380 150 5 tires in PR wheel pants

[rick57]

It looks like there will be enough room to put 380 150 5 tires on my -4 in the PR pants to replace the 500 x 5's. Please advise. And thanks, Rick

 

[Ralph Inkster]

Depends on the original wheel pant installation. Some will be tighter than others.

 

[riobison]

I put the Vans PR pants onto my old 4. No problem fitting just lots of tedious details but they worked well.

I had the short gear version and with the wheel pants on with those tire size, shimmy occasionally became a problem depending on the runway.

 

[rick57]

I put the Vans PR pants onto my old 4. No problem fitting just lots of tedious details but they worked well.

I had the short gear version and with the wheel pants on with those tire size, shimmy occasionally became a problem depending on the runway.

I have long gear version and have NO idea about what effect it may have.

 

[Daida]

Depending on how high, or low, your wheelpants are fitted you may have to do some minor composite work.

I operate mostly out of gras runways, therefore i wanted the bigger tires and i opted for ground clearance for the wheelpants. Therefore i mounted them high. That gives me plenty room above the tire and the need for this little bulge on the inside of the wheelpant.
This is necessary to make room for the brake caliper (Cleveland Wheels&Brakes).

I could imagine that those bulges are not necessary when you mount your wheelpants low………or you have different brakes…..

 

[planenutz]

I'm running those tyres under the later PR spats on my RV-6. I read a number of threads on here before going down this route and I'm pleased I made the change. I had to enlarge the opening of course, but it was only a days work to replace the tyres, grease the bearings and trim the spats to fit. I had to move one lower anchornut on each side for the new edge clearance, but otherwise it was easy and straight forward. I have about 1" clearance from the top of the tyre to the inside of the spat.

I don't have any clearance issues on the sides like Daida, above.

 

[FlyingDutchman257]

Making it fit is a matter of few afternoons. But the 380 x 150 is an expensive tire. Among other certified aircraft, the Robin DR300/400 series uses them. I'm not aware of an experimental version.