Tire Choice

[Fdxflier]

I have a kit on order and am debating about the tires. Most of my flying will probably be on paved strips but my goal is to do a significant amount of flying from grass/dirt strips. As it stands I have ordered the 850 x 6 6 ply treaded tires with tubes. My decision is based on 1) I like the looks of the bigger tires 2) I think the larger tires will be better on grass/dirt and 3) I suspect the treaded tires will perform and wear better on paved strips. Since I have no experience with tail draggers and back country flying and only a few hundred hours flying light airplanes I am looking for advice/recommendations on my choice.

[Hockeystud87]

I just did a lot of research on this topic and am going to purchased the 22" 850x6 desser tires. From what I understand these are about as small as most the kit fox guys run who do any type of off airport flying. What I have noticed is that most people start with the 22" 850 (A few with the 21/800 desser) and they quickly go up to a 26"+ tire. The Desser 27.5 on the 8" wheel is very popular and will most likely be the set I go with.

I also plan on running the 850's tubeless which I have spoken to many people saying they have all done this with little issue even tho they say tubed type.

If you stick with the e series matco wheel they claim you can just buy new wheels ranging from 6", 8", 10", 12" and they bolt right on your axle and brake setup.

Below is what I plan on doing.

Matco 6" wheel e series with single caliper brakes
1.25" matco axle
tubeless kit
22" 850 desser - tubeless

I also fly a model 4 1200

[aviator79]

Full disclosure up front: I haven't actually *flown* on my tires yet.

I have the Desser 22" 850 x 6" smooth tires. They are popular, and seem like a good compromise for a multi-mission airplane. Not too draggy, but still give some cushion on rough surfaces. They do well off pavement, but don't wear too quickly when on pavement. They don't cost $1500 a piece.

I've landed on bigger tires, which makes it feel like you're landing on a giant marshmallow. It's really nice. Will the big tire bug bite after I have some experience on the 22s? Time will tell.

[jiott]

I have been using the Desser 800x6 tires for 5 years and plan to replace them soon with the 850x6 smoothies. Tire choice is supposedly all about performance in off airport landings, but I suspect that the majority of folks that buy the 26" and up bushwheels do so for the cool macho look factor. I will readily admit that I would do the same if I could afford it. However, I am quite sure that if I had 29's on my plane I would not go anywhere that my 21"/22" would not be just fine. Some may disagree, but in my opinion anything designated as an airport/airstrip turf or dirt backcountry or not can be handled adequately by the Desser 22"/850x6 tires. The same goes for many of the off-airport river gravel bars.

I sincerely am not throwing stones or making fun of the big tire guys because as I said before I really like the look and "extra cushion" it gives you for bad landings. Also no question the hard core Trent Palmer/Cowboys guys really need them. This is meant as a tickler for discussion and I would be very interested to hear from those that disagree, and those that have honestly found the 22" tires to be inadequate for the type of backcountry flying they do. Has anyone actually sustained damage by using the 22" where they feel larger bushwheels would have prevented it? Has anyone actually changed their choices of rough landing areas by switching from 22" to larger bushwheels?

[airlina]

Bill, Like you, when I ordered and built my Series 5 ,15 years ago,I went with the 8.50 treaded tires for the same reasons you specified, however that turned out to be a bad idea. With those tires, landing on pavement was always a bout with mr.toads wild ride. Reason was that those tires weigh a bunch and required a lot of force to spin up on initial touchdown sending you on the forementioned wild ride. Next tire was a treaded 8.00 size tire with a much reduced weight and the problem went away. I fell prey last summer to big tire envy like a bunch of other guys and went with the Desser 8.50 smoothies and absolutely love em. Same weight as the 8.00 treaded that I replaced (for sale by the way) and no surprises on touchdown on pavement. I do 75% grass ,25% hard surfaces and though I only have 50 hours on them , no wear is evident plus they look cool ,and my cruise only went doen a couple MPH. hope this helps Bruce N199CL

[Hockeystud87]

airlina did you go tubed or tubeless? I just got those tires for the KF 4 and i'm going tubeless.