Tires for 185

[PIPER J5.5]

What are others running for 8.50-6 on there 180 and 185’s? Looking for a good quality rounded shoulder tire. It’s a size I don’t have a lot of experience with from manufacture to manufacture.

 

[wagondriver]

I ran Goodyears for about 500 hours...worked well. Just mounted Michelins but haven't had a chance to fly them. The Michelins seem to be a bit larger OD but also appear to be a bit more narrow. Thus...look a little "skinnier". The Goodyears were fine...a little tougher to get balanced. I may see if Wilkerson has an option to recap the Goodyear cores as smoothies.

Probably can't go wrong with either as these are top options. The 4-ply Dessers/Aero Classics may not be stout enough for a 185 or high gross weight 180. I've never had much luck with the Air Tracs...cheaper yes...consistently round/balance...not always.

 

[gkm]

I’ve used Goodyear and Air Tracs. The only thing I didn’t like about the Air Tracs is the deep tread that would grab rocks and fling them into the prop.

 

[LUCIFER]

I have used Goodyear, Air Tracs and Michelin. On my 185 Michelins work and wear best.

 

[hotrod180]

I like 850x6 airtracs.
Some folks don't, but I've always gotten good service out of them.
I've got 340 hours on the current ones, and 998 landings-- mostly on paved runways,
usually with a 1/4 to 1/2 mile of taxiing before and after.
Never had a problem with them being out of round or out of balance.
They seem like the best bang for the buck.
I've thought about trying the 4 ply 850x6 Desser smoothies, although they seem a bit flimsy.
But since the C180 TCDS lists 4 ply 800x6 tires, and the FAA/Atlee Dodge letter approves 4 ply 850x6 tires,
I figure they're probably up to the job-- at least on a lightweight 180.

 

[OLDCROWE]

I'm on my third set of 8.5's and due to availability went to Michelins with current set and may never go back to Good Year's the M's are far smoother, trac better, and needed no balancing and so far, (160 hours in) so virtually no ware) now if I could just find tubes that held air better, no matter which set there has always been one side or the other that the tube bled down faster than the other...

 

[skywagon8a]

... now if I could just find tubes that held air better, no matter which set there has always been one side or the other that the tube bled down faster than the other...

I've had good luck with Slime. https://slime.com/collections/sealants/products/tube-sealant-to-go-4-oz

 

[BC12D-4-85]

Valve stems need to seal and be tightened or they can leak as temps change. Spit wiped across the valve outlet can show bubbles from leaks.

Gary