RV7 Tire pressure

[XLS+PAT]

Howdy VAF folks

I'm somewhat new to the RV7 and looking for opinons on tire pressures. I've been checking the tires at least once a month. It seems like 38psi is the sweet spot but I'm curious as to what other RV7 drivers prefer.

Thanks




RV7 slider 0-360
C-150 Tail dragger sold 10/17
KHAF

[DanH]

Please take this the right way..."the "search" button is your friend.

Short version, yeah, about 38 is common as a compromise between leg shake and tube life. Higher generally means more shake. Lower appears to come with anecdotal evidence of tube pinch and scuff problems. I run 50 in an 8, but I don't have to deal with leg shake.

[lr172]

I run 45 in the mains and 50 in the nose wheel on my 6A. I have wood dampers on the legs and never experienced any shimmy on the mains. Nose dances a bit, but only observable to viewers as it can't be felt.

Larr

[jdiehl]

45 psi on all three wheels. Check every 2 months at which mains usually show about 38 psi. Surprisingly, nose wheel loses very little air.
Shimmy has not been an issue.

[Sam Buchanan]

Originally Posted by XLS+PAT

Howdy VAF folks

I'm somewhat new to the RV7 and looking for opinons on tire pressures. I've been checking the tires at least once a month. It seems like 38psi is the sweet spot but I'm curious as to what other RV7 drivers prefer.

Thanks




RV7 slider 0-360
C-150 Tail dragger sold 10/17
KHAF

The tail draggers often run less pressure than the nose wheel RVs in order to manage gear shimmy. I ran 28 in my RV-6 tires for many years but now start at 35 and add air when they get down to about 28. If you don't have any gear shimmy at 38 that will be a good number for you. If you have shimmy you might try a little less pressure. The shimmy thing will vary depending on tire wear patterns/roundness.

And yes....tons of info in the forum archives on this discussion.

[VETE76]

i have ran 45 in my RV7 400 hrs ago. never a shimmy. never a flat. on 2nd set of recaps.
fred

[N941WR]

35 for my Taildragger seems to work well.

[Pat Stewart]

I run 35 in the nose and 43 in the mains

[Smilin' Jack]

VETE76 made a subtle comment on his post.

Recaps.
I use Dresser Monster Retreads and 40 PSI after 200 hours the tires look almost new.

Being a corporate pilot our mechanic would never use recaps but the airlines do all the time.. I am sold on their tires. they wear like iron.

[Kyle Boatright]

Originally Posted by Sam Buchanan

The tail draggers often run less pressure than the nose wheel RVs in order to manage gear shimmy. I ran 28 in my RV-6 tires for many years but now start at 35 and add air when they get down to about 28. If you don't have any gear shimmy at 38 that will be a good number for you. If you have shimmy you might try a little less pressure. The shimmy thing will vary depending on tire wear patterns/roundness.

And yes....tons of info in the forum archives on this discussion.

I started with low pressure (25 psi) on my -6 and had a fair amount of shimmy. Since I upped it to 38 or so, the problem has all but disappeared.