. Granted I wanted to try it as an experiment. It works ok , but now I think it's time for all four to be changed.
Crazy awesome way to go. The cheap tires and tubes on my hand truck keep going flat because the tires
are full of small jagged holes (cheap garbage overseas stuff) that rub holes into the tubes.
So thanks for the video, you know how I'll be fixing these tires.
Let me know how it works out for you!
This is worth trying for me. I have several tires to fill on carts, wheel barrows, and a dolly. I was going to buy new tires and rims but this is worth a try for how easy and cheap it is.
Its not a silver bullet - it will break down over time, so if they're used for heavy loads or used a ton this might not be the right path - but if its light infrequent use you'll probably get another season out of them.
I just had some issues with flat wheels and this is a very appropriate solution. Thanks.
👍
Thank you for doing this experiment and sharing your experience.
It has taught me to just go ahead and purchase the airless tires with a coupon at Harbor Freight. Not much more expensive than a can of foam. The airless tires will probably hold up better over time as well.
To each their own.
Thanks
I will agree that the airless tires are the better long term option. I was curious to know if this would work and decided to try it out. Being that the airless tires are five times more expensive than a can of spray foam it all depends on how much you want to spend and how often you use the item.
@@GanderFlight
From my research I have found that harbor freight sells 6”-10” airless tires for under $9 each. My favorite 13” airless tire can be bought for $22. This does not include any promotional pricing or any of the harbor freight 20% or 30% off coupons, which is the only way to shop at HF.
The Large Gap Great Stuff costs between $7-$13 in my area. That’s about as much as a single tire.
Now I don’t know if your can was used prior to this video, but this video only showed that the one can only filled 1 1/2 tires.
Buying new tires are only slightly more expensive than using the spray foam UNLESS you have a couple of cans sitting around that just need to be used.
Granted the larger 13” airless tires are going to cost about twice as much, with discounts, as a can of spray foam. But the longevity, the hassle and the mess would still make me consider to pony up 2x as much for the airless tire rather than for the foam.
I really do appreciate you sharing this video. It gave me information to make my decisions on. Granted others might arrive at a different conclusion to save a dollar or two, but I would rather buy the new tire than go through the other process. Everyone is different though. I prefer to place new tires on my vehicles whereas some might choose to save a few $$ to buy used tires. To Each Their Own.
Thanks again.
And the airless ones don't rot away in 6 months. Those small tires they sell are not rubber, and are total junk. Leave them outside for a few months and they fall apart. Switched to the foam tires and won't go back. The extra few dollars is totally worth it.
As soon as I seen you open the truck bed, I just knew you were going to grab a wheelbarrow. Mines always flat. Going to try this. Thanks
Good work man! Good creativity and pretty simple and quick fix - I wish I saw this video a couple days ago.
I pulled out the original inner tube and fixed three holes that I found and it was airtight. Then, when I went to install the fixed inner tube back into the tire, my tires are super tight and there's not much give at all so it was a struggle and I ended up creating two huge holes into the fix inner tube as I was putting it back. Total headache.
So now I'm in the process of installing a brand new inner tube that I got for $15 today and being extra cautious that I don't pop it this time.
If I somehow end up popping this brand new inner tube with installation (after throwing the dolly across the garage) I'm just going to scrap it and use your method because my frustration is boiling up close to 11 - as my patience is going down.
Here's to the new tube working, regardless, good video, thanks.
Tip for installing innertubes - only put in enough air to juuuuust hold the shape - then put it into the tire and mount. After everything is lined up - then fill the innertube up to pressure.
Also baby powder helps tremendously.
This will be the perfect solution to all the flat tires on my garden hose cart. There is no way I am putting the money into fixing them right as it wouldn't be worth it. Thank you for the video!
Here is some follow up testing: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
@@GanderFlight Interesting! So what we really need is a product on the market that dries much harder, something maybe epoxy based but still able to be sprayed into a tire. Thank you for the research!
This gives me an idea for offroad wheels for a powered dirtboard. Thank you for doing the experiment for me
I doubt itll work for that application- too heavy and too fast.
Thinking the same thing bud.
Go fur it dare devil 😈 😂 but you got to post the vid once you do the test
Every time I tried the foam and I drilled all those holes the phone would be pouring out of the holes I drilled I noticed yours all stayed inside the tire amazingly
Interesting - thanks for adding your experience to the conversation - its an interesting experiment for sure.
Pretty handy,smart idea .Harbor freight is way cheap for wheel tire combos,in those sizes.About same cost as several cans of foam at home depot.
Haven’t been able to find those options with 3/4” axles like they are on my garden cart. But theyre great options if they fit for sure!
