I spoke with one of the engineers at Desser today. I told him if they made their 27.5" and 29" tundra tire in a 6" wheel variant they would be very popular. He said I wasn't the first person to mention it, but he would bring it up within the company again. I know this topic has been discussed on this forum and many others a lot, but he did say if we showed a large interest it may help the company decide it's worth pursing. As we all know, upgrading to an 8" or 10" wheel is an expensive undertaking. Keeping the standard 6" wheel keeps your airplane open to more tire options in the future, whether that be upgrading to ABW or going to a smaller tire for long trips, the user no longer has to juggle wheel sizes. He did say if they did it the tire would have a TSO, but no STC, which means field approvals or experimental only.

I'm going to regretfully attach a poll to this thread to see if I can gauge the interest, I think eventually I may make an online petition so it can be more universally "signed" by non-members of BCP.

While I appreciate a spirited discussion, I'd rather not use this thread to argue against the idea. In my limited discussion with my local pilot community there is a bit of interest and I'd like to help advertise that interest here.

Thanks for participating.

Shut up and take my money. Anything larger than the Desser 8.50s that fit on 6" wheels will have my credit card on file immediately.

Not kidding, wallet open right now

Same here, id love a bigger alternative to the 8.50s. The ABW is a great product, but extremely cost prohibitive and I don't need anything that extreme for the flying I do.

Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk

aftCG wrote:Shut up and take my money. Anything larger than the Desser 8.50s that fit on 6" wheels will have my credit card on file immediately.

Not kidding, wallet open right now

X2!

Anxiously awaiting to see this dream come true.

Would love to be excited, but with no STC they are useless to all us Canadians...

IMHO their manufacturing an 8" tire was kind of a weird decision--
how many 8" aviation wheels are there, vs 6 or 10 inch?

FWIW I wrote to Desser about a month ago, asking if they had plans to develop a bigger 6" smoothie
as I thought it would be a big seller.
One advantage to a 26" tire is that it might be easier to approve, for those of us who already have a field approval for 26" GY's.

"Hi Desser:
I like your new-ish line of "tundra tires", however you don't make one that quite fits my needs. Do you have any plans to offer one that's bigger than the 850-6, but still fits on a 6" wheel? About 26" OD would be about right-- comparable to the 26x10.5-6 Goodyear, but a full 26" diameter, & lighter weight with flexier sidewalls.
A tire like this would be perfect for my Cessna 180, & I know a lot of 180/185 guys who would buy them also. It would certainly help if they were STC'd as to avoid having to get a field approval.
Thank you for your attention,"

Here's their reply:

"Thank you for contacting us.
Right now, we’re going to leave the 26” tundra tire market to Goodyear. We don’t have any plans to make a bigger tundra tire in the 6” rim. HOWEVER…
There is a 10” Grove wheel and brake assembly kit with the 850-10 4PLY tundra tire we just got an STC for the C180/185/206. The kit price comes with wheels, brakes, and a set a 850-10 4 tundra tires for $3995.00. STC is extra from Sea Planes North. 850-10 is roughly a 25” diameter tire. In stock ready to ship.
Best Regards,
Tim Wong
Government Contracts / Inside Sales Manager"

hotrod180 wrote:IMHO their manufacturing an 8" tire was kind of a weird decision--
how many 8" aviation wheels are there, vs 6 or 10 inch?

FWIW I wrote to Desser about a month ago, asking if they had plans to develop a bigger 6" smoothie
as I thought it would be a big seller.
One advantage to a 26" tire is that it might be easier to approve, for those of us who already have a field approval for 26" GY's.

"Hi Desser:
I like your new-ish line of "tundra tires", however you don't make one that quite fits my needs. Do you have any plans to offer one that's bigger than the 850-6, but still fits on a 6" wheel? About 26" OD would be about right-- comparable to the 26x10.5-6 Goodyear, but a full 26" diameter, & lighter weight with flexier sidewalls.
A tire like this would be perfect for my Cessna 180, & I know a lot of 180/185 guys who would buy them also. It would certainly help if they were STC'd as to avoid having to get a field approval.
Thank you for your attention,"

Here's their reply:

"Thank you for contacting us.
Right now, we’re going to leave the 26” tundra tire market to Goodyear. We don’t have any plans to make a bigger tundra tire in the 6” rim. HOWEVER…
There is a 10” Grove wheel and brake assembly kit with the 850-10 4PLY tundra tire we just got an STC for the C180/185/206. The kit price comes with wheels, brakes, and a set a 850-10 4 tundra tires for $3995.00. STC is extra from Sea Planes North. 850-10 is roughly a 25” diameter tire. In stock ready to ship.
Best Regards,
Tim Wong
Government Contracts / Inside Sales Manager"

4 ply tire for a 185 and 206? Seems pretty light for a heavy aircraft...

