My missions require two different tires... So I have two sets mounted up on an extra set of wheels... 29" bushwheels for off airport playing and soft strips... And 8.50x6s for everything else. It takes me 20 minutes to swap between the two.

180driver wrote:My missions require two different tires... So I have two sets mounted up on an extra set of wheels... 29" bushwheels for off airport playing and soft strips... And 8.50x6s for everything else. It takes me 20 minutes to swap between the two.

This is what im going to do for swapping between 26'' AKBW and 8.00s. I also have a complete scott 3200 to swap out with the baby bushwheel. I'll keep a w&b in the plane for each configuration.

Since this has turned in to a informative thread for selecting the right tire for your mission, I thought I'd share my research since I just went through this process on the Wagon. Hopefully this is not too much of thread drift from the OP's question. Thanks to some of the previous authors for sharing their experiences.

I'm based at a paved airport in Colorado (KAPA) and I do a lot of cross-country flying. Most of the landing areas/fields nearest to me don't require bushwheels. We do have some BLM mining airstrips on the Western side of the state that have some rougher conditions (washouts, ravines, big rocks), etc, but I wouldn't necessarily want to endure/risk my 180 on those types of conditions anyways. For me, time is usually limited due to the day job ... so the 180 has been a great platform in terms of getting from one place to the other quickly. Therefore reducing the speed 10-15 mph w/ 31's didn't seem appealing. Furthermore, since I was upgrading from single puck brakes, the expense of both the cleveland 199-62 kit + the tires needed to be within limitations of wallet. Since the kit already came with new 6" wheels I didn't want go out an buy new 10" wheels for the 8.50x10 or 29s. That being said the "compromise" tire for me ended up being the Goodyear 26 Blimp tire. This was a significant size increase from orig tire, minor speed penalty on the wagon, allow for minor/moderate off airport conditions, and will the handle the pavement/long taxis of the airport where I am based.

FAA Field approval was a non-event. Thanks Rob and Gary for the sample 337s. The FSDO just wanted to see the TSO # and they were fine. Here are some pictures:

If anyone has a set of 26 AKBW that they feel don't fit their mission and would like to get rid of, PM me. I am interested in buying a good pair.

I have run most of these different size tires on my 180 Tire pressure is so key to get that squish action from the sidewalls. On the AH 29's and the 26" GY's I would run around 10's when going to rougher places. I would also put some adhesive on the rims to help prevent tire slippage.

Like many have said, mission should be what determines which tire. Nothing will beat the AKBW's on the roughest stuff.

Gary

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Is there an STC to install 26" Goodyears on a Cessna 180?
FWIW North Sound Aviation (Jim Hayton) has one for 6-ply 850x6 tires, STC # SA1601NM, maybe also Kenmore.

MTNWEST, Would you mind sending me a copy of your 337? I have been working with my FSDO in Spokane and getting conflicting statements. He has been wanting me to go with the 6 bolt cleveland wheels, While most set-ups I have seen have been with the 3 bolt cleveland wheels. I would appreciate the help.

Alan

MTNWEST wrote:........This was a significant size increase from orig tire, minor speed penalty on the wagon, allow for minor/moderate off airport conditions, and will the handle the pavement/long taxis of the airport where I am based.
FAA Field approval was a non-event. Thanks Rob and Gary for the sample 337s. The FSDO just wanted to see the TSO # and they were fine. ...

My thinking exactly on the 26" GY's.
Rob & Gary, if you could see your way to sending me copies of those 337's also, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.
~ Eric

SkywagonFloater wrote:MTNWEST, Would you mind sending me a copy of your 337? I have been working with my FSDO in Spokane and getting conflicting statements. He has been wanting me to go with the 6 bolt cleveland wheels, While most set-ups I have seen have been with the 3 bolt cleveland wheels. I would appreciate the help.

Alan

I agree, most of the folks I've seen have been running 3 bolt wheels (199-62 kit w/ 40-75D wheels) with the GY26 and AKBWs (at least for lighter 180s). PM me your e-mail and I'll send over a PDF attachment of the FAA approved 337. The 6 bolt vs 3 bolt issue I believe was discussed in a different thread before. Cleveland can provide the engineering and load rating specifications that may help with this aspect.

alec (at) flycolorado.org