Venting rc crawler tires - Pros and cons of putting holes in your rc tires

Are vented or unvented tires best for rc crawlers? Find out the pros and cons of tire venting for rc crawling and trail crawling beadlocks with iron in a tire test. rc crawler tires at Amain - snp.link/4ed03c0c
Beadlock wheels on amain - snp.link/1e65e033

[@haydenwalker2430]

You are the kinda youtuber who speaks for the average joe and not the competition competer only, this was very helpful

[@DansRcAdventures]

I run with closed wheels and tyres on all my trucks I like water sometimes.

[@jimbonito9810]

Thanks for answering my question .... I will not be venting my tires ... Appreciate this very informative and thorough post on tire and wheel venting

[@CactusCrawlersRC]

I vent for two reasons, I take my vehicles up to the higher elevations a lot and rarely go into the water, secondly I have seen where the non vented tires will let air escape under heavy crawling conditions and now be "flat" until the bead is broken and let air back in. But that's me and I don't expect others to do their tires the way I do.

[@2006k6]

I’ve been un-venting for years. Good foam’s aren’t cheap in some cases just as expensive as the tires themselves. Love the channel. I am never at high altitudes and run in a lot of water at times.

[@asharc6145]

Agree with you, I use thinnest syringe needle for venting, soon as you take it out, tyre is sealed again.

[@twain772]

Ever since beadlocks came out I have been sealing my tires. Another big plus with sealed tires is you don't have to worry about your tires flat spotting on you. Just look at his trucks in the background, not a single one is sitting on some kind of stand.

[@andymac0035]

I run both. I normally run un-vented, with very soft or worn out foams. However, I have a few sets of tires that are well-used or no longer stay sealed. For those I have switched the tire foams out in favor of those large hair buns and then vented the tires. This works pretty good and lets the water run right out since there is no foam to hold it in. On my sealed tires since the foams are so soft the air pressure helps make the difference support-wise. I do indeed run at elevation, usually ending up at 3000ft with the mountain trails around here. It works out well, as the tires are softer where I need more comformity coming up through the woods and firmer up top on the rocks where all the steeper climbs are... where you DON'T want your rear tires folding up too much under weight transfer.

[@YoShImUrA53]

Vented rims with a small bit of masking tape covering the venting whole allows for the best of both worlds, being able to remove any pressure at any time you choose (and put it back in a clean surface, so the tape sticks and seals), yet protecting the wheels from getting water and dirt going in.

[@sitlos.]

Agree with u Francis. I went to unventing for the last few years and they still conform amazing. Maybe even better in some situations. Plus the foams stay like new. Glad ur coming over to the no vent side. Lol. Crawling tires no vent, bashing tires always vent! Great video once again. ✌️

[@RCReviewChannel]

Thanks for sharing

[@ericsrcexpeditions]

Well presented! My tires are currently unvented, and I have seen my tires puff up a lot in high altitudes to the point it rubs on the fenders.

[@MSArchery]

Long awaited video, Thank you! 😊

[@dsbrothers2898]

I'm new to crawling. Thanks for the the info. Much love from California.

[@cameronhancock9228]

I've found that by freezing, or cooling tires and rims before building non vented wheels, give you a degree of pressure. As they return to ambient temp, the internal air expands. Seems to work a treat.

[@madsrcbuggy]

Good info to me, I am new to this and it's useful to know. Unvented definitely! Less hassle, no need to worry about water! Thanks for this!

[@chrismurray2566]

man I love watching your channel, im working on my first trx4 kit,doing it budget style. your videos are very helpful and informative, thanyou. often I even turn your channel on and just listen while I'm at work. thanyou again.