It would be nice if they finished the STC for the 31 inch tires on the Cessna that was going to be out Summer of 2016 first!!!
DENNY

YES PLEASE, A 26" FOR A 6 INCH WHEEL

I agree that the 8.50 they make is the perfect balance of weight, wear and flexibility. Would love to have the same compound on a larger tire with a 6" wheel. I can't even consider the goodyears because they are essentially the same size and much heavier and stiffer.

A1Skinner wrote:Would love to be excited, but with no STC they are useless to all us Canadians...

Can't someone else develop the STC? I don't think it needs to be the manufacturer.

hotrod180 wrote:IMHO their manufacturing an 8" tire was kind of a weird decision--
how many 8" aviation wheels are there, vs 6 or 10 inch?

FWIW I wrote to Desser about a month ago, asking if they had plans to develop a bigger 6" smoothie
as I thought it would be a big seller.
One advantage to a 26" tire is that it might be easier to approve, for those of us who already have a field approval for 26" GY's.

"Hi Desser:
I like your new-ish line of "tundra tires", however you don't make one that quite fits my needs. Do you have any plans to offer one that's bigger than the 850-6, but still fits on a 6" wheel? About 26" OD would be about right-- comparable to the 26x10.5-6 Goodyear, but a full 26" diameter, & lighter weight with flexier sidewalls.
A tire like this would be perfect for my Cessna 180, & I know a lot of 180/185 guys who would buy them also. It would certainly help if they were STC'd as to avoid having to get a field approval.
Thank you for your attention,"

Here's their reply:

"Thank you for contacting us.
Right now, we’re going to leave the 26” tundra tire market to Goodyear. We don’t have any plans to make a bigger tundra tire in the 6” rim. HOWEVER…
There is a 10” Grove wheel and brake assembly kit with the 850-10 4PLY tundra tire we just got an STC for the C180/185/206. The kit price comes with wheels, brakes, and a set a 850-10 4 tundra tires for $3995.00. STC is extra from Sea Planes North. 850-10 is roughly a 25” diameter tire. In stock ready to ship.
Best Regards,
Tim Wong
Government Contracts / Inside Sales Manager"

We had a similar discussion about the 26" GY. I think they are toeing a fine line of being GY's distributor and not directly competing with that tire. They didn't seem aware that it wasn't a true 26" tire. I suggested the 27.5 or 29" as a starter so that they wouldn't "compete" with the 26" GY.

hamer wrote:I agree that the 8.50 they make is the perfect balance of weight, wear and flexibility. Would love to have the same compound on a larger tire with a 6" wheel. I can't even consider the goodyears because they are essentially the same size and much heavier and stiffer.

A1Skinner wrote:Would love to be excited, but with no STC they are useless to all us Canadians...

Can't someone else develop the STC? I don't think it needs to be the manufacturer.

Ya anyone can, but for a manufacturer that has other STCs and PMA/TSO, connections with the FAA, why wouldn't they just carry it through right to STC? You don't have to talk to many people to hear that FAs are getting harder to get, and they limit themselves basically to US and experimental sales that way by not following it right through. They sound like a fantastic tire, just get frustrated with the lack of forethought for selling out of the US.

A1Skinner wrote:Ya anyone can, but for a manufacturer that has other STCs and PMA/TSO, connections with the FAA, why wouldn't they just carry it through right to STC? You don't have to talk to many people to hear that FAs are getting harder to get, and they limit themselves basically to US and experimental sales that way by not following it right through. They sound like a fantastic tire, just get frustrated with the lack of forethought for selling out of the US.

Yea, I think a lot of companies either don't have the man power or desire to deal with the FAA and limit it at all costs. Getting a TSO for a tire requires significantly less work than approval of multiple aircraft and the testing involved in that. I designed a very simple metal part for PA28s earlier in 2020 and I'm still working with the ACO trying to get an STC. It is an exhaustive process. The FAA treats GA like the airlines and that's the real problem.

Maybe anyone who's interested in a bigger 6" tire from Desser should contact them and ask for it.
Maybe they don't really know what the market potential is.
I'd suggest reaching out to the guy who answered my "dear Desser" email:

Tim Wong
Government Contracts / Inside Sales Manager
Office: (323) 721-4900 Ext. 349
Direct: (323) 767-1535
Fax: (323) 721-7888
Mobile: (323) 236-0061
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.desser.com

As far as STC, this is a quote from their email to me:
"There is a 10” Grove wheel and brake assembly kit with the 850-10 4PLY tundra tire we just got an STC for the C180/185/206. The kit price comes with wheels, brakes, and a set a 850-10 4 tundra tires for $3995.00. STC is extra from Sea Planes North."

