Desser Smooth Tundra Tire

[cubtractor]

Anyone thinking of trying the new Desser Smooth Tire?

http://www.teamkitfox.com/Forums/picture.php?albumid=273&pictureid=4642

http://www.desser.com/store/products/850%252d6-4-PLY-AERO-CLASSIC-SMOOTH-TUNDRA-%2APre-Order%2A.html

http://kitplanes2.com/blog/2014/04/new-back-country-tires-from-desser/

[SkyPirate]

If i ever take the pants off they look like a potential tire to get

i wonder if they would be round or have that bump due to being 4 ply

[Av8r3400]

I've been very happy with my 21x6.00-6 tires from Aero Classic.

These new models will probably work very well for someone who never operates off pavement and wants a more financially reasonable option from the "Ala$kan Bush" tires.

[Timberwolf]

I was just getting ready to post about these. I was getting on dresser to order their 21"s though their max weight is right around gross for my plane. Then I happened to come across these 22"s with a GW of 1600lb each. I'm putting in my order for the pre-order. I called and spoke with a sales Rep today to get some details on the bigger tires as well. The 27"s will be released in 60-90 days and they expect the price to be around $550 each. Quite a price jump for 5". Not sure what tubes they are expecting to use for those tires or if a one-off tube will be produced for them.

Nice to see some competition for the bushwheels since they are so expensive. Given they are hands down the best at what they are made for, but no competition has really driven the price up. I just wonder if they will ever integrate the tube and valve stem into the tire itself, which is what really gives the bushwheels the huge advantage. Guess time will tell. In the mean time, we'll see how these work

[jdmcbean]

Careful... You're not getting all the information.
We are suppose to have a few sets of these coming shortly.. as an OEM they offered the pre-release to us. We will be running them on 2 different aircraft to see the wear.. but the tire looks very promising. As for the 27" or the 31" that are "coming" the 27 is for an 8" wheel and the 31 a 10" wheel... Not an issue if you want to purchase wheels as well...
Be patient.. there might be something else on the horizon as well... for the larger tires.. but the 850 smooth should prove to be very nice.

[rdooley79]

Those look awesome. No need to look any further unless you need BW's

Those mounted on the Grove spring gear/wheel package and a Matco tailwheel to match.

... must have.....

[cubtractor]

Got the new tires mounted today but have yet to fly with them. They look good and are light weight and fairly soft. Usually when I push the plane in the hanger it stops pretty abruptly when it hits the chocks but the new Desser's almost rolled right over the top of them with the same air pressure as I had in the old tires, 10 lbs.

Weights of the bare tires:
Old Desser 21" 800-6..................10 3/4 lbs each
New Desser 22" 850-6 Tundra.......9 lbs each

[SkyPirate]

Hopefully Mike, i get some pictures of your bird in the air Saturday 👍

[Paul Z]

Looking good!

[rdooley79]

I'll be interested to know how much these tires hold on to small stones and/or how much they kick it up to the tail.

Also how well they wear on pavement. This isn't as big a deal considering the price compared to Bu$hWheels.

How grabby are they on pavement?

They look super cool and the size is proportionate to the small KF. Looks sweet!

[SkyPirate]

Almost makes me want to toss the wheel pants and put a set on the 5 :) looks great Mike!!!

[Slyfox]

eek! and than paint some white walls on them :D

[rdooley79]

hahaha white walls would be sweeeeet!

I saw on the internet's somewhere a while ago a pic of a guys plane with some wheel pants but they were half height.
Basically think a fender that goes down to the middle of the tire. They had a teardrop shape to the back end of them and the front was cut to droop down just enough to keep air from being scooped between the tire and "pant". I'd love to see something like that for these tires and Grove Gear.
Done right they could be very cool. :cool:
Too bad I don't have any skill with fiberglass.

[Timberwolf]

I ordered a set of the same tires and got them mounted last week. Unfortunately haven't had a chance to fly due to weather. I'm in the same boat with most as to not wanting bushwheels with having to taxi on pavement. For the price of these, I can abuse them and not feel bad rather than having to baby them like a $4K set of bushwheels. My GW is 1650 so we'll see how they hold up compared to being on a lighter KF

[kitfoxnick]

Anyone try the 27" yet?

[jiott]

Is it available?

[Paul Z]

Yes the Dresser Tires are available. I really like mine. They make for really smooth landings!

