BOOM!! need a cheap tire!

TheMightyQuinn · September 23, 2016, 06:53:49 PM

had my drivers side inner rear tire blow apart today. had to limp the bus about 30 miles to a truck stop to try and find a replacement 12r 22.5 tire to get home... I got laughed at. I'm in Commerce, ga stuck with no power and no leads on a replacement. anyone have an idea on where I might get a decent used tire just to get me home? or can I possibly limp it the 129 miles back home? thanks in advance!

Sam 4106 · September 23, 2016, 07:03:59 PM

Please don't be offended, but have you looked behind the front bumper for a spare? If there isn't one there perhaps you should consider putting one there. Good luck, Sam

gumpy · September 23, 2016, 07:08:35 PM

See if there are any bus companies nearby and call them. Maybe you'll luck out and they'll have a used one you can buy. Or maybe the'll direct you to a tire shop.

luvrbus · September 23, 2016, 07:13:39 PM

Try looking for a 315/80/22.5

TheMightyQuinn · September 23, 2016, 07:18:47 PM

Quote from: Sam 4106 on September 23, 2016, 07:03:59 PM
Please don't be offended, but have you looked behind the front bumper for a spare? If there isn't one there perhaps you should consider putting one there. Good luck, Sam

I did indeed... it has cracks in it larger than the grand canyon! so a spare is definitely on the list.

Quote from: gumpy on September 23, 2016, 07:08:35 PM
See if there are any bus companies nearby and call them. Maybe you'll luck out and they'll have a used one you can buy. Or maybe the'll direct you to a tire shop.

good idea. I know there are some in Atlanta, but not sure about up here. I will check in the morning.

Quote from: luvrbus on September 23, 2016, 07:13:39 PM
Try looking for a 315/80/22.5

is that size compatible with the 12r? I'll check around for that as well. thanks y'all. been one neck of a shakedown run.

TomC · September 24, 2016, 06:46:38 AM

Maybe consider changing all tires to 11R-22.5. Weigh your bus by axle and if it is under 13,200lb on the front, and 23,000lb on the rear, then you could change. Or, just carry a spare.
The first thing I did to my bus was change the tires from 12R-22.5 to 11R-24.5. Mainly because my truck used the tires too, but also since they are the tallest over the road tires you can get. Good Luck, TomC

luvrbus · September 24, 2016, 07:06:59 AM

Do your home work the metric version are close with some manufactures the 295/75/22.5 or the 275/80/22.5 will work for you but the Michelin is weird in size.My 315's are a little taller than 11r/24.5 mounted on a 9 inch wide rim about the same mounted on a 8-1/4 wide wheel and I have both wheels to compare the measurement with I have 9inch on the front and 8-1/4 on the tag and drive axle don't ask why lol

DoubleEagle · September 24, 2016, 08:45:08 AM

I think you need a practical low cost solution to your immediate problem of getting home. You will not easily find that size without a tire dealer ordering a new one that they will charge plenty for. Fire trucks and garbage trucks are about the only other users of that size tire, if you are lucky, one of them might sell a used spare that is too old for their use. How old and/or good is the other tire on that position? If it is reasonably healthy you could just go with that for the 60 miles it would take you to get home. Most of the time traffic going through Atlanta is slow anyhow.

You are not carrying a full load of passengers, so there is not as much weight being carried as the bus was designed for. The main thing to watch for is whether that single tire is getting hot or not; keep the tire air pressure up to the max, stop often to let it cool down if it is getting too hot to touch. 60 miles should be workable, especially at night, but check that tire often, a tire fire is awfully hard to put out, assuming it does not blow first. Are you going to leave home without a decent spare again?

If the tire that blew is really rough, it might cause damage. The truck stop could at least take it off and remount the rim. If the spare still holds air, it might make it 60 miles.

