do you guys get the "best" tire for the front?

[rbridges]

I know the mains take more of a beating, and I spent more to get a good tire.  Looks like the front tire is getting worn.  Should I also get the best tire money can buy, or do you guys tend to spend less on the front?

[RocketAviator]

Note Rocket requires a specific rated tire according to Rocket POH supplement.

[rbridges]

Note Rocket requires a specific rated tire according to Rocket POH supplement.

 

no one is going to confuse my plane for a rocket.  

[philipneeper]

I use the same grade all the way around. I just posted a topic about tires. I don't buy brand new tires all the time. I get the retreads. 

[yvesg]

I was lucky enough last year to win a set of Goodyear Custom III tires in Oshkosh as part of the Mooney Caravan. They are waiting in my garage for the day I will need to put them on. No, I will not give you my home address...

Yves

[rbridges]

I was lucky enough last year to win a set of Goodyear Custom III tires in Oshkosh as part of the Mooney Caravan. They are waiting in my garage for the day I will need to put them on. No, I will not give you my home address...

Yves

 

wow, that was a nice prize.  I think that's what I have on my mains.  The front tire is what came with the plane and it's a different brand.  IIRC it's a condor.

[N601RX]

Condors seem to be a decent tire. We put them on our cessna several years ago and about 400 hrs ago. I know that at least 3 people have used it to get their license in since then. I still fly it some for the current owner as he is out of the county for extended times. The tires still look good. Our mooney has had them on it also since around 2003 and they are still in good shape.

[Danb]

I use Michelin Air on all three..

[N201MKTurbo]

I buy the cheapest tires I can find (Air Hawks). They last me about 5 years/500 hours/ 500 landings.

 

I'm starting my annual in about 45 min. I need new tires....

[Guest]

How cheap of a tire would you put on your car? The one on your plane should be at least as good if not better.

Clarence

[rbridges]

How cheap of a tire would you put on your car? The one on your plane should be at least as good if not better.

Clarence

 

Good point.

[TWinter]

Just ordered a set of Condors for my mains yesterday.

[triple8s]

How cheap of a tire would you put on your car? The one on your plane should be at least as good if not better.

Clarence

Do you get those at "Canadian Tire" ?

[Hank]

I put Goodyear Custom II on my mains (III gets a 170 mph ground speed rating, useless in my C). Nose tire is a Condor. Leak Stop tubes all the way around.

[Andy95W]

Aviation Consumer recommends Goodyear if you do lots of takeoffs and landings due to greater tread depth. With that said, if dry rot is an issue, they liked the less expensive tires like the Condors.

As far as cheaper- TSO'd is TSO'd. More expensive does not necessarily equal more reliable or safe, but they may last longer according to the Aviation Consumer.

[philipneeper]

Do you fill your tires with air or nitrogen?

[Hank]

Do you fill your tires with air or nitrogen?

 

I use 76% nitrogen.    Straight from the pancake compressor that never seems to provide any food . . . . .

 

A local tire shop quoted a coworker $99 to "convert" his new tires to nitrogen. 

[fantom]

Do you fill your tires with air or nitrogen?

Both!

[N201MKTurbo]

I fill my tires with a special 78% nitrogen mix.

[jetdriven]

I buy the cheapest tires I can find (Air Hawks). They last me about 5 years/500 hours/ 500 landings.

 

I'm starting my annual in about 45 min. I need new tires....

I made a hard landing on a Condor tire and the tire deflected enough to let the gear door hit the ground and bend it.

Anyways the Desser retreads on FC-III cores last forever and last set I bought was 55$ each.

[Andy95W]

Anyways the Desser retreads on FC-III cores last forever and last set I bought was 55$ each.

I was told once that the Desser retreads were great tires but could be dimensionally slightly larger than stock, and possibly not recommended for retract gear airplanes. Any issues that you have noted?

[philipneeper]

I ran Desser for the last 2 years, nothing to squawk about. I found a new company in VA., that is a few $$ cheaper. I ordered brand new tires & tubes all the way around for $336 all the way around. 

[201er]

I'm currently going with the theory that the pilot is going to ruin the tire before mother nature does. So far all tire replacements have been the result of flat spots and not even all around wear. No matter how well you try to land, sooner or later there's that inevitable crosswind that sends you skidding sideways down the runway and rubbing out your tires. In the meantime I'm going with Air Hawks and will replace as necessary.

[fantom]

.....I'm going with Air Hawks and will replace as necessary.

 

Was a while ago, and Air Hawks were actually OEM in 1994, but they were thin, especially the side walls. I'd be more concerned about your damaging your rims, given some of the remote air fields you visit, rather than your flat spots which could also be a function of how lights the Hawks are.

[Hank]

I've had my C for seven years; none of the tires were new when I bought her. I just put on the second nose tire, and have replaced the mains once. Lots of life left in them. All expired from rotational wear, with nary a flat spot. All you gotta do is be careful . . .