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

[Marauder]

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.

Mike -- I went with Super Hawks this time around after running Goodyears for years. After 14 months of usage, I am happy with their performance.

[jetdriven]

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?

Nope they fit with adequate clearance. I check all tires on a retract on jacks before letting it out of the shop but dimensionally they are the same. The FC-III sidewalls are much thicker than the condor and Air Hawks.

[Andy95W]

Thanks, Byron. I'm sold.

[201er]

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.

I mean I felt like a dumb dumb wearing out new Custom Flight IIIs within a few years from bad landings. It only takes one...

[Hank]

I wonder what kind of tires Piperpainter has? He's the boldest Mooney pilot I know of. Me, I just occasionally go to maintained grass fields.

 

Full stall landings, if done close to the surface, should have low impact. Stall it several feet up, though, and those thick sidewalls may be worth the extra money.

[mikefox]

We use Flight Custom III's.  If you don't flat-spot your tires on landings they will last longer than other tires.  And the one time you need them you'll wish you had the best tires money can buy!  

[Marauder]

I mean I felt like a dumb dumb wearing out new Custom Flight IIIs within a few years from bad landings. It only takes one...

Mike -- I wonder if the increased weight of your fuel is playing a role in your tire wear. You're carrying 100 gallons right when full, right? Wonder if others with long range tanks who fill them a bit see the increased wear.

I hate to say this, but my last set of tires were on there quite a long time. I replaced one because it was getting checkered.

[PTK]

Tire health and longevity of tires, imo,  largely depends on our technique and habits.

 

All tires require proper care and relative common sense.

 

I have received excellent service from my Michelin Condors.

[fantom]

The eternal quest for the generalized 'best' anything has so many variables as to be a fools errand, IMHO. Where you live, where you fly, how your plane is configured, what you consider critical, your risk tolerance, what you're willing to spend for peace of mind...the list goes on and on.

 

Do some research on tires, or anything else for that matter, ask specific questions giving details on your particular needs and the advise you get will be so much better.

 

That is the best advise I can give.

 

http://www.skygeek.com/600-6.html

[N201MKTurbo]

Has anybody ever had a flat?

 

I never have.

 

I wonder how bad it is.

[Hank]

I was worried while waiting on my last nose tire, but despite the thin tread, she held out long enough. Kept losing air in the hangar, though, but never below 20 psi.

[rbridges]

Has anybody ever had a flat?

 

I never have.

 

I wonder how bad it is.

 

not while in motion.  had a flat when I came back to get my plane in destin.  fortunately, it held air long enough to get home and land.

[N201MKTurbo]

I'm talking about:

 

Landing with a flat main tire

Landing withy a flat nose tire

Blowing a main tire near rotation speed.

Blowing a nose tire near rotation speed.

[rbridges]

I'm talking about:

 

Landing with a flat main tire

Landing withy a flat nose tire

Blowing a main tire near rotation speed.

Blowing a nose tire near rotation speed.

 

A friend of mine had one go flat when landing.  I believe it was a main.  He said it pulled hard to one side but made it sound like it was a non-event.  I guess it depends how fast you're going when it happens though.

[N201MKTurbo]

I would like to hear from anyone who has more info on what happens with a blown tire.

 

I suspect that a blown tire is a non-event.

 

That being said, there is no safety advantage to spending more on tires. The only advantage is the longer wear.

 

Considering that the longer wearing tires cost three times as much for less than twice the wear, they seem like a bad investment.

[jetdriven]

The retreads offer the long wear, the thicker sidewall, and the 50$ cost so you win on all 3.

[triple8s]

I was told about using retreads before and I have wondered about the clearance if there was any difference in the new tires and the recapped. I guess no difference?

[Super Dave]

Has anybody ever had a flat?

 

I never have.

 

I wonder how bad it is.

Had a nose tire go flat on a Beech Duchess I was instructing in years ago; non event, was able to taxi clear of the runway and get towed in. My biggest concern would be reduced prop clearance.

[Andy95W]

I was told about using retreads before and I have wondered about the clearance if there was any difference in the new tires and the recapped. I guess no difference?

I asked the same question. Jetdriven, post #29, above, said they were not different.

[carusoam]

Plane design allows for flat tire taxi without prop contact on a smooth surface...

Sunshine has ruined a set (or two) of tires on my C while tied down outside...

Hope that helps,

-a-

[aviatoreb]

I would like to hear from anyone who has more info on what happens with a blown tire.

 

I suspect that a blown tire is a non-event.

 

That being said, there is no safety advantage to spending more on tires. The only advantage is the longer wear.

 

Considering that the longer wearing tires cost three times as much for less than twice the wear, they seem like a bad investment.

 

If you are not an AP and you are paying someone else to change your tires, then that cost gap closes.

[N601RX]

Tires are included in the list of things owners are allowed to do.

[Seth]

Mike -- I wonder if the increased weight of your fuel is playing a role in your tire wear. You're carrying 100 gallons right when full, right? Wonder if others with long range tanks who fill them a bit see the increased wear.

I hate to say this, but my last set of tires were on there quite a long time. I replaced one because it was getting checkered.

I'd have to agree with this - on purchase three years ago I replaced one of my mains - I'm sure I'll be replacing others in due time, but so far so good - I have had my share of not perfect landings, but the Missile is heavier, and with 98 gallons when full, that is a lot of weight.  I usually do not keep the tanks topped on the ground.

 

 

Had to replace the nose wheel of my M20F for the tire breaking down (cracking) - it would have just been a matter of time until it went flat on landing or on its own.  My guess is the dry rot came from non-use prior to purchase and living outside.

 

-Seth

[N201MKTurbo]

I usually do not keep the tanks topped on the ground.

 

 

How is aerial refueling with the Mooney?