Mine are deformed after 2 and a half years, very bouncy on pavement.
Is a flatter surface shape better than the round one I got?
Any brand in particular?

I assume the deformity is caused by running lower pressure.

I think I have the air hawks on my 180. I prefer them because they have less grooves to pick FOD up.

Those look like Air Tracs, correct?

I've had good luck on two 180's with Air Hawks (8.00 x 6) and Superhawks (8.50 x 6). They seem pretty true to size and well finished. Mine have sit a lot...more than I wanted too...never a deformity problem.

Ya...whichever one has the fewest groves. It's the groves that picks up rocks and throws them everywhere, including into the prop if you're unlucky enough.

Cutting the sides of the groves so they look more like a V instead of a U also helps. There's a special tool for doing that, but a sharp wood chisel works fine.

The reason your tires are deformed is because that's the patch that contacts the runway first (because your landing gear is bowed in when it's unweighted), and it's that first touch when the tires aren't rotating and you're going the fastest that scrubs off the most rubber. Once formed, flat spots tend to grow with use.

You can just about double the life of your tires by taking them off the wheel and rotating them, but unless you like doing that sort of thing it's really only worth it for bushwheels or other high-dollar tires.

motoadve wrote:Mine are deformed after 2 and a half years, very bouncy on pavement.
Is a flatter surface shape better than the round one I got?
Any brand in particular?

I assume the deformity is caused by running lower pressure.

Rotate your tires. Thats why they deformed.

As for the tire an 850/6 is not a backcountry tire.

Put a set of the Air Trac 850/10's on there! You still have tread for pavement, your not going to lose any airspeed and you can feel good about having a tire that is good for basic off field work. No brainer

AKT

Tempting to put 8.50s
If I can put a 7x6.00 on the nose I will probably end up putting 8.50s.

aktahoe1 wrote:
As for the tire an 850/6 is not a backcountry tire.

Put a set of the Air Trac 850/10's on there! You still have tread for pavement, your not going to lose any airspeed and you can feel good about having a tire that is good for basic off field work. No brainer

AKT

As for an 850x6 not being a back country tire is concerned it depends how far back country you want to go.

Tim

qmdv wrote:

As for an 850x6 not being a back country tire is concerned it depends how far back country you want to go.

Tim

Well said. I've seen evidence of 180's, 185's, Maules and cubs with 8.50's in some surprising places. Not saying that 29/31's don't have their place though...need is the mother of invention.

I knew a guide in Alaska who ran 8.50 tires on his cub for years, landing mostly off airport. He is a very good pilot.

As to tires, I won't buy anything but Goodyear's in those sizes. They wear longer and are generally a bit larger.

Goodyear's are more expensive, but you'll get more tire life.

MTV

mtv wrote:I knew a guide in Alaska who ran 8.50 tires on his cub for years, landing mostly off airport. He is a very good pilot.

As to tires, I won't buy anything but Goodyear's in those sizes. They wear longer and are generally a bit larger.

Goodyear's are more expensive, but you'll get more tire life.

MTV

I was going to take your advice when I bought new 8.50s for my 170 last year but the GYs were exactly twice the cost of the others and I just couldn't justify them.

I would rotate and or do a side to side swap of your tires Motoadve.

I'll let you know when Goodyear has a good year. Last set I witnessed had to be returned because they were so out of round.

They were for a 182. It has Michelins now and the owner is happier despite the dent in his wallet.

Dave, if I were in your shoes I'd consider Desser's smooth 8.50s. It's going to absorb the bumps the best out of all the smaller tire options. It uses softer rubber than a conventional tire. I've run mine down to 11 psi with no slipping issues (and might be able to go lower - just haven't tried) though I'm lighter than you.

https://www.desser.com/Aircraft-Tires-a ... -4-PLY.asp

Load rating is 1600lbs per tire, so well within the weight limit for your 182. Just have to figure out what to do with that nose wheel. There is a fellow up in Anacortes who is putting 8.50s all around on his 182.

aktahoe1 wrote:

Rotate your tires. Thats why they deformed.

As for the tire an 850/6 is not a backcountry tire.

Put a set of the Air Trac 850/10's on there! You still have tread for pavement, your not going to lose any airspeed and you can feel good about having a tire that is good for basic off field work. No brainer

AKT[/quote]

Rotating the tires is the only part of this I agree with.

