foaming widowmakers
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Maryland
foaming widowmakers
Can anyone tell me the process for foaming a widowmaker rim and tire. I just heard of it recently. Does it prevent them from exploding. I just need something to get trucks up on the trailers and to roll around.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
I've never thought about foam fill. I did a Google search and found a lot of links about it. This makes it sound fairly simple. It says it's not really a good idea for large tires because it affects the ride, handling and wear of the tire but for what you want do with it sounds like it would work fine.
DIY Foam Filled Tires | eHow
Just drill a hole or two opposite the valve stem and fill away. It may take quite a few cans to do one big tire though and I know that stuff ain't cheap.
You might have some trouble doing this if you still have the inner tube in the tire.
DIY Foam Filled Tires | eHow
Just drill a hole or two opposite the valve stem and fill away. It may take quite a few cans to do one big tire though and I know that stuff ain't cheap.
You might have some trouble doing this if you still have the inner tube in the tire.
Marmon-Herrington Man
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Central Illinois
Might work, but I sure wouldn't put the truck on the road afterwards. It would also be a major p.i.t.a. to the unsuspecting tech that someday is asked to demount that tire for recycling. I guess the sawzall would come to the rescue then. Stu
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,511
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From: peyton, colorado
Foam filling is pretty common on some industrial applications. Most of the larger commercial tire vendors do it. It's often used on skid steers and front end loaders in areas such as salvage yards. Roofers and landscapers some times fill their wheel barrow tires as well. It's pretty expensive, about $30 for a wheel barrow tire, $600-$750 for a loader tire, IIRC. More expensive than the tire itself, but no down time for a flat.
To remove the tire when it's bald, I've seen a chain saw used. Cut the tire at a tangent to the rim, getting as close to the bead as possible, then cut the bead with a chisel. Mount the remaining 3/4 chunk of tire in a playground for the kids to climb on.
To remove the tire when it's bald, I've seen a chain saw used. Cut the tire at a tangent to the rim, getting as close to the bead as possible, then cut the bead with a chisel. Mount the remaining 3/4 chunk of tire in a playground for the kids to climb on.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Sounds like a good way to get some use out of the useless WMs but I know from using the stuff it takes a lot more than you think to fill the voids you want to fill. Doesn't take long to empty a can.
The article I posted pretty much gives all the positives and negatives in doing this.
The article I posted pretty much gives all the positives and negatives in doing this.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
I have had industrial tires professionally foam filled. I'm not sure how well it would work out for a truck tire for highway use but for general low speed around town use it might be a viable option for the widowmakers.
Bobby
Bobby
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Fleet Mechanic
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From: Maryland
I had 4 tires and rims that came on my truck that were beyond changing out. The big truck tire place that does my other WM said they wouldn't even fill them with air. They didn't want to take the chance of destroying their cage. I told him I just need it to get the truck on the trailer. he suggested foam since they were never going on the road.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
I kind of get the feeling the moderators are women, they seem to bring up things from the past 
I know, the moderators don't control old posts but I thought it was funny 🤣
I know, the moderators don't control old posts but I thought it was funny 🤣
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 959
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From: Newton Illinois
I had 4 tires and rims that came on my truck that were beyond changing out. The big truck tire place that does my other WM said they wouldn't even fill them with air. They didn't want to take the chance of destroying their cage. I told him I just need it to get the truck on the trailer. he suggested foam since they were never going on the road.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,891
Likes: 3,133
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
BTW, I made a post about this subject a few mouths ago about using some kind of foam filler for my yard art panel truck. It's been sitting in my driveaway through the winter with flat tires. In my case I just want to tires to look inflated while it's parked in front of my barn. I think I'll make something the hold the wheels off the ground by a half inch from the ground.
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