Yes only if harbor freight wheel is of a hard type if not it to will eventually go flat hence buying another wheel so spray foam would pay for it’s self.
@@carnut7436 they carry both types.
And it all depends on what you’re using it for. Regular use or heavy loads? This is not the solution.
@@GanderFlight totally correct.With hand dollies,carts,generally a hard foam injection may hold up and have integrity at 200 lbs.After that,it may break down?
After you drill the holes it is no longer a void ,but very glad to watch this , I was thinking of doing same ,but wasn't thinking of drilling holes. Glad I came across this video ,thanks and hv good day nice shop
Right on, thanks for the kind words.
Big-gap being less sticky, expands pretty evenly in all directions.
The others are skin forming, which directs expansion towards the path of least resistance; upwards, column-like, in this case.
Where foam met water inside tyre also likely to be a factor. Met water on tyre wall adjacent to spray point > faster curing / met no water immediately above spray point > slower curing > less resistance > easier to expand in this direction.
Sounds like a solid theory Thomas. Here's some additional testing: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
I did it on my walker tires with inner tube. I used the one for cracks. What a mess. Few spots maybe 1"-2" it worked rest came out and a mess.
Inner tube is the question. I need to try on my 4"x13" mobility scooter tires also inner tube. Maybe cut out valve stem with some inner tube and glue it to rim?? What do you think. Also use wife gap foam.
If the expanding foam is polyurethane type I think the differences between the types (gap filling, door & window frame and big gap filling) are to do with the fluidity of the polyurethane element and the Diisocyanate (this creates the bubbles) being varied in order to create different properties (frame filling you're trying to create a seal so the urethane is more sticky but fluid, big gap is just to fill a void so is less fluid but more "gassing" agent) as the application would require.
Ah! Thanks for the insight.
Tractor Suppy sells small wagon.
Tires that are foam filled .
Never took one apart, they work well.
Was going to try to use foam on some i have.
Thanks for your video
The big gap foam made sense to me because I thought it would take less cans. It doesn't set up hard like the small gap. You see the flexible foam they pack some new products in for shipping. That's the big gap foam. The shipping foam that breaks when you try to bend it is the small gap foam. The big gap will hold up and won't crumble but the tire will be flat.
Interesting thoughts...
So how do you use it effectively as to make a softer ride but not be flat?
learn every day I made the mistake of jacking around and moving the tire around thinking the foam would expand more but that's not the case when the foam has to cure and add water that I didn't read clearly just to make time go faster filling the flat tires in a hurry
Here's some additional testing: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
I did this about five years ago. It worked fine for about a year, then it started breaking down into a powder and became useless. But, my business required me to fill it with concrete multiple times daily, which really put it through the test. So for a normal wheelbarrow, it would probably be fine for years longer.
Wow, I'm impressed that it lasted that long!
So I wonder if the one that has a bit of stretch and bounce would last longer, wow one yr...that's not long.
I wonder if you pulled the valve core and used the regular stuff in the tube if it work work also ?
@@justinsvidz Yes, you have to pull the valve core to get the product inside. But first you need to drill multiple small holes all around the tire so the product can expand properly. Otherwise you will end up with a flat spot on part of the tire. When you drill the holes in the tire, make sure it is just large enough to insert the clear tube into, that comes with the spray foam. Start by filling through the valve core until it begins to come out a couple holes, then go to the opposite side and fill the tire the rest of the way. Just make sure you have product coming out all the holes. The holes need to be half way from the tread, to the rim, on the valve core side. Lay the tire on its side with the holes and the valve core up. Once product is coming out all the holes let it set up till the next day. If by chance you do have a soft spot, or void, the drill a hole in that area, and fill the void.
Glad I seen this video. Will try on my riding mowers two rear tires that are shot and won’t hold air
ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
Guys. Don’t even think about it. I was tempted but so many fails, crushed foam, were the end result. I bought tubes for all my tractor tires, and I’m glad I did. No mess. No fuss.
Just another option - this would be a great option for folks just looking to get one more season out of their tires or for someone who only uses the tires occasionally.
Did this to my pull behind wagon. Had it full of top soil numerous times. Im now replacing the foam 8 years later! Came here to see if there was new stuff. Used closed cell foam had no issues.
so what kind of spray foam worked ?
You can foam fill tires, but you need tire foam... there's a specific foam they make specifically for tires.
I did this a few years back to my pull behind lawnmower trailer but I used the regular spray foam & it worked pretty good but after watching this I might pull it off the rim & put in the big gap foam. Thanks for the video. 👍🏻👍🏻
Take a look here at some additional testing: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
@@GanderFlight thanks for the link, as I said mine worked ok but I put front tires from a riding mower on my trailer & filled one with foam & after about two years it got a flat spot in it, I guess from sitting. But I do appreciate the link you sent it helps on future decisions, I'll just buy a tube next go round.
