BCM Community
Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: chart1 on March 03, 2011, 02:37:02 PM
Just wanted to see what everyones input on tire size for bus. I have found that 11r22.5 are more readily available and cheaper than 12r22.5
What about recapped tires. I hear its not a great choice. I have had recaps on until recently, I think I have one left to replace. I never put recapped on front. Then next question do you run all position tires everywhere or just drive type on the drive axle and steer on front and tag.
As for myself I run the 11r22.5 Last year I bought all position ones and put them all over my bus. They are less expensive and easier to get. But they dont take as much weight either. My bus is currently stripped and within 1000 pounds or so of being as light as it will ever be. As I build it back up I am going to have to watch the weight very carefully. If I start getting too fat I will buy new wheels and tires in 11r24
decide weight capacity Change in circumference loss of fuel economy safety factor Most of the gators you see on road are off new tires recaps have stricter quality control Both tire failures I have had were new tires less than 3 yrs old. No caps on front. My opinion only from experience and research good luck Bob
Pretty much everything that can be said about this subject has been said already. Here are just a few of the dozens of threads that come up in a quick search:
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=16452.0 (http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=16452.0)
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=16761.0 (http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=16761.0)
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=16585.0 (http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=16585.0)
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=11828.0 (http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=11828.0)
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=15901.0 (http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=15901.0)
As you can see, there are lots of opinions on both sides, and a lot depends on the finished/loaded weight of your rig as well as your gearing and final drive ratios. Those two sizes have very different load capacities and different diameter (revs per mile). Also, the 11R can not be mounted to 9" rims, but the 12.5R can be fitted on either 8.25" or 9" rims.
Recaps are another hotly debated subject, again lots of threads come up in search:
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=2927.0 (http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=2927.0)
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=3605.0 (http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=3605.0)
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=11227.0 (http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=11227.0)
As far as all-position vs. drive, you will find most here run all-positions on, uhh, all positions. That gives you the best mileage, quietest ride, longest life, and lets you square off the rounded shoulders and vice-versa by rotating the steer/tag tires with the drivers. I personally run open-shoulder block-tread drive tires on my drivers for extra traction in mud, sand, dirt, gravel, and snow, but I am willing to live with the extra noise and shorter tire life. I run ribs on the steers and tags.
HTH,
-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com (http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com)