[Av8r3400]

Are those the 27" or 22" diameter, Paul?

[Paul Z]

I measured them the are the 22". Pillow soft as advertised. Even on my Crappy landings.

[kitfoxnick]

There website says they will be available March 15.

[jdmcbean]

We try and keep them in stock.. They are working out well.. $500 Tires and Tubes. Sorry, Desser had a price increase... $550.00 Tires and Tubes

[Paul Z]

I got mine from Kitfox, aka John & Debby McBean when I did my conversion to a Tail Dragger.

[JorgeEC-YUQ]

Hello everybody,

I have a kitfoxIII with 8" Douglas ATV tires and Matco brakes.
I've been told those 27" dessers tires would fit on my rims and even I could improve the braking with double caliper kit from

My question/concern is about the axles. I use the bungee gear with standard 3/4 axles, do you thing they will be strong enought for this bigger wheel? Any of you is using big tires with those axles? Any other problems I am not considering If I go for those 27" tires?

Jorge

[rdooley79]

I can say from personal experience that the 22" smoothies are very robust and can take a lot of abuse. They have stood up very well to my bounces. If the 27's are anything like the 22's then they'll be awesome.

I love my 22" Dessers. Love is a strong term and I stand by that!

[WWhunter]

Any updates from guys using these tires? I am interested in both the 22" (8.50 smooth) and the 27". Currently have 29" AkBushwheels but am wanting to reduce my EW and be able to gain a bit of speed along with more asphault friendly. The cost of the Airstreaks at just under $3K, every landing has a dollar amount with the bit of rubber scrapped off everytime I touch anything other than grass.

Maybe I'll start another thread.

[Floog]

Over 500 hours on a set of 850 Desser smoothies. 90% grass ops. Very little wear on the outside edges only. I'm flying a Model 7SS Rotax 912 with Airmaster prop. These tires will allow a 139mph cruise (demonstrated this yesterday with 2 people and full fuel). Two days ago I flew a 3.1 hour round trip through the Columbia Gorge averaging 115mph with a burn of just a little over 3 GPH! A little off the subject of tires but I had to mention it. Incidentally, I've installed a Hacman mixture control as well. I wouldn't change a thing.

[Floog]

Here's the 850's. First time in snow.

[Floog]

Dessers over the Cascade Range. Can you see the small building on the peak below?

[WWhunter]

Floog, That is awesome numbers! Just the kind of reply I am looking for. :)

Question, the Airmaster, are thos WhirlWind blades? I have a couple of WhirlWind props but the ground adjustable type.

I am seriously thinking of selling my 172 and a few other things I have laying around and getting either a RANS S-20 or the Kitfox SS7. I really do like both planes with the big advantage I see, is the ability to fold the wings on KF.

[Floog]

Those are Whirlwind blades. Another thing I like about the KitFox is the side by side seats. Can be warmer in the winter...

[av8rps]

I just had a conversation with one of my Highlander friends that lives in Canada, and he now has about 75 hours on his new Desser 27 inch bush tires on the 8 inch wheels, and he absolutely loves them.*He had Matco 21's on originally, then spent the big bucks and put on a set of 29 inch ABW's, which he also really liked. But he said he lost a lot of cruise speed with those, and hated knowing what it was costing him whenever he had to operate on pavement.

He said it was strange, but the Desser 27's are only about 3 mph slower than his old 21's in cruise, whereas the 29 ABW's were more than double that (I personally think that is because not only is the ABW 29 much taller, but more of a factor is that it is much wider than the Desser 27). Interestingly, he said the Desser feels nearly as soft as the ABW, but wears more like a standard tire on pavement. And of course, they are a lot less $$.

Hopefully this info might help your decision if you decide you still want to use a larger tire. just posted this in another thread, but thought it should be included here as well.

Here's a link to the forum where the Highlander guys are talking about their results with the Desser's. http://wingsforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=218&t=23668

[kmach]

Hi,
I am looking at getting the Dresser 850-6 Aero Classic Smooth Tundra , has anyone had issues with brake assemblies and the tire sidewall clearance, the brakes rubbing on the sidewalls ?

I currently have 6.00-6 tires , Cleveland 40-281 wheels and 30-224 brake assembly . Anyone running the Dressers with this wheel and brake setup ?

