I'm moving from Alaska to Arizona this summer for the next three years. I'm currently running 31" Bushwheels on my '56 C-180 in Alaska and love them. However, I am considering selling them and just keeping my Gar Aero 8.50x10s.

Can anyone tell me if there's any bush flying worth keeping my 31s for? We're going to live in Tucson and am looking for any information.

Blue skies and tailwinds,
Paul Brown

There's a whole lotta places in Arizona to use Bushwheels - dry washes, and river beds, little scratches all over the desert and hills, etc. But, if once you get here you decide you don't need em' drop me a private message.

I think you've got this backasswards, you should be summering in AK and wintering in AZ. Sounds like a relocation courtesy of Uncle Sam.

We never had bushwheels when I was young and riding around in my Dad's airplane. We made do with 8.00x6s, and we liked it!

Anyway, there sure are alot of great fishing spots we could have visited by air in eastern AZ if we'd had 'em!

M

Paul,

You should be able to answer that question yourself... There are wonderfull B-Wheel only places here in AZ and there are plenty of less than B-wheel places it just depends on where you want to go and how you want to treat your plane when you get there. No one "needs Bushwheels" I have 8:50s mounted up for easy change and NEVER take the B-wheels off

Take care, Rob

Look us up when you get down here. There are spots where a 172 is okay, and other spots Rob has been that would curl your hair. There is a guy named Mark Hawkins who has a 180 on 31's, he's a good stick and could show you a bunch of fun places perfect for you plane.

Speedbump,

I appreciate the reply. Yes, this is a relocation courtesy of Uncle Sam and I'm dragging my heels the whole way. I love flying in Alaska!

Your reply does make me feel much better about the move, however. I'll leave the 8.50x10s on for the trip down and we'll throw the fun tires back on this winter.

Let's have some fun.

Tailwinds,
Paul Brown

Paul

I just answered your PM, but I havebeen having some issues with them going through, so let me know if you get it/don't.

Thanks Gary

pnb987pb wrote:.....I'm currently running 31" Bushwheels on my '56 C-180 in Alaska and love them. However, I am considering selling them and just keeping my Gar Aero 8.50x10s........

By "GarAero 850x10" , I assume you mean Airtracs & not the shaved Goodyears?
In your opinion what are the pro's & con's of the ABW 31's versus the 850x10's?

Eric

Hot Rod 150,

I just spent an hour replying to you and our piece of crap internet service in Iraq died when I hit send. I'm not going to type it all again. Here's a synopsis:

I flew with 31s. Too much sidewall sway when loaded on steep beaches. Spring gear aggravates the issue. Swapped to 29" Bushwheels. Prob solved.

Also fly with 8.50x10s with Air Tracs. Love them too. Works for 90% of what I do. 5 mph faster than my 31" Bushwheels.

Semi-prepared to soft - 8.50x10s are great. Really rough - can't beat Bushwheels.

If you do go with 8.50x10s, look at Bushwheel's new one-piece wheel.

If you can explain to me how to post a pict, I've got one of my 8.50s and 31s side-by-side.

Tailwinds,
Paul Brown

speedbump wrote:Look us up when you get down here. There are spots where a 172 is okay, and other spots Rob has been that would curl your hair. There is a guy named Mark Hawkins who has a 180 on 31's, he's a good stick and could show you a bunch of fun places perfect for you plane.

Unfortunately Mark got killed at Red Creek some years ago. He had a really nice 180 with all kinds of trick stuff .Don't remember the wheels but they may have been big ones.