I found the same. Not too worried about foam breaking down over time, still cheaper to just do it over. I've done moving dolly and cart for Oxy/acetelene as I was so fed up with inflating tyres every time I wanted to use either. The big gap filler is best.
How long do you go before having to add more foam?
appreciate you for taking the time to seek out just the right product. and things like the drilling of the holes; you have made my mistakes for me and i thank you!
Here is a follow up video you might enjoy: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
You only need 4 holes on a wheelbarrow tire .I make my holes so they are a snug fit on the filler straw.I then fill in one hole until the foam starts coming out of the holes on either side of the filler hole.I then put a tire plug in the filler hole .then I top off the holes on either side of the filler hole and then I put tire plugs in them.that leaves the last hole witch I top off with the foam and I leave this hole open so the great foam can expand and vent .I gave never had a tire not fill completely and I never had a tire blow up using this method .
I think that because you're putting the Great Stuff into all of the holes, it is preventing the air in the tire from being pushed out by the Great Stuff. I would recommend putting the tire vertically and then putting the Great Stuff in the lower half and let it push (expand) into the top half. The air should push out and fill the entire tire.
I think you are correct- I didn’t leave any venting holes.
I'm using this for an old wheelbarrow for gardening, I'm sure it'll be fine.
Here I was thought I was being witty and using foam, I go to UA-cam and see good minds think alike!
Its a pretty fun idea - not a permanent solution, but it'll get you by for awhile.
When filling up with foam, put the can upside down so you don't loose air pressure. The contents come off better with the can upsidedown.
When you're using any under pressure content out and you see air only coming out, turn it upside down, because some contents like foam and R410A, inside the containers, don't have a line going to the bottom, so the air will go up in them, and the content under pressure will go down. So upsidedown them.
Also when you shake them you'll feel the content in the bottom.
Here's some additional testing: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
I'll tell you which one works the one that's catalyzed. spray can foam requires the opportunity to dry from evaporation and it can't do that in a closed space.
Years ago, we had a 1 bag cement mixer on tires, got tired with the tires running flat every so often, decided to fill the tire with cement, never had a flat after that
👍👍👍
3:38 I believe the difference is, with the ‘big gap filler’ you installed the filler tube almost all the way into the tire, and then pulled it out slowly as you filled the cavity. You did not do that with the other two cans. You just installed the tip, and began filling. Which of the three products was the most dense?
Who knows, that might have something to do with it.
Yes. If you only insert the tip, the foam stays near the opening. The air inside has nowhere to escape. So the foam just expands outward.
I wonder if this stuff would slide along the interior of the tire with some kind of wax or something. I'd find something to help the foam slide in there. Then put the tire back on the rim & drill one or two holes & try to work fast when loading the foam. I wonder if you take that valve thing out of you could use the stem for one of the holes. Then watch for the foam at the other opening. Huh? So what do you seal it with? That tough windshield sealant?? Or put it where you can patch the hole with rubber strands??? I can't understand how this stuff takes such weight on it🤔, eh?
@@lindakleckner215 m2waessz-'
If you put foam in every other hole it would give the foam room to expand. Putting foam in each hole makes the foam compress the air and it pushes itself out the holes. Great video!
Correct, lesson learned!
@@GanderFlight great video! Truly enjoyed! New sub
Thanks!
This is an outstanding comparison of multiple product variants. I have been looking for a solution due to having multiple 8-10 inch tires failed, and a cost of around $14 each for new ones (plus labor to install). Can't wait to try this!
👍
I put big gap filler in my wheel barrow tire about 3 years ago to avoid spending 30$ or more on a new one. It still works today! A couple flat spots, but only slightly noticeable when I have 160 lb. Of concrete mixed in it. I sprayed through the valve stem hole, and followed up a day later to fill any voids with a drill bit and more big gap filler.
Thats impressive! Here's some additional testing: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
Thanks Joshua, a decent test and well presented.
Glad you liked it!
I have a small garden trailer that needs this!
Definately willing to try. Buying a solid 30-50 dollar tire has always been my trick
Watch some additional testing here: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
Did the same thing on our pasture wheelbarrow tire 5 years ago, it's still going strong! This thing gets used daily to clean out horse stalls and hauls a lot of crap, literally.
Whoa - that’s impressive!! What foam did you use? And it hasnt broken down yet!?!!!!
@@GanderFlight big gap filled, and it hasn't yet.
Great quick fix to keep you going...of course a never flat tire is the end game...but I'd do this for a tire that won't hold air to get it through another season...good thinking.