What I would like to have is , another set of wheels and put the dressers on them and have a "quick" swap setup so just the axle nut , cotter pin and brake caliper bolts need to be worked with , still using the existing brake assembly.

Talking with my AME he said it might not be that simple and brought up the brake assembly sidewall clearance issue.

I would need to put the 6.00-6 tire wheel setup back on to use with my wheel skis that are built for that size of tire. ( I require this about 6 + months of the year usually:()

What wheels and brake assemblies are you guys using with the 850-6 Dressers ?

[bogmonster]

I'm running the grove rims and brakes. If my air pressure gets a little low, I'll see some slight rubbing.

[Timberwolf]

The Desser smoothies are a great tire. Hopefully you weren't talking to your AME (aero medical examiner) about tires as I'm not sure what light he could shine on that subject. However, I have a setup that you have described with mine setup on a set of 40-59 rims. I swap back and forth between these and 31" bushwheels. No rubbing issues when I was running them with 30-59 calipers. I have since switched to 30-52N double puck calipers which utilize a super thick rotor and have no issues with those rubbing the tire. Even if you just have 1 set of rims, it doesnt take long to swap tires if you have to do it 2 times a year.

[kmach]

:) In Canada , AME stands for Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.

[Timberwolf]

Ha. Tracking...couldn't resist it though. If you get the tires, post pics! these tires are great for the price. Keeps some wear off the $3600 31" BW's :eek:

[kmach]

Timberwolf , your 40-59 wheels are for a 1 1/2" axle right ? Or can you put a 1 1/4" axle bearing in 40-59 wheels ?

[Timberwolf]

Indeed they are. However mine are not on a kitfox, they are on a Murphy Rebel. I'd imagine you could find bearings that would work outside of PMA'd parts. Not sure what's required on your end in canada and the legalities for you.

[kmach]

What is everyone using for pressure on these Desser 850-6 tundras ?

I have seen past posts of anywhere from 18 to 6 psi ?

First flight today I tried 18 , that seems like too much.

I do have only about 1/4" from sidewall of the tire to my brake calliper for clearance, what are you guys seeing for clearance ?

My model5 has Cleveland 40-281 wheels using 30-224 brakes , 1 1/4" grove axle and gear.

[Timberwolf]

My gross is 1650 and I run 10-12 lbs. I abuse my brakes for some short fields. I lock up the tires on dry grass and have seen zero slippage at these pressures. 1/4" is plenty. You aren't going to be flexing them out to where they hit the calipers. Alos, standing by on the obligatory Pics

[kmach]

Here what they look like

[kitfox2009]

Hi Kevin
Great looking hanger there. Does this mean the next time I am out your way there would be overnight room for FOXK!!!
Cheers
Don

[Norm]

I see room for three in there Don. I am planning an easterly flight this summer.:) Just might have to move the boat.

[kmach]

There should be room , that's if I quit storing items in it:rolleyes:

[Esser]

Kevin, I think that's the first picture of your bird I have seen that's not your tiny profile picture. Looks great! C-FOXD will have to fly in for a visit when she's done. (At this pace it may be awhile)

[kmach]

Thanks Esser,
its taken a bit to get it how I want. And there is always something new !

Hint: If you click on peoples names and profiles you can access their photo albums if they uploaded pictures.;)

[Norm]

Kevin the 8.50s look good. Did you solve the wheel ski issue. I seem to remember you thought maybe a second set of wheels?

[kmach]

Norm ,

I will be putting the 600-6 tires back onto another set of wheels to use with the Summit wheel skis , the skis are currently setup real nice with that size tire.

I found a used set , just have to get them here, check out the bearings and put on some new brake discs. I couldn't believe what new Cleveland wheels are worth !

The mild weather here has melted most of the snow to make it real tundra like, runway is grass with clumps of ice , rumble strip like, thats why the recent move to the 850-6's .

[Norm]

I have to do something similar. I have the 8inch wheels with Nanco 21 tires. I also have a set of wheel through skis so I want to grab some wheels to mount some smaller tires for the skis. I don't have to worry about that til next winter but I do want to get it done eventually. I miss landing on lakes and visiting with some of the people ice fishing.

[Timberwolf]

looks great. Now get a second set of wheels for easy swap out to skis when the time comes. In the mean time, it took me 45 min to swap out the tires on the rims before I had my second set of rims.

