Hot Rods Inner Tubes for firestone 500/526-16 tires

Hi all

What size inner tube are people running for firestone 500/526-16 tires?
I'm in Australia, and its hard to find that size around here, so curious if anyone uses 550-16 tubes instead.
Guessing you dont want to use to small a tube in a larger tire, but it would be safe to run a larger tube in a smaller tire?

cheers julian

 

My tubes came from Coker with both sets of 500/525-16s I've purchased over the years.

 

I find it's nearly impossible to find tubes anywhere here, when you go to ask for one at tyre places, they look at you like you have 2 heads, and when you tell them you do your own tyre changes, they tell you that it's unsafe and will kill all the native wildlife! The only place I could find any was on Evilbay.

 

You don't want to run too large of a tube in a small tire because the large tube will fold over and pinch. I had a chucklehead at a tire shop put my 750 tube in a 500-525. I had a flat because of this.

I'm thinking that a 550 tube will be ok. Usually those tubes are used for several similar sizes. Probably the best thing to do is ask Coker customer service.

 

Luckily the good old tire shop in my town stocks tubes.
I am careful not to give them too much information when I buy them though. Just the size of tire and if it's a radial or bias ply.

Funny enough, the salesman said that they don't sell many tubes now, not like ten years ago. So in 2011 lots of people were buying tubes for their car tires?

I have read that new tubes from China are to be avoided, ones from Korea are good. I have old ones from the US, Canada and Europe that still work fine after decades. I do save all the old, good ones I come across.

 

I think if you look on a site like speedway they sell tubes that are for 5.00 to 5.50, same tube works for both. Check it out

 

Smaller tube is better than larger.

Dave

 

This link should give you an idea of what you are looking for. 500-525 16" Offset Value Tube (longstonetyres.co.uk)

 

Maybe try a farm tractor place

 

thanks all for your replies, ended up getting some online
cheers Julian

 

I buy tubes for motorcycles for my LSR tires. For 15” rims I buy 16” tubes and for 16” rims I buy 17”. I need to specify angle stems.

 

I had to hustle down a tube quickly, and Discount Tire sent me to Tractor Supply- they had quite a variety right there on the shelf.

 

thanks all, being in Australia i had to order online and get the correct size.
cheers julian