| Author |
Message |
Sean Mormelo (Sventvkg) (66.58.223.108)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 10:27 pm: | |
Anyone ever use them? I simply can not afford brand new regular tires and I need them all around on my MC5c. A Trucker friend says he uses retreads all the time and goes all over North America on them with no more problems then new tires. I will put the best tires I can get on the steering axle but for the back I was thinking retreads. Any thoughts? |
Dwight (67.213.8.215)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 10:31 pm: | |
Sure no problem on the rear, but use new on the steer. |
Johnny (4.174.70.37)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 12:51 am: | |
I plan to run caps on the drive axle.
Don't put them on the front (illegal on any bus), & DON'T RUN ANYTHING BUT BANDAG! |
Buswarrior (Buswarrior) (64.229.208.145)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 4:10 am: | |
Hello Sean
I'll agree with Johnny, and add that Michelin is doing remanufactured tires as well, and they are very picky about their casings.
Most busnut tires start to crack the sidewalls due to age long before they get the life out of the tread.
Remanufactured tires are just as good as new tires. Study done on US interstates found no more retreads than new tires become 'gators. Primary cause of tire failure by a country mile is proper inflation.
Tire gauge should be a busnut's close companion.
Got yours?
happy coaching!
buswarrior |
Jim Ashworth (Jimnh) (172.201.7.51)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 8:00 am: | |
The bus line I bought my first shell from had recaps on the outer duals. They said it was ok to run them there because they were out in cool air. On the inside was too hot for sustained use at highway speeds. Long story short-- the recap didn't hold up even on the outside.
Losing a recap at highway speeds can do significant damage to the bus or a car travelling next to you. The damage may exceed what you save on the recaps and put you on the side of the road where you least want to be.
That experience left a bad taste for recaps so they are not in my future. If I can't afford tires, the bus will sit or be sold.
Jim |
Gus Haag (Mrbus) (205.188.116.135)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 8:54 am: | |
This is one of those subjects that has been beaten to death on this board and almost any place the busnuts gather. The bottom line is that quality recaps are a good buy. After being involved with the charter and tour bus business for many years, I can tell you that we sucessfully ran recaps for many years. Our procedure was new on front, move the front to the boggie, cap the boggie tires for the drives. We ran them matched on both the inside and out side duals fit good results. As has been said, the critical factor in all tire failure is underinflation which generates more heat.
I am not sure that I would want to buy recaps that were on casings that I did not know the history, but have no reservations about capping my own casings.
That being said, we as busnuts usually experience sidewall deterioration due to age, long before we need new tread rubber, so we may not have casings that are suitable for capping.
JMO Gus Haag |
John that newguy (199.232.240.250)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 9:22 am: | |
I never had "recaps" on any bus I've driven, but one company I
part-timed for, used re-grooves on the rear axles. All bus and
truck tires are made to be re-grooved and work well. If it says
"re-groovable", it's ok-dokay. I would not use "recaps" on anything
I own.
Buying and using "take-offs" isn't a bad idea either. Most major
truck/bus tire dealers have them in the bins. I have been informed
that two dealers in Orlando, Fl sell them for $125 each, mounted.
For the minor amount of mileage, and the type of mileage any RV
is commonly used, it sure seems silly to be debating "longevity"
and "road speed". I remember taking old city line buses on charters
from Long Island to Hershey, Pa, with every seat full. Never a
blowout on any of those intracity tires.
Tire pressure should be observed. Too low and you'll be calling
for the wrecker. High, max pressure only nets a harder ride. I prefer to
bounce than sit idle, thank you. |
Mark R. Obtinario (Cowlitzcoach) (204.245.250.15)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 10:24 am: | |
Retreads, particularly good ones like Bandag, can be a very good choice for drive tires.
Personally, I use new tires all the way around. Mostly this is a cost factor. If I trade in my new tires when they still have some life in them the casing deposit I receive offsets the cost of new tires to the point the recap is virtually the same price. And unless I know the history of the casing, I would rather not put them on my bus.
If you keep the air pressure up where it is supposed to be, considering how few miles most RV's travel in a year, a good recap is a low cost alternative to new tires.
Good luck.
Mark O. |
madbrit (67.136.110.10)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 11:49 am: | |
Jim,
You may find that having recaps on the outers only was the reason for failure. One is meant to have the duals in indentical pairs so they are the same diameter. Obviously having a recap and a virgin on the same side will not guarantee the same diameter.
Peter. |
Johnny (4.174.106.63)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 26, 2004 - 12:00 am: | |
"The bus line I bought my first shell from had recaps on the outer duals. They said it was ok to run them there because they were out in cool air. On the inside was too hot for sustained use at highway speeds. Long story short-- the recap didn't hold up even on the outside."
I rarely see a coach around here WITHOUT caps on the drive axle.
The ramp truck I drive has Bandags (ancient 10.00R20 tube type) on the back--over 15,000 miles so far on these with little wear & no problems. |