Pros and Cons of Puncture Proof Tyres in CareCo Mobility Equipment

When choosing a new CareCo mobility scooter or electric wheelchair, there are many considerations before making your purchase. Individual need is the most important as is comfort, range, the nature of your mobility needs and price. You may find that some choices are a matter of personal preference. Each issue will have its own pros and cons. That is certainly true of puncture proof tyres. Some mobility vehicles offer this as an option but before you buy, ensure you understand what they are – including the pros and cons.

What are the Puncture Proof Tyres on CareCo Mobility Equipment?

Regular tyres on CareCo mobility equipment are exactly like those you will find on a motorcycle, bicycle or any motor vehicle. They use a durable rubber with an inner tube inflated with air. This keeps the vehicle buoyant, working in line with suspension. The problem is (and anybody who has ever ridden a bicycle or driven a car) that regular tyres are prone to punctures. A long journey can end suddenly simply running over a sharp piece of metal or glass. Puncture proof tyres are an altogether different matter. They are solid tyres made from rubber or flexible plastics that fulfil the same functions. They may seem a godsend to mobility scooter and electric wheelchair users worried about punctures, but they too come with their own drawbacks.

The Pros of Puncture Proof Tyres

They Don’t Puncture

Of course, or they wouldn’t be called “puncture proof tyres”. Their solid construction means you won’t need to worry about the anxiety of a breakdown, nor experience the actual stress when it happens. You can buy insurance for your CareCo mobility equipment when it breaks down that will recover the vehicle and user, but if it happens when you need to get to an appointment it can upset your whole day.

No Inflation Needed

They are a solid construction so you don’t need to inflate the tyres. If you have a mobility problem or disability issues meaning you simply can’t pump a tyre, puncture proof tyres are the better option when buying CareCo mobility equipment. No inflation means less wear and tear on the tyres and mechanical parts. You generally won’t need to change the wheels during the life of the vehicle, unlike inflatables which will degrade.

The Cons of Puncture Proof Tyres

Weight

This can be a big problem for you or anybody else who regularly needs to move the mobility scooter or electric wheelchair into and out of a car, in and out of a building or anywhere else. It also makes them difficult to push. CareCo mobility equipment with inflatable tyres adds a negligible amount of weight. Solid foam or plastic tyres are that much heavier that could make the benefits of puncture proof tyres more trouble than they are worth.

Flat Spots

Some types of wheel develop flat areas when the vehicle is stationary for a little too long. This means an uncomfortable ride until you get going again. Inflatable tyres don’t suffer from this problem because the weight of the vehicle is held up by the air inside the tyre. Even when underinflated, inflatables will simply account for the lack of density.

Less Comfortable in Motion

Flat spots create discomfort until the wheel levels out in motion, but nothing can quite take away the discomfort of puncture proof tyres. Nothing feels smoother than a bicycle, a mobility scooter or wheelchair with fully inflated tyres. Nothing feels quite so pleasurable. Unfortunately, puncture proof tyres have a long way to go to catch up with the comfort of inflatables. It is down to you, the CareCo mobility equipment customer, to decide which type of tyre is best for your mobility needs. If unsure, speak to a sales advisor.