Who wants CTIS?

[Metcalf]

Could you please fill out this simple survey. I would like to forward this to a foreign company that may be able to produce a kit, or maybe someone will see this information and recognize the market.

Who wants a Central Tire Inflation System?

What would you pay?

What kind of vehicle do you have?

Do you already have an on board air system?

What air pressure range would you want at the tire?

What resolution would you want on the air pressure readings?

Any other thoughts and comments are welcome....

Thanks for your time.

[Metcalf]

well that is no fun!

Why would CTIS be lame? It seemed to really work well on the H1s that we had at the BLM in years back. I always wanted a CTIS system that could corner adjust and have resolution in the low single digits for snow 'wheeling. Some times the difference between 'go' and 'no-go' is only .5 to 1psi. Honestly, I would love to be able to adjust tire pressure on the fly!

I think being able to air up and down rapidly would save a lot of tire! How many times have you pushed the speed a bit when aired down just so you didn't have to get out and adjust the tire pressure. Being able to keep a leaking tire inflated would also be another bonus. Also, being able to have the tire pressure stay constant with heat, cold, and elevation could be another big bonus!

[chet]

we had a guy in our club with a hummer and it kinda worked. Not well and always had leaks. He put huge solid discs on his wheels to stop it from getting ripped off.

With a non portal axled vehicle I can't see it being done for anything even close to reasonable $$$.

[KG6BWS]

While I think the idea is an awesome one, and would love to be able to adjust my tire pressures on the fly, I'm gonna have to agree with Joaquin on this. I've never heard anything about CTIS other than its constantly leaking, constantly breaking, and is a royal pain in the rear to maintain. I also can think of a lot better things to spend that kind of money on. I already have onboard air, so it only takes me 15mins or so (with my crappy little $50 compressor) to air up. Down takes me about 10. I couldnt justify spending 3 or 4 k just to save myself 20 minutes. I also should mention, that in this case I would also rather keep my money in the US. Since there are already a couple of American companies working on this, I'd send my money to them rather than a foreign company.

Sorry to rain on your parade, but thats just my 2 cents.

[hinoranger]

Somewhat OT, anyone ever notice a lot of inter-city on-hightway passenger buses in Mexico being equipped with CTIS? maybe it was just the city I was visiting (Reynosa?) but seemed really common on the newer machines.

[ntsqd]

It isn't that the idea that is bad, it is the that execution within the pre-existing constraints sucks. If you can come up with a design with fewer leak paths and failure modes then you'd better replace your doormat with something industrial grade.

[Heimz]

Semi Trailers use Cat-Eyes Inflation and Equalization systems, they are tapped into the trailers air supply. Couldnt these be a starting point for adaptation?

[Metcalf]

It seems like the technology is out there from at least a handful of companies. I'm not trying to re-invent the wheel, but I have had some ideas on the subject over the years.

ntsqd mentioned that having less failure points was a good thing. To me, it seems like the sealing element for the air that allows rotation is the most fragile part of the system. ARB has been able to get around this over the years, but there rotary air seal is in gear oil all the time, and unless installed perfectly you get leakage.

I'm conflicted about the idea. On the one hand I like simple vehicles that are very reliable...kinda of a Tom Sheppard approach. On the other hand, I see the need for a product that fills a void. I know of a lot of people that either don't air down because of the hassle, or don't air up when they should because of the hassle. Both end up loosing in the end because you either break more parts not being aired down properly and generally get stuck much more often or you don't air up soon enough and risk tire damage, blowouts, etc.

For me, when I am in a 'hardcore' expedition/exploration/4wheeling setting I have had times that I generally have to air up and down a few times a day. Once is fine, but when you cover a lot of hard technical ground, I find that I have to go from highway pressure, to trail pressure, to snow pressure, than back to trail pressure, than back to snow pressure, etc.

Some of my bigger journeys with friends tend to combine multiple 'wheeling adventures into a single day.

In the end its only time and comfort that prevent me from changing air pressure. There is a part of me that thinks it would be really nice to be able to push a button on the dash to disconnect the sway bar and push another button to air down the tires. You would be ready to go exploring without having to get out of your nice clothes

[UHAULER]

It would be nice to have but the reality is most people couldn't or wouldn't spend their money on it.

[Jnich77]

Semi Trailers use Cat-Eyes Inflation and Equalization systems, they are tapped into the trailers air supply. Couldnt these be a starting point for adaptation?

I never once had a problem with those.