[@billderas3420]

Considering that I run my crawlers at various locations from sea level to well over 7,000 feet (Sierra Nevadas), I always put vent holes in my tire treads. Have started testing the Ottsix Halo Web-Wrap 2-stage foams on my lighter rigs with good results. Their Web-Wrap outer conforming material doesn't degrade when wet like the outer rings of other manufacturers. Still using Proline 2-stage foams on my heavier rigs; but, the Halos may well become my go-to foams. Yes, their availability has been scant. Normally vent off-road race tires in the wheels; but, crawlers should be vented in their treads. Hope to see you at Axialfest at Donner where we can play with toy trucks from 7,000-7,750 feet.

[@rickgodsey3548]

Thanks for the explanation. I am brand new to all this. My RTR came with vented tires. I enjoy running in water and mud. The issue with water in the foam you talked about are exactly why I am considered switching to unvented. You have convinced me to. Thanks I hit the subscribe button because I watched some of your other videos and have learned a lot.

[@PetrolJunkie]

If the wheel has a hole inside of the rim you can plug it with a silicone gasket maker, it's easy to push out if you want the tires vented. I actually have both, depending on whether there is any water in the area where I want to drive. If there is, I use the non-vented tires. If there isn't, I use my vented wheels. The vented tires are a lot softer and mold to the terrain better and climb in places where the vented spin. Also, you can get closed sell foams and getting them wet is less of an issue.

[@davidsimpson363]

Appreciate this. I've been experimenting with both methods as well. I see the advantages (barely) in comp situations. I completely agree that for most of the time, when I'm just playing around at my local crawling/trailing place, it is unnecessary. And, as always, I appreciate your practical and thoughtful tips!

[@jamesbeyor6180]

I'm new to RC crawlers. Thank you for the info .

[@FLRCQUAD]

Unvented here in AZ, water is scarce were we rock crawl, great video, learned a lot from your videos keep them coming, I wished I knew what you forgot about RC Rock Crawling newbie, six months in the hobby, have six crawlers I never say this the last one especially to my wife LOL, have a house full of RC Airplanes too and Drones, RC is a radical habit but ton of fun!

[@BNIRc]

Always a ton of detail thanks

[@PhiddyPford]

I use CI foams. Eddie the owner tells us what to do. So I’ve always used two stage foams, vented tires, and live and run in the Everglades.

[@rcchris1467]

Yea, because if you keep venting and ruining your foams you have to keep buying more foam from Eddie.

[@MauzyrockRC]

Awesome thanks! I know several of the stock crawler rims i have came vented. I am extremely amateur so I taped them up. However for Bashing… venting is a must i’m told. especially where I am is always wet…

[@sagePerspective]

Ive done both! I do take my crawlers up in elevation often, so maybe thats why Ive noticed it as a little bit of a set back. Sometimes if they aren't vented they are extra bouncy, kind of eliminating the benefit of the softer foam on the outside of the 2stage.

[@13riding]

Great videos! Thanks for the info!

[@herbbates4713]

In Florida flatlands we block vents to keep sand out and plus you can squeeze some of the air out and then tape them off to pressure the tires down

[@ryurc3033]

I vent because I don't play in the water(got more tired of replacing bearings in everything than drying foams) and I locktite my scale lug nuts, and scale hubs, so it's not quite as easy to just let the air out.....but I'm the guy who did 20 different 1% mods for ultimate performance. Usually I agree with everything you suggest, besides overdriving the front. I just don't like dragging the back tires everywhere. The loss of grip on hill climbs was enough for me to switch back to double underdrive(front and rear for less torque twist)

[@mellomisfit]

I've vented my stock trx 4 tires but when I got aluminum bead lock rims I closed up the vent hole in the tire that I cauterize with a torch and broken turnbuckle piece and pliers. To close them I cut and used bicycle inner tube and tire glue to patch them from the inside and so far it's like I'm rocking 5psi with the weight and soft foams it's awesome. Tires also sound more scale too when screeching ahaha great video on pros and cons. Used to think venting was best for water and dirt in crawler application but not since I did some experiments my self. Great tip! 🤘

[@fernsolo]

I try to say this to everyone and they look at me like I'm crazy, not vented for me always 👍

[@jondoe6618]

You are CRAZY!!! haha. I run both.