They say "they" got the STC, but that it has to be purchased from Seaplanes North.
So maybe SPN actually developed & owns the STC?

As far as 4 ply not being stout enough,
FWIW the factory equipment list for my 1953 C180 lists 4 ply 800x6 tires as an option.
The 26" GY's are plenty stout, but that's both a blessing & a curse--
IMHO they're a bit heavier & stiffer than ideal for a light 180.

hotrod180 wrote:Maybe anyone who's interested in a bigger 6" tire from Desser should contact them and ask for it.
Maybe they don't really know what the market potential is.
I'd suggest reaching out to the guy who answered my "dear Desser" email:

Tim Wong
Government Contracts / Inside Sales Manager
Office: (323) 721-4900 Ext. 349
Direct: (323) 767-1535
Fax: (323) 721-7888
Mobile: (323) 236-0061
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.desser.com

As far as STC, this is a quote from their email to me:
"There is a 10” Grove wheel and brake assembly kit with the 850-10 4PLY tundra tire we just got an STC for the C180/185/206. The kit price comes with wheels, brakes, and a set a 850-10 4 tundra tires for $3995.00. STC is extra from Sea Planes North."

They say "they" got the STC, but that it has to be purchased from Seaplanes North.
So maybe SPN actually developed & owns the STC?

As far as 4 ply not being stout enough,
FWIW the factory equipment list for my 1953 C180 lists 4 ply 800x6 tires as an option.
The 26" GY's are plenty stout, but that's both a blessing & a curse--
IMHO they're a bit heavier & stiffer than ideal for a light 180.

Ya im curious who actually has the STC there.
For stoutness, notice I only said 185/206? I know a lighter 180 should be fine, but a grossed up 3600lb 206 on 4 ply? I wouldn't trust that. Especially hearing of how heavier 180 guys are having issues with the 4 ply 8.50 smooth Dessers already.

hamer wrote:

A1Skinner wrote:Ya anyone can, but for a manufacturer that has other STCs and PMA/TSO, connections with the FAA, why wouldn't they just carry it through right to STC? You don't have to talk to many people to hear that FAs are getting harder to get, and they limit themselves basically to US and experimental sales that way by not following it right through. They sound like a fantastic tire, just get frustrated with the lack of forethought for selling out of the US.

Yea, I think a lot of companies either don't have the man power or desire to deal with the FAA and limit it at all costs. Getting a TSO for a tire requires significantly less work that approval of multiple aircraft and the testing involved in that. I designed a very simple metal part for PA28s earlier in 2020 and I'm still working with the ACO trying to get an STC. It is an exhaustive process. The FAA treats GA like the airlines and that's the real problem.

I agree, it is a pain how GA is painted with the airline brush. It hurts GA overall. I see aircraft manufacturers hurt because of the lack of STCs available as well. When the cost of adding something like an MT prop is an extra $4000 because of the need for a LSTC, it makes it hard to even consider owning that type of aircraft. I think there is great demand for ABW competition, but that will require an STC to be true competition. If Desser makes the tired though, perhaps SPN will get the STC. That would be great!

^^I would think the 27.5" should be 4-ply and the 29" would be 6-ply.

A1Skinner wrote:

hamer wrote:

A1Skinner wrote:Ya anyone can, but for a manufacturer that has other STCs and PMA/TSO, connections with the FAA, why wouldn't they just carry it through right to STC? You don't have to talk to many people to hear that FAs are getting harder to get, and they limit themselves basically to US and experimental sales that way by not following it right through. They sound like a fantastic tire, just get frustrated with the lack of forethought for selling out of the US.

Yea, I think a lot of companies either don't have the man power or desire to deal with the FAA and limit it at all costs. Getting a TSO for a tire requires significantly less work that approval of multiple aircraft and the testing involved in that. I designed a very simple metal part for PA28s earlier in 2020 and I'm still working with the ACO trying to get an STC. It is an exhaustive process. The FAA treats GA like the airlines and that's the real problem.

I agree, it is a pain how GA is painted with the airline brush. It hurts GA overall. I see aircraft manufacturers hurt because of the lack of STCs available as well. When the cost of adding something like an MT prop is an extra $4000 because of the need for a LSTC, it makes it hard to even consider owning that type of aircraft. I think there is great demand for ABW competition, but that will require an STC to be true competition. If Desser makes the tired though, perhaps SPN will get the STC. That would be great!

I would consider going through the process with the FAA myself, but I'd need to talk to them first to figure out the scope of testing required for a tire STC. Might be cost prohibitive for me.

^^Well I'll buy them from you if you go through with it!

Starting on page 53, this doc outlines all the testing required for tire STC approval. It seems like ABW probably got approval before all these requirements. It's quite a bit of ground and flight testing required for each type.

AC23-17C

You should add a "not interested" option.
-Statistician