Absolutely not a silver bullet - spot on - it'll get you another season or perfect for light and infrequent use.
I would never buy a never flat tire again for a wheelbarrow though. At least not for moving concrete all the time. I feel like they suck and they're really tough to push when you're doing constant wheelbarrows
And moving concrete is a perfect scenario to be keeping up with a pneumatic tire.
Would like to see if the tire foam works in the long run. Great experiment
Stick around - I have some longer term testing currently on going with a garden trailer and a riding mower!
Worked 2 years in my left side snow blower tire. Did not work on my riding mower. Harbor freight has replacements for about 20 bucks. My experience is just buy the tubes for 10 bucks. The cheap way always costs 10xs in time and experimenting. Also remember if you do this to riding mower tires it makes a mess of the rims.
I did this 3 years ago on 4 flat, balding garden dump trailer tires. They're still bald but they haven't gone flat yet, and the trailer gets used almost every weekend from mid May to November to haul grass clippings, dirt, rock, and firewood.
Hi Joshua, hope you are well. I've been thinking about doing this to my wheelchair tyres but this is the first time i've seen it tried. Thanks for sharing. Stay safe and keep up te good work. :)
I would NOT suggest this for wheelchair chairs- the weight to foam ratio is not high enough and you will see poor results almost guaranteed.
Its easy to see why your thinking of doing this, £20 for 1 quality 4 ply tyre, or £60 for 1! Exactly the same tyre but with the proper foam. I want to try the 2 part foam as it looks like thats what they use, as the other comment says, its a lot of weight and not much tyre on the ground!
Aright bud am sure yer just hayin people on wee at ein ae
@@Matt-be8vq Sorry, Matt. You lose. Too bad. Real shame...I use a powered wheelchair. PS. Need to brush up on yer Scots there, by the way. 🤣✌
@@peem1244 fit y is at like cuz it no spelt tae yer standers lol. Power on bud
When it comes to sprayfoams there's all varying densities. The strongest of conventional canned sprayfoams is actually the insect resistant formula for whatever reason it's the most dense of ones you can buy from the big box stores (Lowe's/HD). Window stop is low expansion low density so it's the weakest kind. If you go outside of the conventional you can get construction adhesive grade spray foam, which is the opposite of the window foam in that it's high density low expansion. It is the hardest grade spray foam in a can available and its made to adhere almost all construction materials (plastics,metals,wood,etc) and hold them to maybe 800-1000lbs of adhesion strength. If you continue to go outside of this you can get higher density 2 part foams for car chassis reinforcement, composites, and marine applications. These are incredibly hard and can hold significantly more weight per square inch and areas hard as a rock when cured. The heaviest that I'm aware of for 2 part foams go up to 20lbs per square foot and could probably hold hundreds if not thousands of pounds given enough volume material.
Yeah I'd love to experiment with some of those 2 part foams!!! Here's some additional testing: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
I'm looking to use spray foam to fix old broken basement window I have steel plate I was gonna use foam in-between think good idea?!
Just need to last yr or so
I didn't know most of what you said so MANY thanks for your your input bro 👍😎👍
there are some foam out there nowadays that can lift broken sunken concrete slabs. I think it has 6000 pounds of weight support capability. Look it up.
Expanding foam, whether open or closed cell, does not rebound when compressed. It crushes under a load and stays crushed.
Expanding foam rubber (like weatherstrip material) is what you want, but that is an industrial process not available in cans at the big box store.
Yeah I'd love to experiment with some of the foam rubber! Here's some additional testing: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
Have you thought about putting the tire on a axle amd filling it then spinning it so everything would like even out?
Haven't tried that - the foam expands quite a bit on its own. Give it a try and let me know your results!
Living in an area with alot of mesquite, I used the cheapest foam lowes had on my zero turn. Has been holding up well for 4 years now.
Foam and air? Thats quite impressive. Here's some additional spray foam tire testing here: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
I was just fixing to try this myself, but I got the regular. So I am going to take it back, and exchange it for the one you used.
Let me know how it works out for you!
@@GanderFlight lock tight makes a closed cell expanding foam, I wonder if that would work better?
Several folks have suggested that too - I don’t know- maybe I’ll give it a try.
You must use 'closed cell' spray foam. Closed-cell is much firmer than open-cell, that should stop it crushing as easily. Closed-cell is also waterproof. Open cell will suck up water and destroy the foam. I suggest using a long filler tube and filling though the valve hole.
Tried the valve stem - it never quite cured for me: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
I’ll try it with The Big Gap and spray water before filling tire. Thanks!
Let me know how it works out for you!
