Dave S
02-10-2020, 01:51 PM
Wondering what kind of experience others have had with tire life of the standard 600-6 and 500-5 used on later model Kitfox aircraft (S7).
The original tires that came with my kit from the old skystar company were branded "aero trainer" . These started developing groove cracks when there was still 70% of the tread left and no other damage. I have always been careful to keep inflation within specs. I have no idea how old these were when I received them with the kit.
4 years ago I replaced the groove cracked tires with Air Trac branded ones of the same size. These started developing groove cracks last fall. Again, plenty of tread left and the tires were never run underinflated. Aircraft use has been approximately 40 hours per year (in other words - not enough!)
From what limited references I can find on line, groove cracks can be the result of underinflation or exposure to ozone which is apparently very destructive on rubber.
These things don't wear out - but they have developed groove cracks with a whole lot of tread left in what I think is way too short of time.
Both brands are the high crown design and I am wondering of that design is more prone to this problem than tires with a flatter contact area???
Any ideas welcome - particularly if anyone has had good luck with another brand.
Appreciate anyone's knowledge/experience with this
The original tires that came with my kit from the old skystar company were branded "aero trainer" . These started developing groove cracks when there was still 70% of the tread left and no other damage. I have always been careful to keep inflation within specs. I have no idea how old these were when I received them with the kit.
4 years ago I replaced the groove cracked tires with Air Trac branded ones of the same size. These started developing groove cracks last fall. Again, plenty of tread left and the tires were never run underinflated. Aircraft use has been approximately 40 hours per year (in other words - not enough!)
From what limited references I can find on line, groove cracks can be the result of underinflation or exposure to ozone which is apparently very destructive on rubber.
These things don't wear out - but they have developed groove cracks with a whole lot of tread left in what I think is way too short of time.
Both brands are the high crown design and I am wondering of that design is more prone to this problem than tires with a flatter contact area???
Any ideas welcome - particularly if anyone has had good luck with another brand.
Appreciate anyone's knowledge/experience with this