[@robertopracht9748]

I made one small hole on the inside of my rims..plastick or alu beadlocks and made 3 mm tread in them and put 2 small grupscrews in the hole. Now I can choose wether to vent or not. Had a problem with my TRX Defender when it was snowing and I whent for a drive..( not vented) All my tires just crumbeld deu to the difference of temps in my house and outside.. So thats how I came up with this solution... Now in summer or winter I just bring my crawler outside and wait for like 5 minutes and just loosen the screw to allow the air in my tire to vent ,either more or less "" psi"" than just lock the screw and I'm oke for the hole trip.. Once home just do the same.... I just put the screw in at an angle so its super easy to do it with an alan screwdriver..... Workt super everytime...

[@jondoe6618]

I run both.In wet/winter my tires are sealed.Normally i just run my aftermarket beadlocks sealed.They work great!! I also have the cheap 2.2 inflatable ebay tires. I was actually shocked to see how good they really are. Just poke the needle in to vent air. Never actually used positive air pressure in them.

[@THEMASKEDMASTER]

✌🏻😎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Glued wheels- I cover all but one of the vents in the rim and I squeeze my wheels to push out some air then cover the last vent hole and that’s how I control how my tire conforms with glued wheels. I don’t vent the rubber itself on anything because it’s always wet or raining here. Bead locks - I undo a couple an do exactly the same as i do with glued wheels & then tighten them back up.

[@craigware2462]

Great information!

[@facetious_1]

Ran a set of beadlocks for 3 yrs straight. And still held air....drove through creeks, streams,the beach. Still holding pressure till i took them apart.

[@rcpayne6416]

I make my own foams, and keep atmospheric pressure only. A little denting from temps on cool mornings, but for me the best set up. Foams are expensive, so I look for all kinds of different foam, and cut it various shapes, widths, just whatever I can think of, then test it by driving. Gives me something to do. I think i have come up with a better idea, that works really well for me. Better than any foam I've actually had to buy. Tested by running same set up truck, and same lines over and over on testing course

[@Chaos4Eva1]

Tks great video and information. Good thing I watched this video cause I'm about to travel on an airplane so I better vent my tires before boarding. 😮

[@joeygodoy509]

I usually agree with you. But for me its better vented. Ive notice my tire dont grip as well at the peaks of stuff where that tire really need to form the rock. When in vented it don't allow it to form right.

[@RCReviewChannel]

Right on. It's all about your knowing the concepts and evaluating how it works out for you.

[@themuddydrifter135]

I have a few sets of both and usually I run sealed tires just because I have a pretty wet climate where I live but sometimes I will run a vented tire depending on what kind of crawling I am doing

[@pwrofgrayskull]

Great video, thanks for sharing your view and experience! Very helpful. Now that it’s well over two years later - what are your current thoughts?

[@carlscheps9379]

I just watched your video and i went to unvented about a month ago because I live in the pacific northwest were it rains alot and got tired of taking my tires a part to dry them out

[@nicolaemates]

Great info. On my 10th scale crawler I run unvented tires. On my 24th scale i vent the tires, because some have no foam and the mildest variation in temperature will deform the tire. And also, I don't get my 24th scale crawlers through water.

[@scuffleburgoutdoors]

No vents , low altitude for us ! Thanks for the video sir !

[@justsomeguywithayoutubepro1957]

I use vented wheels and put sticky tack over the vent holes when running. Always stays on, even in water. If it's really hot or cold I just take it off momentarily to let air in or out 👌

[@hondofourfivetwo9347]

I vent my tires I do notice a difference and it works fine for where & how I drive, I don’t submerged my rig in water for the most part but the surfaces might be wet or I get into some mud etc. you want the best of both worlds vent your wheels then cover the holes with gorilla tape (or whatever waterproof tape) when you play in water.