When we first got out rural country property I couldnt believe how many flats my lawn tractor & equipment
was getting. Our property is stink with Himalayan blackberry's. The Himalayans are bigger & sweeter than
domestic US blackberries but they have vicious big thorns & fat vines. They were puncturing my tires. I got
some Green Tire Slime. It worked so good I slimed all my tires on all my equipment and now I cant
remember the last time I had a flat or even a leak.
!
Nice! I've used that slime on my bicycle tires and agree it does work!
Hey guys. Just some words of advice, from experience. I live in New Mexico, which has "goatheads" that are dime sized stickers that easily pierce ANYTHING, and I couldn't keep my riding mower's tires full of air. Coming from New Jersey I wasn't prepared for goatheads, and had never heard of them, so I initially bought brand new tires (2×18in & 2×10in). Well, it was an expensive mistake. So I began searching UA-cam for ideas when I saw someone use sprayfoam. First, no disrespect but adding "moisture" is meant for wood NOT METAL; keep in mind sprayfoam isn't intended for tires but gaps within your home. That said, i feel it's a bad idea spraying water into a tire that sits on a metal wheel; you're asking for rust.
Another thing to point out is, when you fill a tire with air it typically requires a bit of PSI. So if a tire won't pop off the rim with air then...? Additionally, only drill enough so the tube of the foam fits. Unfortunately, sprayfoam doesn't always fill every "crevice" inside so after the foam has had time to cure if there are flat spots, or voids, you may be forced to drill extra holes so as to re-spray. Final words, sprayfoam doesn't do well in the sun or heat and will get brittle. So you may need to touch them up each season.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Dan! I'm not terribly worried about the amount of water that was sprayed into the tires. A few summer days and it'll evaporate through those holes.
@@desertsasquatchxploration1568Sorry to hear that you were "introduced" to goat heads like you were. I feel your pain, literally. I'm wheelchair bound and to top it off I'm short lol so instead of getting those goat heads on my feet I get poked, jabbed, etc on my hands and arms.
This is a great idea. Im in lawn service and I have the same issue. I will try this
Might not be the ticket for heavy duty use. I’m currently testing it a bit more long term in a yard trailer and a riding mower, but don’t have results yet.
Funny to see we a ll had tge same idea. I ended buying a nre hard wheel from harbour freight. I used the wrong foam when i did it last year.
👍 That's the best long term solution.
Thank YOU! suggestions:
1. Leave camera on while drying overnight and high-speed playback to watch the foam squeeze out. (just for fun)
2. Compare cost of new tire to cost of foam...
Fun suggestions! The timelapse would be pretty cool!
So, did it hold up after a couple months of usage???
I ended up doing a part 2 on these tires and tested them to failure by loading a trailer with a max load of weight in water. However, I've had several folks reach back that did it on front tires of riding mowers and have had good results.
I'd suggest using the valve stem after removing the valve. A dowel can be used to prevent back flow. Next time I'll spread bacon grease over the tire to make clean up easier. Gloves and eye protection are a must. I drilled two holes and used a can of spray that was old, 12 years past expiration date printed on the can.
Here is some additional testing: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
My analysis of your work: Well made video. However you could modify the procedure slightly to accommodate the expansive property of window and regular foam, for the purpose of completing the test experiment. For instance, You can make only one hole and pull out the valve stem. Then while filling at the valve stem opening, orient the drilled hole to the highest point so foam only comes out when the bottom has been filled. And, I would drastically reduce air flow by running a threaded bolt into the hole, then just to be sure, I'd spin the tire vigorously to spread the product. Then, let it work overnight curing. Now, you'd be able to compare the ride qualities of the various foams. Great video, I will definitely do this. TY
Interesting idea -- I think the bolt protruding out the tread to plug the hole would be obtrusive. Here's some additional testing: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
Looks like the Big Gap Filler is the way to go. Subscribed!
Here's some additional testing: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
I got spray foam to work on a tire before but the foam crushed with weight and I had flat spots in the tire. Just put a tube in it. It was a pain to get the foam to expand as you can imagine not much air inside a small tire.
Correct - not a magic solution. This can work to get an extra season or two on a light duty application.
@@GanderFlight what about an electric scooter?
No I don’t think thats a good use either.
@@GanderFlight I thought so
I tried to fill a much smaller tire with silicone , but I had the advantage of a split rim . first attempt was not great but taking it apart and spreading the sidewalls and adding more silicone worked well enough to hold up my PTO finishing mower. Plan to do all four , eventually when they go flat.
How lol. Like bathroom silicone.
You're not the first person to comment about silicone. Interesting. Here's some additional testing: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
How has it held up so far thinking on doing it on my riding mower
I don't personally use it much but I've had several folks reach back that have tried it on the front wheels of riding mowers and have been please with the results.