[wannafly]

Looks good Kevin. Has any one tried the 21x12-8 with 6ply rating from Matco Mfg. At $75 seems more in my range than $500 from Dresser. Understanding you get what you pay for.

[Av8r3400]

Are the 21x12x800 (I will bet a dollar) the same exact Nanco, Nanking, etc. ATV tires that everyone has been using for years?

[wannafly]

Received my 21" from Matco today. The name on them is Duro. They have a 6 ply rating where as my Nanco have 2 ply rating. Hope to get them on soon and will report back.

[Jerrytex]

Do you have a link for the Matco 21x12x8 tires? I looked on the Matco site but didn't see anything.

Thanks

[wannafly]

Matcomfg.com and look under tires and tubes. Sku is tirt21x12-8. $75 I can't get the link to transfer sorry

[Paul Z]

Here is the link

http://www.matcomfg.com/catalog.html?Tp=6&adv_search%5B4%5D=0&adv_search%5Bkeywords%5D=+tirt21x12-8&sbT=Go

[jrevens]

Just an observation - those tires seem to have a very low load rating, @ 410 lbs. Is this typical for this type tire?

I think a typical 6.00-6, 6-ply rated aircraft tire, for instance, usually has a load rating somewhere around 1700 lbs. per tire.

[Jerrytex]

Thanks for the link. I guess I must have looked right at them.

I wish I would have found these back in October. I ended up with the Nancos again. The 2 ply with the 365# rating makes me a little nervous.

Anyone know the weight of the Matcos?

[wannafly]

Per tire weight is 8.5 lbs.

[Grant4ever]

Have a buddy of mine with these on a Rans S7. Just a handful of flights off turf runway but so far happy.

One thing he did notice was the tire has spun on the wheel slightly. He is running 15psi.

[Hockeystud87]

I know this is a old post but I was wondering what people thought about these 850-6 vs the smooth 21/800-6 that desser has?

They seem to be just the old 800-6 with the tread smoothed down. Any word on if they're "pillow soft"? Weight looks good on them.

I'm about to take off my Cleveland 500-5's and put on matco 600-6. Just not sure if the 22's are much better than the new smooth 21's. Plus I can run the 21's tubeless.

https://www.desser.com/Aircraft-Tires-and-Tubes/21-800-6-4-PLY-AERO-CLASSIC-TL-TT-LSA-TUNDRA-SMOOTH.asp

https://www.desser.com/Aircraft-Tires-and-Tubes/850-6-4-PLY-AERO-CLASSIC-SMOOTH-TUNDRA-AERO-CLASS-AA4K5.asp

[Av8r3400]

I ran, and still run, the treaded 21s for many hours. They are a great compromise tire. They handle pavement great and will work in the bush very well for most places.

To me the "buffed" version of these tires is a waste of money. They are the same tire, with a higher price for grinding away half the carcas.

The 850s are a little larger, but at substantially higher price.

[Hockeystud87]

I see what you're saying. They just seem to be a little lighter and more of the Bush style. The 22s are really tempting but want to run tube less.

I guess I can run those tubeless as well with out issue?

Is there any other options for decently priced Bush tires in 21in for a 6in wheel?

[Av8r3400]

I currently run (and did on my previous plane) the 21/800-6 tires tubeless on Grove tubeless wheels. I have run them as low as 8 psi with no ill effect.

[Hockeystud87]

I was referring to the 22" tires that say their tubed. If I go 21 I'll run those tubeless.

What wheel are you on.

[Av8r3400]

Grove 65-10M (http://www.groveaircraft.com/65-10.html)

[Hockeystud87]

Any reason you went grove over matco?

[Av8r3400]

I went with Grove because they were a "known commodity" to me. When I converted my previous plane (with parts from my current plane, a project at the time), it was a very good experience. The wheels and brakes worked very well.

Therefore, when I finished the project plane I ordered a new (custom length) spring and this set of tubeless wheels and brakes for it rather than starting over with something unknown. I knew I wanted the Grove spring (the "Bush gear" offerings with steel springs were not working well at the time) and much preferred the bolt on, aluminum 1.25" axles (which I also have a second set facing inboard for my skis) over the smaller 3/4" diameter Matco offering, so I stayed with the Grove wheels and brakes.

