Howdy everyone. I've been looking at used bushwheels. What do I need to worry about when the seller says they are good but have cracks in the side walls. Maybe three years old. Not alot of landing and only flown by grama to church on sundays.

Quote from someone, can't remember who: "buying used bushwheels is like buying a used condom".

Unless you're getting a amazing deal I'd save up for some new rubbers. Also check with ABW for serial numbers as some (older tires) are not worthy on certified aircraft.

They were 1k musta been a good deal I was waitin on pics and someone scooped em up. 29"

I've seen them before but they seem to always have cracks in the walls. I'm curious if its a problem or not. I had a truck tire that ran over road debree a week after I bought it. Cut in the sidewall of the tire. No road hazard because this never happens when I buy road hazard insurance. Went back where I bought it to get another one. Small tire store, the owner said not to worry the outside of the sidewall was only cosmetic. So I' m wondering if this is the same kinda deal.

If a guy bought new bushwheels, is there a way to prevent sidewall cracking and crazing? Some sort of conditioning like Armor All? Does storage outside and UV cause accelerated wear, or is it just a SOP result of running low pressure and letting those sidewalls flex as intended?

Mine came with a sample bag of 303 aerospace protectant they also suggest wood tire covers painted white.

Rubber by nature keeps vucanizing as it ages direct sunlight and heat accelerate this that is why old tires are hard as rocks.

I'm swapping out old for new 29 inchers that were put on in 2004. The cords are showing but no sidewall cracking. They have been in the hangar 99.9% of the time though.

I've seen guys up in AK that build a their own box shaped covers out of plywood. They sit over top of the tires and have a slits on the backsides to go over the gear legs. They then paint them with UV resistant paint.

robw56 wrote:I've seen guys up in AK that build a their own box shaped covers out of plywood. They sit over top of the tires and have a slits on the backsides to go over the gear legs. They then paint them with UV resistant paint.

The good ones have the forward side built like a step stool to help you reach the wings.

Ahh yeah now that I think about it I have seen that before, good idea.

robw56 wrote:I've seen guys up in AK that build a their own box shaped covers out of plywood. They sit over top of the tires and have a slits on the backsides to go over the gear legs. They then paint them with UV resistant paint.

There's a ramp mummy 180 at VCB with these. Call up Wupp at ABW and ask him about the cracks.

mountainmatt wrote: Quote from someone, can't remember who: "buying used bushwheels is like buying a used condom".......

Did you hear about the biker who went into the drugstore & asked how much it cost to get a condom patched? He pulled out the filthy drippy tattered thing to show the pharmacist, who gave him the bad news-- you can't patch a condom. The biker left, totally dejected. But he was back in a couple hours, all smiles-- "you win, the club voted to buy a new one!"

hotrod150 wrote:

mountainmatt wrote: Quote from someone, can't remember who: "buying used bushwheels is like buying a used condom".......

Did you hear about the biker who went into the drugstore & asked how much it cost to get a condom patched? He pulled out the filthy drippy tattered thing to show the pharmacist, who gave him the bad news-- you can't patch a condom. The biker left, totally dejected. But he was back in a couple hours, all smiles-- "you win, the club voted to buy a new one!"

Yup. Disgusting So anyway, I was taking a shit this morning and..........