I did that once and the tires were not bouncy at all. Also tried it on my VW 1971 Super Beetle and the seats were hard as a rock. For the tires better to spend $5 for a Green Slime inner tube.
Foamed up my cub cadet riding mower 2 years ago. It’s still doing it’s job.no flats at all
I am gonna do this with these tires on a 16" bike wheel to make it tubeless. I am excited to try this.
I don’t suggest it - won’t hold up very long at the speeds a bicycle travels at. You can check out more testing here: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
Defo not a good idea' your best to use silicone based tubeless tire sealant £12 a bottle and after doing a 29" tyre you should still have some left when it's needed to be topped up
Need to spin the wheels for a while to evenly distribute the foam while its still fluid.
Might help, really would depend on the size of the tire and where you put the foam in.
I don't think so. If you've used the stuff, it almost immediately turns to an airy fan and has almost no liquid properties. I think you would have to spin the tire at a very high rpm to even out foam. If the tire is full, there is nothing to even out so when it spins,, I think you would just cause a good amount to escape through the drilled holes...
2 or 3 years ago I finally gave up on my Forever Flat WB tire. Found a No Air tire on Tractor Supply website. It has worked and been reliable ever since. BUT, it cost $28 or 30 bucks! Imagine todays price! I had the same FOAM the damn thing thought, but did not want to throw away the dollars on my iffy hunch. This video now takes the Iffy out of my hunch. As a retired contractor, I would have used the max expanding stuff also. Now to that 4 wheeled yard cart that is always flat....
Here's some additional testing: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
I've done this with great success. Little difference, I drilled through the tread and sprayed the foam perpendicular to the wheel. If that makes sense!
It does make sense. Can I ask what application you used it on? Its not a magic solution and doesn't last forever, but it'll get you another season or two depending on usage.
@@GanderFlight I fixed a dolly cart, and an atv trailer I use for hauling fire wood in the mountains while camping. It worked well enough on the dolly, I used it on the trailer before the tire went flat, so it wouldn't go flat while out in the mountains
i did this on a sit on mower 4 years ago and its only just given up so id say that was a success
Impressive! Here's some additional testing: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
Every time the wheel turns with weight on it, a little more foam will get ground into dust.
You need to use a wheel once, fine, squirt some foam in it.
If you need to to use it again next week and the week after, you will soon find that fixing it right is much cheaper.
Yes, a solid tire replacement is the best long term solution.
Yep I totally agree with everything you said
@JIMMY HENDERSON It absolutely depends on what wheel you use it in and how you use it. I did a follow up video and it is definitely not appropriate for certain applications. ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
pay the man or face the consequences.
I think the point of this is the person that uses the wheel barrel a couple times a year, No need to spend a ton of money on a solid tube or an inner tube that will leak or puncture. i would like to now how well it holds up year after year. I do agree the foam will break down, but how fast and severe.
Did you leave tube in ???? How is valve still there ?
Great 👍🏽👌🏼👍🏽 fix
These were tubeless tires just like a car tire. Here's some additional testing: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
Thanks for the video! I thought about doing something for my old broken down wheel barrow that I got for free. It's pretty rusty so cheap fix is all I'd do. Not worth the time and energy for a new tire or tube.
Sound like the perfect opportunity to give this a try. Let me know your results!
Got one of the first genesis neck knives of Patrick's through Jack Spiro. It's STILL beyond razor sharp!!
Patrick at MT Knives makes quality knives for sure!
Appreciate your experiment. ❤️
👍 Thanks - was interesting to see the results. Not a long term solution but could get you by another season or two.
I've been meaning to try foam for many years. Nice to see the video and read some of the comments. I think I'll try using the valve stem, and not drill any vent holes. I think it may not matter if it cures inside the tire, just as long as it steals leake. l would put the stem up, then alternately add foam and release the pressure until foam comes back out, and finally, reinstall the core. Or, alternatively, leave the core out and give the foam a few weeks to cure. I have used rigid foam in a cooler lid, with only one big hole to put foam in, and several tiny vent holes to allow the air to be purged, and it took a long time to cure. But it did eventually become rigid. I have made my own tire sealant as well. I used acrylic latex plus silicone caulk (aka alex plus) and blended it with water and a couple of paper towels (the fibers help to plug leaks, I think) until it was a just pourable slurry consistency. I pumped a bunch into my lawnmower tires, and it even sealed up the cracked sidewalls. Worked for at least a couple of years, and if need be, I'll add more. Commercially available Tire Slime works great, but I consider it too expensive to be using that much. I'd figure on a tube or two of the caulk per tire, depending on size and location of the leaks. So much cheaper than new tires, and so much easier than tubes.
