"Tundra Tires"?

[Av8r_Sed]

The ATV tires are pretty light. Any other wheels and tires would probably add weight unless you want to go for the tiny pavement only type.

[av8rps]

I've always thought we needed a tire for our Kitfoxes that was somewhere between the $200 (or less) set of 21 inch tires and the $2,000 to $3,000 set of 26-31 inch Alaskan Bushwheel tires. But it seems that no one really made such a tire.

Then one day I discovered the Goodyear 26 inch "Blimp" tires. I originally bought a set of them for my Highlander, but honestly, they looked a bit whimpy on the Highlander (marginally too small). However, when I held them up against my model IV Kitfox project in my garage, they looked just about perfect. In fact, I'd say they looked pretty horny on the Kitfox (hey, that's what the real bush pilots call that...). The size was just about perfect, whereas many times the ABW's just look too large compared to the size of the airplane (IMHO).

So here's what I have since learned about the Goodyear 26 inch tire - the good, and the bad;

- The GY's can be bought for $665, vs $1320 for 29 inch Airstreak ABW's, and $1100 for 26 inch Airstreak ABW's

- The load rating for the GY is much higher than the Airstreak 26 inch ABW, (so the GY's are PLENTY strong for even a heavy Kitfox).

- The GY's are not actually 26 inch, but more like 24.5 inch diameter (I've measured mine)

- The GY's are heavier than the 21 inch tires, but similar to the ABW's

- The GY's being much larger than the 21's will be much better in the bush than the smaller tires

- The GY's are well proven in the Alaskan bush environment, but in the real rough stuff, the ABW's reign supreme as they are much softer

- The GY's will wear like iron on pavement, while the ABW's will wear VERY fast on hard surface -even if just taxiing

- While the GY's are much harder/stiffer than the ABW's, the long term benefit is that it is difficult to actually wear out a set of them, even on pavement

- For the GY's to work well, they should be installed tubeless (install a gasket or O-ring between the wheel haves) and run at air pressures of 7-8 lbs (If tubes are used, the tire tends to slip on the wheel rim causing failure of the tube valve stems. So tire needs to be screwed to bead if tubes used).

- Overall feel of the Goodyear on your airplane will be very similar to an 8.50 aircraft tire, but the tire is much taller and wider than the 8.50

So if any of your are looking for a tire to be used in the backcountry, primarily operate from pavement, but want a bush wheel that looks cool, you might want to consider the Goodyear 26inch tire on your Kitfox.

I think it is a really good compromise for the "gentleman bush pilots" that a good share of us are likely to be.

(here's a link that includes GY tire info plus discussions regarding use - including a link to GY discussion on the Matronics Kitfox forum; http://www.skygeek.com/goodyear-26-x-10-5-x-6-smooth-tundra-tire.html )

First Pic below; 850's vs Goodyear 26 inch. 2nd Pic; 26 GY on a Highlander 3rd pic; Goodyears look good like the ABW, just smaller

[WWhunter]

Totally agre! Have owned 8.50's, 26" Goodyear 'Blimp' tires, 26" and 29" AkBushwheel AirStreaks, and I will say the AkBushwheels are the ultimate, if, and that is a big if, you can afford them. They do wear much quicker than either the 8.50's or the GY 26" tires but they give the best in off airport safety and cusioning. Having said that, as the previous poster states, the GY are built like iron and have been used on planes as large as 206 Cessna's in the bush country. They are heavier and not as soft but they will last a lifetime.
If I didn't already have the 29" Airstreaks I would be looking at the new tire Dessers has. Definitely affordable and made just for the LSA class of planes.

[cubtractor]

I've been using the new Desser tires and they are working great. They seem to be just the right size and weight for the Model IV.

[Paul Z]

I have the new Desser Smoothies on my recently converted 7SS. I have flow the Tundra Tires and the 8X6 on the Stick & Rudder planes. I much prefer the Desser, and the did fine at a small dirt strip 9 miles south of KBOI, called Blacks Field. Mr Blacks runway was rougher than all but one of the Idaho back country airstrips I have landed. Pelican Point was definately in worse repair. Blacks field is probably 1900 feet X 25 feet wide, dips in the middle, prairie dog, gopher holes every where. Don't run off of the runway you will be facing some large rocks. I'm flying over it on the way out from BOI. I'll get a photo from the air.

[N981MS]

I would love to see some pictures of a Series 5, 6, or 7 on some of these Dessers.

Thanks
Maxwell

[av8rps]

Can someone flying the new Desser Smoothie 8.50's verify the overall height and width of the tire mounted on the rim? Desser says 22 inches in their info, but so many times the info seems to be off in the ads.

Also, are those of you using that new Desser tire using tubes? Or are you mounting them tubeless?

And last question, what air pressures are you running?

[Paul Z]

Here are some pictures of the Smoothy's on my plane.
I was parked at Boisie, I had landed at Black's field the day before.

[Paul Z]

Here is a close up of the tires. The factory aired them up at 17 lbs, they roll fine, no squealing, they are very nice and very forgiving to land on, and the price is reasonable.