question for guys with 380-150 x 5 tires

[49clipper]

Yes the standard tube works. I have been using mine now for severals years with no issues. I changed (to the larger tires) since I fly off a grass strip and it just gives me more area on the ground and is about an inch taller tire and about a 1/2" wider if i remember right. But, I had to go to the newer wheel pants when I changed to the larger tires.
RV-6

[scsmith]

Nice to see this old post come back alive for a bit. I've been using the 380 x 150-5" tires for about 5 years now, really happy with them. Very noticeable improvement on soft dirt, somewhat noticeable improvement on grass. All around a great thing. Yes, I still use the 500 x 5 Michelin AirStop tubes. All good.

[Pilot135pd]

Great thread with very good info for my newly purchased RV-8 and my grass runway, thanks !

[abuura]

Originally Posted by scsmith

Nice to see this old post come back alive for a bit. I've been using the 380 x 150-5" tires for about 5 years now, really happy with them. Very noticeable improvement on soft dirt, somewhat noticeable improvement on grass. All around a great thing. Yes, I still use the 500 x 5 Michelin AirStop tubes. All good.

Did you modify the 5.00x5 wheel pants or are there larger ones available from a builder/manufacturer (who I haven't found...)? Thanks.

[Jpm757]

I've been using the 380?150's for 300+ hrs. and they have been superb, especially on unimproved surfaces. I would estimate over 500 landings on the tires with very little wear showing. I used the stock 500x5 tubes and Van's standard pressure recovery wheel pants, and enlarged the openings as necessary. I did need to space the brake disc away from the wheel using a single AN3 washer to provide sufficient caliper/tire clearance. 35 PSI has been a good pressure.

[scsmith]

Originally Posted by abuura

Did you modify the 5.00x5 wheel pants or are there larger ones available from a builder/manufacturer (who I haven't found...)? Thanks.

Hi.

I used standard wheel pants, but I mounted them 1/2" higher with respect to the standard 500x5 tire than shown in the instructions. I did this during the build to gain ground clearance, but also in anticipation of the switch to the bigger tires later -- which I did. Once I put the bigger tires on, my ground clearance is a full inch more than standard. I can use a flat 2x4 as a wheel chock.

When you raise the wheel pant a 1/2", then the brake caliper sticks out through the side of the wheel pant a little bit, so you need to make a cut-out for that. Then I molded fiberglass blister fairings to blend over that. I think there is an old thread with pictures. I have made a few sets of those blister fairings to sell to other people. PM me if interested. $45 a set plus shipping.

And of course, you have to adjust the tire clearance cutout in the wheel pant as well. Don't scrimp here - it is amazing how much the tire deforms laterally on a cross wind landing. you really want to have a thumb width clearance along the sidewalls.

[Jpm757]

Here's a pic of size comparison.
https://i.postimg.cc/8zjBJCkf/20180906-225322.jpg

[Pilot135pd]

Originally Posted by Jpm757

Here's a pic of size comparison.
https://i.postimg.cc/8zjBJCkf/20180906-225322.jpg

That's a great picture, thank you.

[abuura]

Thanks guys, great info.

[rv8ch]

Here's another couple of pics to show the size difference.