[@brentrobinson3274]

I've always vented my tires but always put in the time to clean up afterwards and haven't had to many foam issues but never kept stock foams always ran ci foams or voodoo foams

[@juggie19]

Amazing explanation. I got water in my bead lock tires (assembled incorrectly and it blew and water got in). my dumbass thought I had to vent to get all the water out as the tire deformed (kind of permanently squished). This clearly explains why to vent, not just how! I used a hair dryer and my tires came back to their regular shape

[@high-octane-stunts86]

This worked great

[@royrodgers3296]

Austar makes an air filled setup that is frickin awesome and cheap. Air up or down with a basketball needle by blowing into it. Only catch is they only(to my knowledge) have them in a 2.2 size. Doesn’t bother me, the truck they are on has a Jeep body and it just looks like a lifted Jeep with big tires, no rub. Heavy setup and I’ve had them on there for a few years now. Cracked one of the hex on the rim after a few years but never popped a tire. Super traction:)

[@braddahdussifyoumuss596]

Where I live here in Hawaii we don’t need to worry about elevation problems, so I usually like to run all my tires closed. And it actually conforms just as good and it kinda depends on the weight of your truck… a lil heavier truck will conform closed tires no problem. And also I love to wash my rigs after so yeah😁😁😁

[@GreenJeep1998]

Odd that this pops up for me today, I bought a leather punch yesterday to use for venting the tires on my SCX24s as well as modify the foams with them as well. May try it on my Tamiya MF-01x Jimny that I modified with the portals off a GF-01TR, Boom Racing wheels and Proline 3.85” Crawlers and could use a little give that they don’t have right now.

[@travissierra8519]

an interesting discussion, I have pressurized tires, with an onboard remote control air compressor to bring the pressure up or on the road or non-technical services or to depressurize him for crawling climbing sound etc.When I first started doing this I had a small mini hand pump which took a lot of time and effort.

[@Spagyr]

Hard to believe

[@White000Crow]

Vented for sure. I regularly travel between 6200’ elevation and sea level. I set the tires at high altitude and at sea level they are all smooshed. To get them to work at sea level I now have to remove and reinstall a whole crap load of screws.

[@plywood53]

I just watched your video and it got me to thinking my Hyrax tires/Pro-Line wheels aren't vented and no doubt came from a much lower altitude than the 9100 feet where I live. They are probably puffed up like the potato chip bag you described and illustrated so well. Sure enough they were and after popping the beads loose and reassembling all 4 wheels they were softer. Thanks for the insight.

[@RC_Rooster]

Sealed, heavy wheel, soft foam, medium softness non sticky tire with angled lugs is my setup. But I run trails mostly. I rarely hit lots of rocks, water and mud are normal for me tho.

[@Santaheckler]

For crawlers I like to vent the rim/wheel bc then I just throw some tape over the holes if I’m going to drive in the water. It doesn’t seem to pick up as much dirt as when you vent the tire. It’s also reversible, just put a small amount of epoxy over the holes and your back to a sealed wheel.

[@662SSIPPI]

I vented my tires before watching this video and didn't think of how slow they turn it want sling the water out..did me and my sons trx4.we new to the crawlers.so after a run in water I take the tires off and stick them on the vxl slash and it does a good job slinging the water out just kind of a pain.

[@Dokroc78]

I always vent. Proline G8 with stock foams. 3, 1-2mm holes center of tread with leather punch. You can squeeze out water or gently blow out with air compressor. Non vented swell to much in temperature and altitude changes. Sometimes to the point that the tire is unusable with out cracking the beadlock screws loose and letting the pressure equalize.

[@GrimJerr]

I actually only heard of venting the actual tire recently, i knew there were vented rims but always questioned how much difference it really makes.

[@extremercbashers9975]

Great video I recently just bought Proline dual stage Foams and I love them also I think he meant out of balance instead of in balance

[@shaunflynn9601]

I’m pretty sure he said imbalance or imbalanced.

[@JRLdesigns]

What I do is keep a set of tires, usually the stock ones and have them be vented. Depending on where I go, I'll take the vented or unvented ones with me. Personally, I prefer unvented tires, but the tires balloon like crazy after a big altitude change.