Here's some additional testing: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
i just bought a solid tire and moved on. it even came with new bearings so Im done thinkin on it for a decade
That is absolutely the best (and most expensive) option.
@mookie wilson What does that have to do with DIY? I think you missed the whole point of the video.
Nice
This video convinced me to spend the extra money to save the time
Works for me
I used spray foam on my snow shovel handles ! I put wire hanger wire in them like rebar in cement for strength !! It works GREAT !! Now i need to find other heads in garbage to replce as the handle pipe will last forever !! I want to use on poles of car canopy tents !! Hanger or other wire for rebar is key !!
Thats a pretty cool idea to fill the hollow handles!
I did this on cart tires, I used about 3 to 4 cans per wheel. I think t could have bought a new wheel and tire for the cost of the foam. Try Harbor Freight or Rural King. Just got two new wheels and tires for $12.99 plus tax each. They also sell foam filled tires for a little more money. I also had gaps and had to add more and it breaks down over time with a load on it.
I got some harbor freight castor wheels and they never deburred the valve stem holes so it cut through the tubes that were in them. I can put in New tubes, but I have to take them apart and fix the communist apathy that assembled them the first time.
It does break down over time agreed. All depends on what you're using it for - small tires on light duty use and you could get another season or two out of them. When you're having to buy a case of spray foam I definitely concur - just buy new tires.
@@michaellowe3665 Made in China, that's Harbor Freight for ya.
Wonder what would happen if the rim was removed or one bead separated, fill the tire with foam in sections with the tire standing on its thread then rotate and fill so you can monitor how much foam to apply and reduce air gaps. As the foam expands the second bead could mount itself. Sound like a lot of work but less foam gaps. You're blindly not controlling the fill. What a great run flat idea, at stock the tire's thread surface plies doesn't reduce long nail punctures!
Thanks for watching! You can check out additional spray foam tire testing here: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
on some thing that you dont put weight on it may work .ive tried it on riding lawn mower tires .lasted about an houre
Best suited for light duty and infrequent use items.
The window door is designed to not apply pressure to the frame so that the door or window still operates after you foam it. It doesn't expand as much and it creeps and runs to the negative pressure point. Which is why once it hit the walls of the tire it continued to grow out so it doesn't create pressure.
Exactly not what you want in this scenario.
Big gap would be the best option if this is what you want to use but I think it's going to break down fast cause it will crush under pressure.
I would suggest just using fix a flat. To get the same effect
👍
The foam I tried was I think was called Great Stuff I got from Lowes and Home Depot.seemed to work until the lawn tractor set awhile. Then when you started using the tractor it would rock you to sleep. The big gap foam was too soft. Neither could support weight for long. My problem is hedge thornes. There may be a foam that works
None that I have tried
Thanks for that insight !
It's something I've wondered about. Thanks.
My dad did this about 17 years ago...We were working on a hardware store roof that had a flat roof in the back. We tore off the roof and had nails everywhere. we were using a wheelbarrow to move trash shingles from one end of the roof to the other....Somehow He made an attachment that screwed into the tire stem. We filled the tire through the stem...we pushed the barrow with about 10 nails sticking out of the tire, but never had to worry about a flat...I cant remember what we used, but I think it may have been the end from a "fix a flat" can.....then attached it to the spray foam can somehow.
Wow - thats impressive! Do you recall how long you let it cure?
I wonder if you could use the tube that comes with fix a flat to put the foam in thru the valve stem.
Check Northern Tool...they have airless tires already set up.
Your idea is good if the wheel is left on the barrow. ie, labor saving.
👍
𝗧𝗜𝗣! Use a release spray ( a chemical used to prevent other materials from bonding to surfaces. Without such a barrier in place, the substrate would become fused to the surface, (tire etc. ) resulting in difficult clean-up and to make the cleaning the process easier. ) Such as WD40 or any silicone sprays. Or even take some cooking oil, vaseline or even motor oil.Just coat the tire first with a rag before you use the spray foam.🤙🏼
That is a great tip! Thanks Randy!
Thats pointless because by the time you need to change the rubber tire the rim's so far gone it wont matter anymore.
In fact you'll probably need to replace the equipment before the tire.
@@bobbg9041 at first I thought he was talking about the inside also but he's talking about clean up. But he is talking about coating the outside.
Since you bought a new tire/rim I would have just added the Green Slime. The major issues is mostly thorns and nails and Green Slime works great for this application.
👍🏻
i tried slime from the 1 gallon jug! never got good long term performance!