[Hockeystud87]

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

Has there been much word on people trying to run these 22" 850 Desser tubeless?

I'm pretty tempted to get these on matco 6" wheels but would like to run them with out tubes.

[jrevens]

For many years, the Cleveland wheels and brakes were considered by many to be the "gold standard" in my (admittedly limited) flying world. It's what I always had. IMHO, the Grove units are more similar to them than the Matco, and in some ways better. I like the Grove products in general very much. I'm happy with the Matco parts that I have, but glad my wheels, brakes, axles, etc. are Grove.



I'm running 15 psi in my Desser 22" 8.50 - 6 smooth tundra tires and I like them a lot, although I have relatively little time on them so far... all of it on pavement. I've noticed no slippage between the tire and wheel so far. They are lighter by 1.5# per tire/tube than the 19" 8.00-6 Goodyear tires I had previously.

[Hockeystud87]

Jr do you run tubes in yours?

I currently have Cleveland brakes and wheels but their 500-5. So I need to go bigger. I haven't seen much other than brand name that says why grove is better than Matco. I know the brakes on the Matco can be weaker.

[jrevens]

Jr do you run tubes in yours? ...




Yes. I've made small marks with a silver marker on the tires and black on the wheels to show if any relative movement has occurred.

[Flybyjim]

MangyFox,

Any photos you would share on the axels both in and out for the setup for your skies and what skies are you using?

[Av8r3400]

Here is a shot of my plane on skis. The axles are the same inside and out. They are the standard 1.25" Grove aluminum axles. I just used longer bolts to reach all the way through.

The skis are Airdale skis (now defunct).

16607

[btjenkins85]

I had the aeroclassic 22” on matco wheels and ran them tubeless. When ordering from Desser tire make sure you specify you want tubeless.

I routinely operated them at 8-9 psi and no slippage on the wheels. At least half of my landings were on pavement, they seem to wear very well.

[Flybyjim]

NIce looking skis, are the aluminum or fiberglass. I am looking for a set for the Rans S-7 I fly while I am building the Kitfox, I like that the wheels do not need to be removed.

[WWhunter]

Jim,
Have you looked the Datum skis? The Datum are retractable, using an electric acctuatot. I have a set for my S-7 but haven't had time to get them mounted.
Summit also has nice skis.

[jiott]

By the way, running the Dessers with tubes, it doesn't matter if the tire moves a little on the rim as long as the tube moves with it. I just regularly eyeball the valve stem, as long as it is sticking straight out of the hole it is OK. If it start to lean to one side, then you have a problem with slippage that needs to be addressed.

[kmach]

I have 150 hrs on the smooth 6-8.50 tundras with tubes, run them around 10 psi. Have had them as low as 5 psi but would not recommend that on pavement.

[jrevens]

By the way, running the Dessers with tubes, it doesn't matter if the tire moves a little on the rim as long as the tube moves with it...


I think you mean as long as the tube doesn't move with the tire, Jim. Since the valve stem goes through the wheel, you don't want any movement between the tube and the wheel rim. I think I was thinking about that incorrectly with another post on a different thread, when I proposed that it might be good to limit the use of talc when mounting tires & tubes, to help minimize any movement between tire & tube. If you're going to use a tube, the most important thing is to do what you can to eliminate any slipping of the tire against the wheel rim. Making sure those tire bead/wheel rim surfaces are clean, dry & free of talc would seem to be advisable to me. If the tire did move on the rim it would be best if the tube didn't follow it... but it probably would of course. I'm sorry for my long-winded comments about a simple concept.

[jiott]

Yes John, that is exactly what I was trying to say, but got tangled up in my words. Good catch, thanks for the clarification.

[Rooster]

Bought mine at Oshkosh from a very helpful Tim. Loving them every flight!

The freight to South Africa cost almost as much as the tyres and tubes combined!:eek:

[Hockeystud87]

I had the aeroclassic 22” on matco wheels and ran them tubeless. When ordering from Desser tire make sure you specify you want tubeless.

I routinely operated them at 8-9 psi and no slippage on the wheels. At least half of my landings were on pavement, they seem to wear very well.

