What RV-8 Tires do you recommend?

[Loeds]

We'll I finally purchased a new (to me) RV 8. It will need main wheel tires soon. I fly out of a grass strip. What tires do you all recommend? My old airplane tires dry rotted before wearing out.

[mike newall]

Desser

Cheapest...........

They won't wear out then ;-)

[walkman]

I wasn't particularly happy with the Desser retreads I bought for my -6 a couple of years ago. The sidewalls were pretty old tired, and the tread was way thicker. They rubbed at first under my old style pants.

I will by buying new tires in a year or two when I need them for the -8.

[Stu McCurdy]

For years I have been using Wilkerson 5.00x5 Recaps. The tread thickness and quality is such that I get much more time out of them than standard tires. Had to initially slightly elongate the wheel pant openings. I use Goodyear anti leak tubes and go for months without needing air. About $50 a tire and you can request what casings you get with the recaps on them. Works for me for years.

[g zero]

Never been a recap fan , Good Year Flight Customs on mine , only a few dollars more than Monster Recaps from Desser . Two tires with tubes for about the price of a fill up of 100LL !

[Ironflight]

I've used nothing but Desser retreads for over 30 years on my airplanes - last a long time, never had a problem that I could blame on a tire.

Not a paid or reimbursed spokesman - just a satisfied customer.

[Neal@F14]

I'm getting very good service from Airhawk tires on my RV-6. About $63 each from Desser.

[scsmith]

If you fly on grass a lot, you will love the benefit of slightly bigger tires.
The 380-150-5 is about an inch bigger in diameter than a 500-5 and about a half inch wider.

It is also called a 15/600-5. Sometimes you see both listed with different prices, which I don't understand because they are essentially the same size.

Do a search on VAF archives for that size and you will find lots of discussion, including the minor mods to wheel pants to fit.

I find in soft dirt, sandy dirt, and on grass, they just feel so much better.

[brad walton]

Plus one for the 380-150. I was made aware of this option during construction and fitted the wheel pants accordingly. Retrofit may require modification. But they do give extra contact surface that helps on grass.

[jbDC9]

Regarding the larger 380x150 tires, what tube fits those? Standard 5.00x5 or something else?