Michelin testing an airless tire

[stevek]

Wonder what you would think about this?
Do you think we could ever see an AIRLESS RV tire?
Michelin is currently testing this tire on a Chevy Bolt. Pics on the internet.
Thanks

[Mike Jean Bandfield]

The concept has been floating around a long time. The design appears to make a lot of sense for a car where loads are generally within ~ +50%. Less for the driver/owner to be aware of. No more flats and the tread surface would seem to have a more consistent pressure and contact with the road across the breadth of the tire. But when it comes to heat I've got no sense about how this will perform - other than it removes the vagaries of tire inflation from the equation. GM says the Michigan trials on the Bolt will last 'til at least 2024.

When it comes to trucks, the broader range of cargo weights (i.e., loaded vs. unloaded) and reliance upon truck tires for shock absorption - there's a lot of engineering and trials that will have to happen.