Tire pressure?

powers · Post by **powers** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 15:02

I'm running some 600x6s on my champ. Whats the recommended tire pressure for these tires?

Roger Anderson · Post by **Roger Anderson** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 15:24

powers wrote:I'm running some 600x6s on my champ. Whats the recommended tire pressure for these tires?

The consensus of opinion from numerous recent discussion about this, either on here or on the email discussion site was....more than 15 lbs, gets too bouncy....less than about 11, too low. I heard a formula mentioned for many planes, of 1 lb for every 100 lbs of aircraft's gross weight. That falls into the range mentioned.

Captgrumps · Post by **Captgrumps** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 16:55

I run 15-16 pounds in mine--Too little and you can tear a valve stem by having the tire slip on the rim, especially if you land on a hard surface runway and have to use brakes. There have been many valve stems torn on J-3 Cubs because owners thought the low pressure profile tires looked neat. Cubs recommemd 16 pounds. Torn valve stems are quite frequient in Stearman, Fairachild and Staggerwing tires as they are small, very sturdy and are deciveable to look at. They are high pressure and because they are small and heavy construction they appear to be inflated most of the time. I have changed a number of them for folks. Also a number of Cub tubes.

Every tire has its own requirement--plys, sidewall contruction and etc.

Doug

SFC Hiatt · Post by **SFC Hiatt** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 17:33

Grumps, I have always ran 12-15 because I was afraid of cracking a rim. I just put two new Michelin AIRSTOP tubes on yesterday with my annual. Turns out someone had put stop leak in one and the other had a weak valve stem that tore off when splitting the wheels.

Now, I'm itching to get 15 pounds in them to keep from tearing a valve stem.

Damn*d if I do Damn*ed if I don't!

Captgrumps · Post by **Captgrumps** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 17:45

That pressure seems to go alright with the rims--I have found some that folks think 24-28 was alright--suspect they have been Cessna owners in the past.

Doug

Post by **joea** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 18:36

powers wrote:I'm running some 600x6s on my champ. Whats the recommended tire pressure for these tires?

Grass or pavement?

You could run a bit higher on grass but on pavement anything from 15 psi or higher on my old Chief and it was "skiddish." Reduced the pressure a bit and it settled right down.

You do not want to run less than 11-12 psi either, as it may be the cause of rims cracking.

Joe A

flyingfool · Post by **flyingfool** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:43

Holy crap!

I looked at my Chief's tires when I got it and they looked underinflated. I then asked somebody what tire pressure 6.00x6 should have. And I was told 30 psi.

So I inflated my tires to 30 psi. And they look great. But now to find out that 15 psi is plenty for a Chief!

Good grief, I have been wondering why my landings have not been as good as the ones I was making when I first got the plane.

I will lower my tire pressure.

Paul Agaliotis · Post by **Paul Agaliotis** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:50

I run a higher pressure. It makes the airplane easier to move in and out of the hangar.
Paul

Post by **joea** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 11:42

Paul,

What do you run? Fly off of grass or hard surface?

FF,

Try 15 psi and see how you like it.

Joe A

Paul Agaliotis · Post by **Paul Agaliotis** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:19

Joe,
Most of the flying is hard surface. We will go out to a few grass fields but not many.
I try to keep about 28 to 30 pounds in them. It makes the airplane handle a little better.
I've tried the lower pressures and don't see much difference with the Champs. The Cubs and T crafts are more particular on the pressures. I guess it could because of the stiffer suspension.
Paul

Mnflyer · Post by **Mnflyer** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 14:17

Hi, I run 22 PSI in the Champ tires fly of of grass for the most part but some hard surfaces and I much prefer the higher pressure tried 15 PSI and didn't like the way the Champ handled and as Paul posted higher pressure sure makes it easier to push around.

flyingfool · Post by **flyingfool** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 17:15

When I first got the plane it had 12 to 15 psi.

I raised it to 30 psi.

I think I will now split the difference and set it at 20 psi.

I usualy take off on pavement and land on the grass. Although I use the grass for Take off once in a while. I figure take off on pavement doesn't do too much tire wear.

SFC Hiatt · Post by **SFC Hiatt** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 18:58

OK tubes are cheaper than wheels so I'm going with 15 psi on Thursdays and Sundays and 25 psi on every other Monday........on Wednesdays when the temperature is above 70 I'll put 18 psi otherwise I'll just thumb them with a stick like 18 wheel truck drivers do to semi-trailers.

Wow, kind of like which is better Chief's or Champs ;0

Post by **joea** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 19:23

SFC Hiatt wrote:Wow, kind of like which is better Chief's or Champs ;0

Thats an easy one! Chiefs all the way!

Every person is different. Try 15, then 20, then 25 and so on and see what you like. I have never tried anything over 20 and was thinking about giving it a try shortly. We are doing the annual on the Sedan and it would be a good time to raise TP after inspecting the wheels and doing the bearings.

Joe A

SFC Hiatt · Post by **SFC Hiatt** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 21:40

A (1) USED Cleveland 6.00 x 6 Aircraft Wheel just sold on ebay for $332.57 that's almost 7 new tubes.

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Tire pressure?

Tire pressure?

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