How about filling it with sand then seal it with foam
I'm not sure how well the foam would do at sealing it up. Give it a try and let me know!
good deal on the repair, I was lazy an left the tire on my riding lawn mower. used the regular foam drilled 4 1/4" holes (same size as straw) though the tread of tire didn't add water nothing happened my dry rot tire is still caved in in center of tread this after 24 hours. I only used one can my mowers tire is twice the size of the wheel barrow. thanks for making the video wish I'd sean it earlier.
Yeah it won't lift anything up. Also, here is some additional testing on my riding lawnmower: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
That kind of foam crushes over time and will eventually deform. Just try it next time you use it to seal something. Let it dry then push into it with your finger and it will crush and not return if the cells break.
I set a blob of this under my truck tire overnight. In the morning it was definitely flat with that much weight, but given a day it bounced back. All depends on what application you're using it for.
It's just like a flat tire,you fix it,put more air in it.Foam ,just refoam it. Just saying.
@@timstephenson8752 how are you going to get the foam to the spot that's flat if it's on the other side of the tire from the valve? The valve will be full of foam and you won't be able to get anymore in.
I'm going to try this on a snow thrower tire---I'll let you know how it goes. Thank-you for the step by step instructions it saved me potential fail. I'd heard about using the foam but, I was going to try to put it in thru the valve stem--after having removed the core. Here's a suggestion for you. The jugs of cat litter you used are pricy. Try using the bargain brand / generic litter. Add a little baking soda when putting it in the litter box. Hides odors and helps keep the box cleaner. $$$
This cat litter was the generic brand from Target :)
I mean you can get a tube for A few bucks off Amazon and a can of fixaflat. spray the fixaflat in the brand new tube. It will fill it up and it will be good for years and years. This foam is going to wear out with heavy use. We buy tire seal in the 5 gal bucket. For tires on things we don't use often we pump it in before it starts to leak. Get ahead of the problem. If you're buying a new cart deflate the tires and full them with fixaflat you'll thank yourself later
That's a great solution to add the tire seal to a brand new tube - thanks for sharing!
If you fill a new car tire with fix a flat it will have the roughest ride ever cause the tire will be out of balance and then you just put a flammable substance in your tire which will have the person that has to fix it flip out on you and refuse to fix it
@@JohnniePokemonNj well. You just made a whole bunch of assumptions in that one statement without knowing anything.
I don't put fixaflat in car tires I know how to change and or plug a tire. My comment was for wheel barrows, wagons and other things you don't use often. The tire sealer we use is in a 5 gal bucket and it's not flammable. And yes you are right about the last part. I do cuss myself when I have to deal with that nasty shit but it's worth it because it extends the life we get out of our implement tires without leaking.
@@JohnniePokemonNj did you even read my comment? carT, CART
I used a ratchet strap . Crunch the tire thru the center with strap and air up. I watch one do it thru the valve stem worked great
I tried through the valve stem on the next video in this series and it didn't cure well for me
Great video. But the way you flattened the tire on the ground, hung up the wheel barrow, then feigned surprise at finding the flat tire could qualify you to be a Hollywood film director.
😂🙄
Just having a little fun!
I have multiple tires. So I will be converting to the foam and trying it. Thanks I tc
Here's some additional testing: ua-cam.com/video/88ZYnSid3g4/v-deo.html
Interesting. Flat wheel barrel wheels are a real pain for me. I work for the Fairgrounds, so I'm always fighting them. I might have to try this. The other thing this would be good for is an Ice box. The reason Yeti and other expensive brands work better is that most ice boxes don't have insulation in the lids. Adding foam would make a big difference.
My only concern for you is that the push with heavy loads is nowhere near as nice with a solid tire than it is with a pneumatic tire. If you have a machine pulling then go for it - if its human powered try it out and see what you think based on how much weight you need to move around.
Buy a solid rubber no flat tire ends the problem
Don't worry about the top. The lid of any cooler is where the LEAST loss is. The bottom is where the most loss is. If you try to improve any place it should be there. Stick some foam or silver bubble insulation on the exterior bottom and maybe part way up the sides. That will do the most good.
@@joewoodchuck3824 I think you are right since cold air sinks, but I think the top heats up in the sun also. Insulation there would insulate against that as well.
@@MuskratOutdoors I can see the sun heating the top to an extent, but if the top is light colored that alone helps. Most coolers I've had were white in top. A piece of aluminum foil should remedy that. Additionally the cooler may be in the sun for a while each day but the cooler is working 24 hours. Coleman coolers are probably among the least efficient coolers. The Igloo I currently have is a noticeable improvement and doesn't cost an arm and a leg like Yeti. Ice isn't such a major expense that I worry about it much. If you have a cooler you're likely to have food that keeps eating at restaurants to some minimum. The cost of a single meal out can buy ice for a week or more.