I am not quite sure why several people say that 26's are barely larger than 8.50x6s. Sure the Goodyear 26 is not a true 26 and is close in size, but larger still to an 8.50x6. If you get 26 ABW, they are a true 26, and a full 5 inches larger than 8.50x6's. I will be putting my ABW 26's back on in a couple weeks and take a few pics. There is a significant difference in size and off-field performance

Also, many pilots don't like how stiff the GY 26's are, and in a light plane such as a Cub or Scout, I could understand not liking the tire. But on a heavy plane such as a Skywagon they perform well by giving you that extra flotation. Aired down, they do fine rolling over rocks and chuck-holes. They are heavy, but last forever and are relatively cheap.

Something to think about,....

Will the ABW 26" run on a 6" wheel like the Goodyears will?

yes the 26 29 a31in real busheheels al use the 6in clevland wheel.

Zane, are you refering to the tires turning on the wheel? If so, I have 29" ABWs usually running at 8 psi and they haven't moved yet. Even if the ABWs did turn there is no tube so you can't shear the valve stem off. ABW makes a great product and Wup, and everybody there seem to great folks looking out for your best interest.

Just my $0.02....

ccurrie wrote:yes the 26 29 a31in real busheheels al use the 6in clevland wheel.

I found with the 31" ABW a spacer is needed to bush the wheel out a bit (1/4") so the brake caliper don't rub the tire. At least thats what happened with the Sportsman. The 29" clear just fine. I guess the 31's are a little fatter also.

Thought the pic would show the differences well. 8.5X10 vs 8.5X6 vs 8X6. May not look like much, but when you consider the difference in footprint for weight distribution in the soft stuff and ability to roll over the rough stuff - it's quite a bit. There's a similar difference going up to the 29X11X10s.

Thanks for posting those pics, I had no idea the 8.5x10 was that much bigger than a 8.5x6.

We run 8.5X10 tires on our Super Cub with the Gar Aero adapters. The Gar Aero's are wider at the rim than the Bushwheel rim. This makes the tire slightly shorter with a wider track. Keep this in mind when deciding on a wheel.

Brian.

I am really loving the 26 in Good Years. While I was at Johnson Creek, the test pilot from Aviat advised me to drop the pressure to 9 pounds. What a difference. I have single puck brakes, which seem adequate. He said not to worry about the tires slipping with single puck brakes. That was five months and 75 hours ago. So far, no problem. They are fantastic. They absorb the jarring and roll over the rough stuff. I got mine from Desser.
26/10.5-6 6 PLY GOODYEAR SMOOTH TIRE WITH TUBE
Unit Price In Shopping Cart
560.00
I lost 8 miles per hour from the 8.50's
Here are the weights of the new tires I've tried:
Condor 800's w/tube 14.6 # ea.
McCreary 850's w/tube 18.4 ea
Good Year 26x10.5x6 25.7 ea
the heights are approx 17 , 19, and 23 in.

Oversize Smooth Tire, AKA Goodyear Tundra Tire. This Tire Is FAA TSO'd, But You Need To Check Suitability And Approval For Use On Your Aircraft With Your Local Feds. This Kit Does Not Include STC. Free Inner Tube Included.



I'm sure that the 29" airhawks or some of the bushwheels would be even better. But for the money, the 26 in Good years have satisfied my needs.

At work, we have a Caravan with the larger tires. 8.50X10's The tread is almost worn off and I was wondering if anyone has tried worn out Caravan tires on the ten inch rim set up instead of the 29x11x10 brushed tire.

skymaule wrote:I am really loving the 26 in Good Years. While I was at Johnson Creek, the test pilot from Aviat advised me to drop the pressure to 9 pounds. What a difference. I have single puck brakes, which seem adequate. He said not to worry about the tires slipping with single puck brakes. That was five months and 75 hours ago. So far, no problem. They are fantastic. They absorb the jarring and roll over the rough stuff. I got mine from Desser.

To help prevent slipping when running the 26 Goodyear at low pressure, you can increase friction between the tire bead and wheel. Break bead on tire, clean both bead area and mating wheel flange with alcohol to remove any mold residue etc. Paint tire bead with thin coat of rubber cement (this is the glue that is used for patching inner tubes - - not the "rubber cement" used for gluing paper!). Let glue on tire bead dry before re-inflating wheel or allowing bead to contact wheel flange. Put witness mark (I use red paint) on tire and wheel to indicate any future slippage.

bumper

skymaule, The Caravan tires most likely are heavier ply 8-10 ply??, While the ones we are talking about are made in the same mould, but with only 3 ply’s. That would make a huge weight difference. jg

Roger that! I think I'll keep them when we change tires in case someone wants to try them.

I may have posted this already, but just happened upon these figures again:
(Note: these tires are slightly used, but lots of remaining life/rubber on them)

-DP

I weighed my 26" Goodyears on a 70lb shipping scale
that I have. Here's what I got for tires and 8:50 Tubes:

With Tubes:
#1 26 lb, 5.5 oz
#2 25 lb, 15.0 oz

Without Tubes:
#1 22 lb, 13.0 oz
#2 22 lb, 7.0 oz

Tubes Only:
#1 3 lb, 8.5 oz
#2 3 lb, 7.7 oz

Anyone run the 26" GY tubless? My particular wheel (Matco MH series) sells a tubless conversion kit that they have some of their customers use. Any thoughts on upsides/downsides?

8.5x6 vs 8.5x10 vs 29x11x10
More pics for comparison. I won't be needing the 8.5 x 10s anymore, but will be keeping the 8.5x6s, hopefully for ski ops? Looks like James recently upgraded tires and wheels on the Maule too? Those guys at AK bushwheel can really make a guy feel good about spending money - highly recommended.

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Them 'er some big sneakers Mattie!
We best get 'em mounted up and check 'em for roundness!

James the maule tailspring is fairly tough and a bigger tire, at low presure ,is easier on the spring than a small hard one in my opinion. So put it on and go have fun. Your tailwheel is always vulnerable on rough terain so keep it off the ground as much as posible!

James
Now you've got that M4 lookin like it's supposed to!!
I've got lots of tail wheel parts for the GARAERO adapter for the 3200. PM me if you needs some parts.
The Maule flies just fine with out the tail wheel on it. You just have to use those breaks to turn it once you get slowed down??
I've also got a XP 10" tailwheel and ski that would hook up to the back of your M4.
If the snow gets real serious this winter I've got a set of wheel ski's I might bum you for the winter. They need some work and new ptex on the bottoms tho.
You will find that now with those big tires on the front, you will have to really start paying attention to where you put the little one down!!
They tend to come off on big rocks and trees where the big front ones just roll on over that stuff. It's good to carry a couple of ratchet straps and an axe so you can whittle out a skid and attach it to get home sometimes!!.
GT

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