[@bjrnarrosseland9012]

Unvented is also a big broblem where I live because of big difference in temperature. Exaple if you put the tire on inside the house and its very cold outside..

[@frozenshade666]

On my crawler I'm using a soldering iron with needle point tips to poke two small opening that you barely can see. That way you tire are vented for temp or elevation change. Dirt don't get in and occasional wet terrain don't cause any problem.(I never run in water with my RC).

[@nj2033]

If you're running beadlocks, just drilling a 1.5 or 2mm hole in the centre ring will vent the tyres... No need to burn holes in the tyres themselves. Then if you want to seal them, just put some tape over the centre ring hole

[@K3NnY_G]

Another thing you guys down south prob don't come up to alot, but in the winter months you can seal up some bead-locks in your warm house, head out and after 15 min your tires are under vacuum thanks to the volume of air being different compared to what it was sealed under.

[@sirchirpalot]

I run all my trucks with unvented, Were i live i run in alot of water and all of my trucks are 10lbs and up. I do have a mix of foams from CI and proline, single stage and dual stage, I have 1.5 1.9 and 2.2 setups. I also use my sidewalls alot and want them to be stiff enough to hold weigh of the trucks but also flex enough and grab.

[@colindraper7978]

"Squeeze the bejesus out of em" 😁 Very Irish saying.

[@mauricecoppard8675]

I don't vent my tires but I try it on two of my crawler tires and found no difference as what you explained I don't climb high enough. What I like to do is put two or three rubber bands around the tire just before I bead up the tires to rim to let some air out. They look good on my trail truck as they are heavy and tire look a little flat

[@TangoOne]

I have always vented my tires, and I live in the Eastern Sierras. I have a set of Proline Ko2's coming and I may try not venting for the first time and see how I like it. I do much more trail driving then I do hardcore rocks so maybe non-vented might be better for me. I also never go into water (you'll have much bigger issues than wet foam)

[@ryurc3033]

I quit with the water stuff after rebuilding the portals on my trx4 like 5 times( bearings don't like water) Unless I broke it all the way down every time I got in the water the outer bearing would crap out

[@shadow7796]

On my trail trucks I run non-vented so I don't ruin my expensive foams. Have a set of 2stage Pro-line and ci lil Nova. I have a set of vented Pitbull wheels and Vanquish which are non vented.

[@jimmyrioux9145]

Well it all depend where you live , for me in canada in winter time its better vented ! Wen you go from indoor temp of 70°F to 5°F outside the air presure decrease and it become stiffer ! So I vent all of my wheel for year around use ! Like you said there is a difference in some case.

[@kregadeth5562]

I’ve noticed that in from the 70 degrees in my house out to the 35 degrees outside the unvented tires experience a lot of change. But I think it’s worth it to not have nasty water all the time leaking out of my tires. Or to not have to take them apart to clean them out

[@kennyforgot83]

I always vent my rims and still end up fully submerging the truck when I take it out but every single time I have used the rig it gets each wheel fully stripped down cleaned and dried out at the same time as im cleaning up the chassis, (just old habit I do with every truck), my foams have lasted a very long time doing this, just means more work.

[@sandodelalic4762]

My axial scx10 III have orginal vented tire. And today i put unvented on and felt like ballon. I will maybe give them a run to se before making holes in them.

[@roroczairsoft239]

salut!!!!! merci pour tout vos effort a nous expliqué mais une petite traduction serai la bien venue car dommage pour moi de ne pas connaître l'anglai mdr!!!!! mais merci a vous pour toute ses astuces!!!! vous êtes aux top merci!!!!!

[@juantabby4787]

Try only the inner foam. It acts like a lower pressure tire on a 1:1, I was running unvented until last week when my dog finally punctured one. I vented them all at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock. It’s much better vented IMO. I’m also running aluminum unvented rims.