Utahclaimjumper · September 24, 2016, 09:18:44 AM

Anyone who neglects tires is NUTS.>>>Dan

luvrbus · September 24, 2016, 10:19:24 AM

I disagree with some of the tire down sizing most converted intercity buses when converted are real close to GVW some are over.
I think the biggest mistake Eagle ever made was when in 1976 they went to the 11R/24.5 truck tires they gave up GVW and it changed the ride and driving characteristic of Eagles IMO.
I tried the 11R/24.5 on my 74 Eagle I didn't like giving up the 1 inch wider 12R/22.5 and the dart in the steering so I changed back to the 12R/22.5 two weeks later.MCI and Prevost never tried the 24.5 tires that I know of

chessie4905 · September 24, 2016, 11:33:42 AM

Move a front tire to the rear ( assuming it is the correct size). Buy a used 11.00 x 22.5 and install on the front to get you home. Take it easy going home

TheMightyQuinn · September 25, 2016, 07:08:49 PM

Tried finding a used tire around but couldnt get anyone to come off of one for less than $900.00.... So after 29 hours of fighting AAA we were finally able to get out of there and have the coach towed the 139 miles back to home base. We had to have a guy come take one of the front tires off and put on the rear and the old almost original spare put up front so the coach could be put on a stinger. Now is the fun part of tracking down 6 new tires and saving up to get them and put them on. Lesson learned for sure! Thank you all for the advice. We are home safe now with a ton of work to do.

RJ · September 25, 2016, 09:12:31 PM

Quote from: TheMightyQuinn on September 25, 2016, 07:08:49 PM
Now is the fun part of tracking down 6 new tires and saving up to get them and put them on.

Here's some help for you as you search for new shoes for your 4107. This is old info I've posted time and time again, but it's worth repeating:

GMC designed the powertrain of your coach around tires that turn 495 revs per mile. This is an important number because:

Tires that turn MORE than 495 will lower your fuel mileage somewhat, decrease your top speed, but improve getting started on a slight grade a little.

Tires that turn LESS than 495 will have the opposite effect.

In addition, you have to consider maximum axle weights - for your 4107 it's 12,000 on the front axle and 20,000 on the rear. Thus you have to look at the maximum weight a tire you're considering will carry - without making your coach ride like buckboard because you've got to have the tires inflated to their maximum.

So, regardless of whether you have 22.5 or 24.5 inch rims, keep in mind that the closer the tires are to that magic 495 revs per mile, the closer to the overall performance that was designed into your coach you'll have.

Oh, and all HD truck tire dealers will have the revs/mile info in their tire specifications charts.

Finally, take the best of your current tires and use it as a spare.

FWIW & HTH. . .

chessie4905 · September 26, 2016, 03:28:43 AM

Consider Bandag or Michelin recaps for the rear 4. Can save you a significant amount of money. I wouldn't consider any unknown quality companies that recap tires though.

http://www.michelintruck.com/tires-and-retreads/retreads/

http://www.bandag.com/en-us/index

TheMightyQuinn · September 26, 2016, 07:02:32 AM

Quote from: RJ on September 25, 2016, 09:12:31 PM
Here's some help for you as you search for new shoes for your 4107. This is old info I've posted time and time again, but it's worth repeating:

GMC designed the powertrain of your coach around tires that turn 495 revs per mile. This is an important number because:

Tires that turn MORE than 495 will lower your fuel mileage somewhat, decrease your top speed, but improve getting started on a slight grade a little.

Tires that turn LESS than 495 will have the opposite effect.

In addition, you have to consider maximum axle weights - for your 4107 it's 12,000 on the front axle and 20,000 on the rear. Thus you have to look at the maximum weight a tire you're considering will carry - without making your coach ride like buckboard because you've got to have the tires inflated to their maximum.

So, regardless of whether you have 22.5 or 24.5 inch rims, keep in mind that the closer the tires are to that magic 495 revs per mile, the closer to the overall performance that was designed into your coach you'll have.

Oh, and all HD truck tire dealers will have the revs/mile info in their tire specifications charts.

Finally, take the best of your current tires and use it as a spare.

FWIW & HTH. . .

very cool. thank you. as y'all probably already know I'm an extreme newbie to big busses... I'm used to old VW busses, so it's quite a learning curve.

Quote from: chessie4905 on September 26, 2016, 03:28:43 AM
Consider Bandag or Michelin recaps for the rear 4. Can save you a significant amount of money. I wouldn't consider any unknown quality companies that recap tires though.

http://www.michelintruck.com/tires-and-retreads/retreads/

http://www.bandag.com/en-us/index

very nice. thank you for the links, but I've never agreed with the recap idea. to me it's just not very safe imo. I'm willing to park the coach for as long as needed so I can buy brand new ones. I have one fairly newish tire that came off the front that I'm going to use as the spare.
again, thank you all for the help and advice in my crazy adventure in saving this old coach. y'all are the best!