jkb458 Posted November 18, 2009 Report Posted November 18, 2009 I've searched through the forums but cannot find much info on what brands of tires work better on the vintage Mooneys. I thought that other new Mooney owners (like me) might also be interested in this topic. I am close to needing to replace my tires and would like to make an informed choice rather than just throwing darts... Could you post your experiences with the current tires on your vintage Mooney? Would you buy the same brand again? Also, I see that there are tube-type and tubeless tires. Any preference? Pros/cons of both types? Thanks in advance, Jeff Quote
GeorgePerry Posted November 18, 2009 Report Posted November 18, 2009 Goodyear Flight Custom III, along with goodyear tubes...They cost a bit more but are IMO the best tires you can buy. Link below is a good source of tire info. Also, one word of caution...Don't skimp on the tubes. Great tires with tubes that don't hold PSI are next to worthless. If budget is an issue, I'd buy hight quaility tubes (goodyear or Michelin) and put a budget tire on over them. http://www.sacskyranch.com/faqaircrafttire.htm Quote
jkb458 Posted November 18, 2009 Author Report Posted November 18, 2009 Thanks for the info and link, George!!! Quote
MooneyMitch Posted November 18, 2009 Report Posted November 18, 2009 There is a pretty good tire discussion on our forum titled "retreads". I started it. After some research, I did wind up with Goodyear Flight Custom III's. Aircraft Spruce, at that time, had the best price [i'm just up the CA coast from LA so not too much of a UPS charge]. Incidentally I have had no issues with nose tire clearance. The initial set of Flight Customs I purchased and installed were out of round. I pulled them, sent them back and got another set. They were much better. My brother-in-law had the same experience. Strange indeed for the most expensive and best tire on the market, I thought. Makes one wonder a bit though. I spoke to the Goodyear warranty rep. at Oshkosh regarding my situation. He did admit that there had been several warranty claims due to the same problem I had, but he offered no resolution. Quote
Immelman Posted November 18, 2009 Report Posted November 18, 2009 Condor tire -- new/not a retread/no wheel well fit issues. And they are cheap. I have had a condor on one main and a goodyear on the other for some time now and the cheaper condor is holding up great. Pony up and spend money on the Michellin Airstop tube though. They just don't leak. Maybe I'll have to top off the MLG once a year. The nosewheel (which does not have an airstop) needs to be topped off once a month or even more often to maintain proper inflation and prop clearance. Quote
mjc Posted November 18, 2009 Report Posted November 18, 2009 I installed three Michelin Air tires and three Michelin Airstop tubes on 1/31/04. They have racked up somewhere around 600 landings since that time. I estimate they have about 20% of their usable tread remaining. They show no damage due to age or exposure. I'm satisfied with this combination. The advice I was given when I bought these tires is that on low-ish use airplanes, tires are as often worn out by the elements as they are by use (or abuse). The Michelin Air (and Goodyear Flight Custom, I believe) are advertised as being made from rubber more resistant to the elements as well as to use. Using the newer type of tubes (such as the Michelin Airstop brand) was a no-brainer. I add air to the tires perhaps once between annual inspections. I noticed a while ago that the Michelin tires have gone up a lot in price, though. Quote
airkraft Posted November 18, 2009 Report Posted November 18, 2009 Agree with Immel. Condor's are, I think, essentially Michelin Aviator's but $72 each vs. $118. I can't see how MA's are $46 better, and I certainly don't see why FC III's are $86 or more than 100% more valuable. I'd certainly appreciate any input to better my understanding of light aircraft tire technology, though...GK Quote
jkb458 Posted November 18, 2009 Author Report Posted November 18, 2009 Thanks for all of the replies!!! Jeff Quote
jkb458 Posted November 19, 2009 Author Report Posted November 19, 2009 Just wanted to let everyone know that I ordered the Goodyear Flight Custom III's today. I really appreciate everyone's input. Thanks! Jeff Quote
FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC Posted October 4, 2011 Report Posted October 4, 2011 I'm going to be replacing tires....does anyone know what the benifit is to using a tubeless tire? It looks like the GoodYear Flight Custom III has a tubeless option Quote
fantom Posted October 5, 2011 Report Posted October 5, 2011 I can't think of any benefits, Nick. Get some air tight tubes and you won't need to top off your air very often. I wouldn't trust my Mooney rims with a tubeless tire. Quote
Parker_Woodruff Posted October 5, 2011 Report Posted October 5, 2011 I have been using Condors from Desser.com. Price there includes shipping. Quote
Shadrach Posted October 5, 2011 Report Posted October 5, 2011 I've been using goodyear recaps from wilkersonaircrafttires.com. I am very pleased. Quote
MooneyMitch Posted October 5, 2011 Report Posted October 5, 2011 Quote: Mitch There is a pretty good tire discussion on our forum titled "retreads". I started it. After some research, I did wind up with Goodyear Flight Custom III's. Aircraft Spruce, at that time, had the best price [i'm just up the CA coast from LA so not too much of a UPS charge]. Incidentally I have had no issues with nose tire clearance. The initial set of Flight Customs I purchased and installed were out of round. I pulled them, sent them back and got another set. They were much better. My brother-in-law had the same experience. Strange indeed for the most expensive and best tire on the market, I thought. Makes one wonder a bit though. I spoke to the Goodyear warranty rep. at Oshkosh regarding my situation. He did admit that there had been several warranty claims due to the same problem I had, but he offered no resolution. Quote
jetdriven Posted October 5, 2011 Report Posted October 5, 2011 Thats pretty upsetting to pay 2X the rate for a tire and it is not right. Quote
FlyDave Posted October 5, 2011 Report Posted October 5, 2011 I put new Condor's on last annual. Three months ago I landed and, for an unknown reason to myself, tried to make taxiway delta with 3 people and a lot of fuel. My still almost new tires turned into Fred Flintstone looking flat sided blocks. If you're going to spend the money on expensive tires, don't try to make delta. Echo is not that much further. Quote
MooneyMitch Posted October 5, 2011 Report Posted October 5, 2011 Quote: jetdriven Thats pretty upsetting to pay 2X the rate for a tire and it is not right. Quote
FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC Posted October 5, 2011 Report Posted October 5, 2011 Ok I'm going to go with the Goodyear Flight Custom III is there a specific tube that's associated with that tire or do I have choices? Quote
MooneyMitch Posted October 5, 2011 Report Posted October 5, 2011 Goodyear does have the no air leak tube which I use. With that said, I do believe there is a current service bulletin on that tube with some failures. Check that out. Quote
jetdriven Posted October 5, 2011 Report Posted October 5, 2011 I think Michelin makes a leak proof tube as well. http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/lgpages/michAviator2.php so does aeroclassic http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/lgpages/leakguard.php Quote
FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC Posted October 5, 2011 Report Posted October 5, 2011 do you think both or either could be used with the Good Year Flight Custom III? I imagine it wouldnt matter brand and you oculd mix and match so long as the size is right Quote
MooneyMitch Posted October 5, 2011 Report Posted October 5, 2011 If you do chose the Michelin tube, here is another recent experience I've had. I assisted a friend change tires/tube on his Mooney. He chose the the Michelin set up, tubes/tire sized per his particular aircraft. As we found out during installation, the tube stems for the mains were tappered in a fashion that would not allow full insertion through the hole in the wheel. We could not use them. Very strange. I don't know the outcome of this mystery as of yet, but will post it when I do know. Quote
FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC Posted October 5, 2011 Report Posted October 5, 2011 Disregard I just checked the web site and the Michelins are supposed to be compatible with most major brands so I guess the answer to my question is YES Quote
FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC Posted October 5, 2011 Report Posted October 5, 2011 Mitch I could not find the Goodyear SB on their tubes but Im going to keep looking Quote
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