Since when are 8.50's not backcountry?

I'm also confused by no speed loss on 850x10s.

Pinecone wrote:I'll let you know when Goodyear has a good year. Last set I witnessed had to be returned because they were so out of round.

They were for a 182. It has Michelins now and the owner is happier despite the dent in his wallet.

I have zero experience with Michelin aircraft tires, but their automotive tires are generally pretty high quality, so I would expect the same of their aircraft tires.

I have run a lot of Goodyears, and never had a problem, but I have no doubt that everybody produces a turkey now and again.

My experience with McReary (now owned by Desser, so maybe their quality is improved) was pretty sorry. I decided to save a few bucks once and bought a set for my 170 (8.50). They were almost two inches smaller in diameter, and have a very rounded profile, meaning much smaller ground contact patch. And, those tires lasted less than two seasons. The airplane was parked outside, and those tires weather checked badly in just a couple seasons.

I went back to Goodyears, and my experience with Goodyears vs McRearys on Cessna 185 and 206 work airplanes was that the Goodyears last twice to three times as long. They do cost more.

You get what you pay for. I also haven't bought any Goodyears in four or five years, so times may have changed.

YMMV

MTV

Might go with 8.50s now (If the 7x6 fits the fork)
Im tempted to go with the ones Sam suggested, Im worried they will wear on pavement? and 4 ply for the weight of my 182?

Has anyone seen them or put them on 182s or 180s 185s?

https://www.desser.com/Aircraft-Tires-a ... -4-PLY.asp

If not which is a preferred 8.50 brand? I see Goodyear ?
How is the AirhawK?

motoadve wrote:Has anyone seen them or put them on 182s or 180s 185s?

https://www.desser.com/Aircraft-Tires-a ... -4-PLY.asp

If not which is a preferred 8.50 brand? I see Goodyear ?
How is the AirhawK?

I like the Super Hawks as far as 8.50's go. Really good luck with mine.

On your question above....I too would like to know too; the only thing i worry about is gross weight. At 3350...i'm assuming i'd be over the rating of the tires but maybe my understanding of "per tire" rating is off.

Bill

fiftynineSC wrote:

motoadve wrote:Has anyone seen them or put them on 182s or 180s 185s?

https://www.desser.com/Aircraft-Tires-a ... -4-PLY.asp

If not which is a preferred 8.50 brand? I see Goodyear ?
How is the AirhawK?

I like the Super Hawks as far as 8.50's go. Really good luck with mine.

On your question above....I too would like to know too; the only thing i worry about is gross weight. At 3350...i'm assuming i'd be over the rating of the tires but maybe my understanding of "per tire" rating is off.

Bill

X2. I actually have the super hawks as well, not the air hawks. They have been great for me so far on my 180. Almost got a set of smooth dessers, but wasn't sure about the 4 ply either. Hoping to hear more on them.

Might oughta check your alignment, too, especially if that wear is more pronounced on one tire than the other. My left gear got out of alignment over several years and caused excessive wear on that tire, enough that I decided to replace it at the same time that the alignment was done. Since you run on some rougher strips, that could be a factor.

FWIW, I've been running Michelins for about 12 years, and except for having to replace the one early due to the bad alignment, I've been very happy with them. One of the things that has impressed me is that they were perfectly balanced as delivered and have stayed that way.

Many years ago when my then pard and I replaced the mains on our first 182, we bought McCreary, and that left such a sour taste in my mouth that I'd never buy another. They were horribly out of balance, and even after the local mechanic tried to balance them, they still vibrated. They may be much improved under Dresser, but I'll stick with Michelins.

Cary

Cary wrote:...
FWIW, I've been running Michelins for about 12 years, and except for having to replace the one early due to the bad alignment, I've been very happy with them. ...

Cary

The best thing about those Michelins is how easily they roll backwards when you're putting the airplane in a hangar.

Hammer wrote:

Cary wrote:...
FWIW, I've been running Michelins for about 12 years, and except for having to replace the one early due to the bad alignment, I've been very happy with them. ...

Cary

The best thing about those Michelins is how easily they roll backwards when you're putting the airplane in a hangar.

I make no claims about their back country use--everywhere I land or taxi is either paved or relatively smooth grass/gravel/dirt--and yeah, they do roll into the hangar pretty nicely.

Cary