[@sawyergoulet6051]

Can you plz get the axial wraith spawn and do a review

[@willanderson5088]

I switched to unvented about a year ago. Got sick of going threw foams. Have noticed no difference in performance on my crawlers. Tried it on my slash 4x4 and with the speed they work better vented. I do about 1k elevation change and have never noticed any ballooning and have had the same foams since switching and still feel good so I’m sold on none vented crawler tires.

[@milodelpozo7727]

I have noticed that unvented tires rebound slower, giving a g8 tires the rebound of predator compound.

[@NoRt44]

If I occasionally travel up to higher elevation for camping and events should I have a second pair of tires vented? Or since I have bead locks should I just unassembled and re assemble my tires when I get there?

[@AUBREYTHOMAS1979]

On my 6th scale Willys I have the best of both worlds. The 2.2 rims had enough space for me to put a small bicycle tube valve which allows me to very quickly release pressure but also keep the tire sealed. On everything else .... unvented

[@smash12a]

I get rubber ball valves drill an super glue in set tire no foam an add pressure as needed with a small hand pump. But I also run 2.2 an larger wheels.

[@RCReviewChannel]

Good stuff!

[@MattPecoraro]

Unvented except for one set with closed cell single stage for water days. They all end up vented eventually, the desert terrain and desert plants poke holes in and cut the tires.

[@SierraCrawler530]

Im about to do some tests at "axialfest Donner" so im gonna find out how much they 🎈up

[@MrRickTic]

I always vent. I nip small holes in the center of the tread. I can tell a good difference. I had a customer the other day and he would. It vent his tires that I just installed dual stage foams in and it killed me. lol

[@ggwbrc]

i choose ventilated to creep through obstacles because my rc is not very fast, for my fairly fast rc i choose to use one without ventilation and louder

[@hossrc420]

Im not a fan of taking my rigs into water or mud and with decent dual stage foams like from CI the cope with pretty much anything. I use a leather hole punch or the hole is just too small to be effective and the tyre can get wrinkled and become ineffective. If you're using standard foams I guess unvented would help with side hill capability. I take my crawlers too seriously though and I did notice unvented was less grippy

[@1sickgsx]

Was vented. Went non vented on my newest setup because I like to play in water and honestly haven't noticed much of a difference.

[@Boss-dr2zk]

I always run vented tires because my trucks tend to bounce at the rocks if I don't vent them. My trucks are pretty light, so I have absolutely no conforming if I run them closed. If water finds a way into my tires, I just unscrew my wheels and dry the foams and tires

[@caledoncrawlersrc2216]

Unvented for me, do a lot of creeks and i ruined a few foams from water when i vented, plus i dont have the heart to poke holes in thise expensive and good looking tires i just saved up to buy

[@cs1814]

Personally I had an issue with unvented tires could not get a 100% seal on the bead and as pressure would bleed out tire would vacuum. Now I only run vented

[@adventuresinhousesitting]

two crawlers both unvented ~ keeps water out and still conforms (near sea level)

[@lods7185]

What do You all think about GMADE tire inflation system?

[@kristian4243]

Anyone tried having some sort of hard foam or something, and then vacuuming the tires?

[@davidbanaszak562]

Had to vent.. kept getting flat tires at the crawler course

[@BlindGuyRc]

I prefer unvented. It's just easier to deal with haha. I like water. And where I live and crawl... even compete, I don't notice the difference. Thats just me. I also keep my tires pretty squishy with not so firm foams.

[@RCReviewChannel]

Yup, altitude changing is really the variable.

[@danweiss4928]

Unvented. Reason number one water. Reason number two I live in Michigan and the elevation does not change. Much. I have not found any reason to do it at this point. But I have needed to let air out with the bead on super hot sunny days!!!

[@mikejurnak4253]

Question for anyone does the scx10 iii the Wrangler does it come waterproof out the box❓❔❓❔

[@andyjones357]

I do both vent and non vent I hear all the good and bad of both sides it's more of how one runs their rig