Does anyone have 31's on a 185, i am just about to buy my first set and was wondering how they are? also are there different sizes of tail wheel does anyone know or is it a standard BW on the tail.

I think they recommend the 29's for 180/185's....heavier side wall, may not vibrate as much at higher cruise speeds, etc. Call Wup. You won't regret the baby bushwheel.

Chris

Welcome to BP!

I run 850x10's on my 180. I have run 31's and 29x11x10's also. The 29's are really pretty much ideal for 180/185s.

Where are you in Kenya? I've spent a fair amount of time in Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia.

If thorns are an issue then the 29s are probably going to work better for you.

Hi, thanks for the welcome so far BP is proving to be pretty handy. I am based in north kenya and am looking for a tire which will help me to land in soft sand which is some times wet. I have seen some 3I's and they look a like a nice size for the I85, i will be landing pretty heavy as will be carrying quite alot, and not on very rough ground just soft and some times a bit uneven. On the well proved thoery of 'go big or go home" i thought the 3I's would be the best but would like to hear what others have to say. Thorns will not be a problem as will avoid them, hows does the tire cope with weight and what kind of psi do you use in them?

This guy seems to do just fine on 29s.

29's all the way for the 180. WUP from AK BW will tell you the same I am pretty certain. Love my 29's! Good luck!

AKT

Something else that may be a factor, someone please correct me if I'm mistaken, is that the 31s are only rated for 1500# per tire as opposed to 1800# for the 29s.

The big TW, either AKB or Gar, will make a huge difference also.

Over all I think 29s work best on a 185.

Thanks you guys for the info on tires, am trying to try out some 3I's that a friend of mine has then make a decision. Now something else what radios does everyone use i need a new one, have looked at the Icom A210 Panel Mount Radio looks nice, but i have always had BK's. Also does anyone have a good website i can look at for radios. The same questions go for a ADF so i can replace my antiquated one.

Cheers

Garmin SL40 or 30 if you want VOR. Google Stark avionics.

The basic Garmin radios have become the industry standard, it seems. If you need an IFR GPS as well, there are lots of Garmin 430 s out there now in overhauled condition, since the latest release of the newest generation of Garmin avionics.

The Garmin 430's are great radios.

MTV

skywagon wrote: I think they recommend the 29's for 180/185's....heavier side wall, may not vibrate as much at higher cruise speeds, etc. ............

Are you referring to the 29x10" (shaved) GY's, or the 29" BW's?
I've seen some heavier airplanes running the 850x10 airtracs, those look like a pretty good show.

not flying a cessna but my recently put on 29 11 10 air hawks from ABW are great/// slowed me down about 10 MPH though but then I'm not flying a ferrari it's a Jeep , so to speak...at Wups suggestion I have them at 12 lbs and can go as low as 9 lbs for off road work... they also weigh a considerable more pounds... at 43 lbs shaved each they have been a significant weight addition but then the bennies outweigh the detractors.....

iceman wrote: not flying a cessna but my recently put on 29 11 10 air hawks from ABW are great...they also weigh a considerable more pounds... at 43 lbs shaved each they have been a significant weight addition .....

What's the pro's & con's for running 29" shaved GY's versus 850x10 airtracs? Looks like the airtrac's are quite a bit lighter, even the 8-ply's are only 21# a side plus tube. Are the shaved GY's totally treadless? Guess that'd be better as far as not throwing rocks.

mine are Air Hawks, not good year... and there is a tread on them.. I've been told shaving takes about 5 lbs off each tire.. wheel and tire together weigh 43 lbs and my plane can handle the extra since it's usually only me and my backcountry creature comforts going anywhere... With full fuel I can stuff 700 lbs of me and stuff in it... when I go to Idaho my back is floor to ceiling with gear and only about 180 lbs total..add my 170 lbs, (well, about anyway) give or take 20 lbs..and I'm still way below gross...8:50 10's are always an option now for me and would probably take me anywhere I want to go but there is the cool factor also.. I know everyone is now snickering but I have noticed a significant increase in the size of a certain body part...

Right well i just tried out the 3I B/W on my I85 and it was awesume, first ran at I8 lbs and then went down to I0lbs with 300lts and two up very smooth and steady. Brake wasn't as effective but i soon learnt it's just a different way of applying them when wanting a really short landing. Everything seemed much slower and in control. Even take off was shorter??. Amazing on wash aways along river banks which where always the problem before. So Wup has already received my order.

You're taking off shorter because of the extra angle of attack the tires give you. I noticed my 170 seems to take off a little sooner too with the 26'' bushwheels I just put on.

yes I agree,, i too get off the ground sooner.. at first I thought i was mistaken but after numerous T&G's It is obvious that it gets off sooner...a definite plus....

Iceman what plan you flying with which tires?

If your 185 is an F model like mine you can't run the 31" tire per the STC because the gross weight is too high. I called last week asking for an STC for some used 31's I bought from my buddy, learning about this I broke down and bought 29" which is what I was actually wanting in the first place. I also have a baby bush wheel on its way. I will give a report when I get a chance. I am going to sell the 31's, one is in good shape and the other is showing some cord but could be rotated to the opposite side.

mine is a M4 Maule with cont 210 HP IO 360... and I have shaved air hawks 29 11 10's I bought from ABW.... if anyone wants to see what 29 11 10's look like on a 180/185 check the last video posted on the caveman thread by Amacbean.. the two cessnas at caveman hav them...