My plan is to run these tubeless but when I called desser the man on the other side of the phone stated they have to be run with tubes or they won't hold air. Not sure what exact tire I'm supposed to purchase for tubeless. All I can find are these:

https://www.desser.com/Aircraft-Tires-and-Tubes/850-6-4-PLY-AERO-CLASSIC-SMOOTH-TUNDRA-AERO-CLASS-AA4K5.asp

[Av8r3400]

I don't think it maters to the tire, you just need to have tubeless capable wheels. I still run the 21/800x6 tires tubeless.

[Hockeystud87]

Ok that's what I was thinking. I know that the website states the 21/800 can be operated as tubeless but the 22/850 say they are "tubed type".

Even though the Desser rep states they won't hold air it seems there are multiple people who are using them tubeless.

My plan is to run them on the matco 6" rimes with the tubeless kit (O-Ring and valve stem).

If it doesn't work I buy tubes... another -$200 haha

Another interesting fact is the desser rep stated the 850's are stiffer than the 21's. Which I though was intriguing as they claim "pillow soft".

[GWright6970]

Reading this and other threads begs the un-answered question:

How many.people have successfully ran the smooth Nanco 21x12-8 tires? (They have a manufacturer rating of 335 lbs at 5psi.)

[Flybyjim]

Datum, I will look them up, I have not heard of these, Thanks

[Av8r3400]

Reading this and other threads begs the un-answered question:

How many.people have successfully ran the smooth Nanco 21x12-8 tires? (They have a manufacturer rating of 335 lbs at 5psi.)


Joey, (from your neighborhood with the Avid) loves his.

[jiott]

A few years ago, these Nanco's were kind of popular, but then Desser came out with their's and about the same time I started hearing about quality problems (out of round, heavy spots, etc.) with the Nanco's. Some folks were happy, others were very unhappy, seemed like inconsistent quality control. Haven't heard much about Nanco problems in the last few years; maybe they solved their quality issues. Anyway, Desser for whatever reason seems to have taken the lead in these type and size tires. Just my impressions from what I have read, mostly on this forum. Anyone interested could probably do a search on this forum and find quite a bit of discussion on Nanco, both pro and con.

[Av8r3400]

If I were looking for a 8" tire, I can live with a lot of out-of-round for $44.15 (https://www.tires-easy.com/21-12.00-8/nanco-tires/n800-slick/tirecode/30151002) each rather than $479 (https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/lgpages/desseraa4ak.php?gclid=CjwKCAiAl7PgBRBWEiwAzFhmmiBq 7cbPoZQPi9VL52333N1vnYB0GF_uNPk0JtZRoWx4SgmCR3_Gcx oCHM8QAvD_BwE) each...

A 10:1 price difference is a big deal.

[Slyfox]

I don't know Larry, I thought that too, took me a lot of time to finally pull the trigger on the aeroclassics I now have. but I tell ya, it makes it look badass, ha, I know, looks. It also lands so nice off field with the bigger tires. I also have to say, I only lost 1kts with the bigger tires. Very happy with them, also with the bigger tires I could go to the T3 and the 8inch matco tail wheel. now it's properly aligned and really looks good now. I know what you are thinking, a white airplane that looks good, yaya, I know, that is for another reason, the white. I'm not marked. haha

[Av8r3400]

I don't disagree in the slightest on how they look. My plane looks awesome on 26" Airstreaks. The only reason I know this is because I got a killer deal on a set that were completely worn out.

I did the Herculiner thing for a year, now I'm going to do the Flexane coating for next year.

[Esser]

My tires are so slippery on wet grass and snow I’m wonderIng if I did the flexane if I could sprinkle some “grit” on the wet material....

[HighWing]

...about quality problems (out of round, heavy spots, etc.) with the Nanco's.

Dont know about others experiences, but since my flying has been rather sporadic the past couple of years, I have found that the Nancos will establish a "set" - flat spot - after sitting a while in one position that dissipates in time. Sadly, if I were to be starting the Kitfox thing today with all the big $$s being mentioned - like the $400s vs. $40s for tires I would still be tinkering with classic cars.

[jiott]

Just for the record: the Desser 22"/850x6 Aeroclassic smooth tundra tires are $283 each, not $400-500. This is a huge price reduction compared to the Alaska Bushwheels at $1200+ each.

[Slyfox]

the 27.5 x8 tire is about 500ea. the 22 are less. I think that's where the 500 came from. but still much better than the Alaska bush tire. I went for a flight yesterday and it is nice to take off and not have to hit the brakes to stop the tires after take off. I use to with the nanco 21's. of course the plane would go all over the place hitting the brakes. all I could think of is, what are people thinking when I did it. he must be a bad pilot to be going kitty wampus on take off. at least that's what I was thinking.

