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Permalink Reply by Jesse Hartman on June 18, 2013 at 8:49pm

Welcome to the experimental side!

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Permalink Reply by Christopher Braun on June 18, 2013 at 9:21pm

Very true on both points. I'm not arguing that it is not possible to use anything we want on an experimental. But, the load rating of the tire is 410 lbs at a max of 10 mph. I didn't make this up. The manufacturer did. Just because it is experimental, doesn't mean that I want to take unnecessary risks.

I totally get the non-tso issue. I have a non-certified o-200 amongst plenty of other items. So, I am just saying that we should be using an aviation tire, not a golf cart tire. All of the brands that you mentioned are non-Tso AVIATION specific tires that I will use. The Carlisles will be limited to my next golf round. Perhaps they were ok with 701 weight or powered parachute. But, it doesn't seem like a good choice on which to risk a 30k investment.

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Permalink Reply by John Austin on June 18, 2013 at 10:07pm

Chris,

When I tried my "skinny tire" experiment (removing the 800 tires and installing 600's), I initially had the same questions and concerns you did. I even contacted Matco, the wheel and brake vendor, for their recommendation of a compatible tire ... they sell one that, if it's not a Carlisle utility tire, it's identical otherwise, and said it gave very satisfactory service. I note that Spruce sells something similar, too.

I then turned to the 'net and did searches of this forum and elsewhere, and I simply could not find anyone complaining of catastrophic outcomes using these non-aviation, utility tires. By catastrophic I mean ruptures, blow-outs, detaching/deflecting off the rim, etc. More often, the problems reported were along the lines of an occasional out-of-round tire, early superficial cracking, and since they are generally thinner, cuts and scrapes when used in the bush. I certainly don't expect the service life will be there, but 3 Carlisle 600's delivered to my door were $85, and I figured 3 Airhawks and tubes would be more like $360 at a minimum.

I think by now that there are plenty of hours and cycles of use of the Carlisle tires on the 750 - certainly many thousands of take-off and landings - that if there was a problem, it would be apparent by now.

Obviously, an aviation-grade tire and tube is a good option, but you're going to eat into useful load - they're certainly much heavier than the tubeless Carlisles - in fact, if you go down to 600's, you gain another 8.4 lbs of useful load (and their load rating is 160 lbs higher!). So, you "pays your money and takes your choice!" I'm pretty comfortable with my choice in that I operate 90+% off smooth turf in a temperate climate and the plane is 100% hangared when not flying so there is minimal UV exposure and weathering. A ground run or landing of 300' on grass, even with a similar taxiing distance, doesn't even make my tires warm!

If I lived in an extreme climate, tied down the plane rather than hangared, or flew into the bush, I'd likely go for an aviation grade tire (and tube). I suspect, however, that a lot of these planes, like mine, live a rather pampered life and will get by OK with the Carlisles. The guys that "thrash" them in the bush had better get the best they can afford!

My $.02 worth!

John

N750A

P.S.: I only "wish" the investment had been 30K! LOL!

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Permalink Reply by Christopher Braun on June 19, 2013 at 9:28am

Yes, there differences with aviation tires, whether tsod or not. They are built to withstand a speed, like auto tires, and any other tire. Additionally, bc of crabbing in a crosswind situation, they are designed to withstand a side load, as you rarely land perfectly straight ahead, even in calm air. It's good to hear that Matco recommends the Carlisles for our application, and that makes me feel better. But, don't fool yourself, there is a reason that an aviation tire sidewall is thicker than even a car tire, it has to resist side loads that a car and golf cart don't. If there was a 8.00-6 tire made for a Radio Flyer childrens wagon, I think it's safe to assume that someone in "experimental" would try to use it bc it saves money. I love to save money, and it's a big concern, but it should be second in the safety equation.

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