[Hockeystud87]

I just got off the phone with Matco today. They claim there is a brand new 850 tire out from desser that is a tubeless version. This NOT the one everyone has been using tubeless. This is a purpose built 22"×850 smooth tubeless tire. its 13lbs so a little more weight than the tubed.

I cant find the link on the website but matco says these are the new ones they're going to be selling over the old tubed. The guy at matco said they must have gone up in the last week.

I'll let you all know how they run.

[btjenkins85]

Yes desser tire does offer the aero classic 8.50-6 tire in a tubeless version. I ran them for 7 months on my plane and they worked great. With the matco wheel and tubeless kit (valve stem & o-ring), I never experienced any leaking or slippage even down to 8psi on pavement.

If it wasn't for getting a couple worn out ABW 26" for an incredible deal- FREE, I would still be using the Aeroclassic's

Part Number from desser is- AA4K3, cost was $268 per tire.

[efwd]

Does Desser even comprehend how cumbersome their website is to use? Or am I the only one?

[Hockeystud87]

I partially gave up on trying to use the website. I also gave up on calling them. The guy on the other side of the phone seemed annoyed I was asking questions.

I found the tires (Using google)

https://www.desser.com/pc_product_detail.asp?key=216ACDF503054021AC8B8B08 CFC38EC8

[efwd]

OK, I have been schooled a little bit on the Desser site. Thanks Steve. AA4K3 is the MFR part number and you aren't able to search that way. What those tires are is SKU # 850-6 4 PLY TL. This works in the search box. I have also in the past tried to use the aircraft type pop up that they have and that was useless for my purposes. Search Tundra Tire on their site ( thought I had done that long ago ) and you get a bunch of tires to select from. Sorry Desser.

[DesertFox4]

:) Thanks Eddie. I too tried that pop up menu for typing in aircraft make and model and found it a time waste. Kitfox isn’t listed in that search feature.

To get quickly to tires we Kitfox owners care about:
1. On top of their home page, on the left side of the blue bar, click on “Tires and tubes”.

2. Then scroll down past the pop-up menu and you see all the brand name tire icons.
3. Just click on the last marked “Tundra Tires” and you will see all offerings for all our “Big Tire” Kitfox pilots.

Also I’ve dealt with Desser several times and always got treated great and received fast and accurate delivery on my tire and tube orders.👍
Hoping hockeystud87’s treatment on the phone was an isolated incident.

[Hockeystud87]

Agreed, I don't wish to create a false stigma from a isolated event. I have tires from desser on their way so they still got my business!

[DesertFox4]

Thanks “Hockey”. I very much appreciate your support of our site sponsors. Hope next time you get one of their many friendly sales reps.:)

[efwd]

parusing Backcountrypilots.org I came across this very helpful Tire guide. I also note that Larry and the Mangy Fox never mentioned this here, to my knowledge. Larry! This is such a good article. You all will know why I mention it once you have read the article. :D
https://backcountrypilot.org/knowledge-base/aircraft/188-tire-guide

[jrevens]

Thanks, Eddie! Nice picture, and such a pretty airplane Larry!!

[Av8r3400]

parusing Backcountrypilots.org I came across this very helpful Tire guide. I also note that Larry and the Mangy Fox never mentioned this here, to my knowledge. Larry! This is such a good article. You all will know why I mention it once you have read the article. :D
https://backcountrypilot.org/knowledge-base/aircraft/188-tire-guide

What an extremely well photographed article! LOL.

One thing, Mine are actually 26s not 29s. That was a shot right after the first application of the Herculiner. It worked better for a buddy of mine who keeps his Avid at his house, always on grass. I only landed on the grass, but just taxiing on the pavement seemed to chew it off quickly.

I will add a candid user report of the Flexane once I put them back on this spring.

[av8rps]

26 or 29 inch ABW's... it looks great Larry. Big tires (or floats) really make a Kitfox in my humble opinion :)

Great article!

[Av8r3400]

This is what the Flexane 80 looks like...

16713

[Hockeystud87]

I agree with the big tires. Every landing since I got my big tires on have been so much nicer (as in softer) than with the 500.