Safe to drive 10 miles w/ one flat tire?

[TheHubbardBus]

Doubt anyone remembers, but a couple months back I broke the bead on one inner rear (dually) tires being stupid. Thought I got it re-seated through herculean efforts but that victory was short-lived. The bead is broken again completely all the way around.

We're ready to buy all new tires, & the shop doing the work is <10 miles distant taking surface streets. The bus is still gutted, so there's no weight in it at all.

So the question is: can I (& should I) drive it like this to the tire shop?

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by TheHubbardBus

Doubt anyone remembers, but a couple months back I broke the bead on one inner rear (dually) tires being stupid. Thought I got it re-seated through herculean efforts but that victory was short-lived. The bead is broken again completely all the way around.

We're ready to buy all new tires, & the shop doing the work is <10 miles distant taking surface streets. The bus is still gutted, so there's no weight in it at all.

So the question is: can I (& should I) drive it like this to the tire shop?

Kubla drove about ten miles with a rear flat. I've done it too.

[TheHubbardBus]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Kubla drove about ten miles with a rear flat. I've done it too.

Was it 'seat of the pants' sketchy, or 'no worries, mon'?

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by TheHubbardBus

Was it 'seat of the pants' sketchy, or 'no worries, mon'?

only went up to 40 mph or so. Take it easy and it should be fine. You can feel the difference but its not super scary.

[TheHubbardBus]

Sweet. Thanks so much, ECCB! I feel much better.


Can't wait to get Mr. Beefy's zapotos nuevos. This is what we're rolling with on the rear:

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by TheHubbardBus

Sweet. Thanks so much, ECCB! I feel much better.


Can't wait to get Mr. Beefy's zapotos nuevos. This is what we're rolling with on the rear:

Those are nice but man they're pricey.

[TheHubbardBus]

They are, but not even close to what we were looking at w/ a comparable bridgestone. Plus they were on sale, so not as bad as you'd think. Figure the first time I don't get stuck (hopefully!) will make up for it

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by TheHubbardBus

They are, but not even close to what we were looking at w/ a comparable bridgestone. Plus they were on sale, so not as bad as you'd think. Figure the first time I don't get stuck (hopefully!) will make up for it

I've got some very similar goodyear takeoffs from another forum member. They're virtually identical to the Firestones only they have slightly more aggressive tread. They're loud as heck, but dirt road traction is MUCH improved over all positions.
Those Firestones are my FAVORITE drive tires for a skoolie. The goodyears are also amazing but a little louder, imo. Had a set of those Firestones on another bus. They were great. If you got em for less than $400 or so that's pretty good.

[Native]

Yeah those Firestones are very nice tires. The Goodyears are noisy, but if you have a differential hum, the tires are not all that noisy.

[TheHubbardBus]

REALLY glad to hear of such glowing reviews based on real-world experience! Sounds like I lucked out!


I pretty much looked at every comparable tire from every major manufacturer I knew of, & that pattern appeared - from a visual perspective - to be the best compromise I could find to handle dirt well but still provide decent road manners. As far as noise goes, I can handle it. Everything we drive has aggressive tread. We'd probably think something was wrong w/o the hum


We paired them with FS561s in front. Think that's a good combo?

[TheHubbardBus]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

If you got em for less than $400 or so that's pretty good.

Simple Tire's running a president's sale right now. These are currently around ~$350 in 10R22.5. But we got them locally for a few bucks less from the place that's installing them.

[Native]

Originally Posted by TheHubbardBus

Simple Tire's running a president's sale right now. These are currently around ~$350 in 10R22.5. But we got them locally for a few bucks less from the place that's installing them.

Compared to the 11R22.5 RoadMaster all-position tires we put on our bus, that is a nice price.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by TheHubbardBus

Simple Tire's running a president's sale right now. These are currently around ~$350 in 10R22.5. But we got them locally for a few bucks less from the place that's installing them.

That's a helluva deal.

[Artor]

I got lucky when I bought my bus. The yard had several spare tires salvaged from other buses, and they sold me a front and rear spare for $50 each. I will never see them at that price ever again.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Artor

I got lucky when I bought my bus. The yard had several spare tires salvaged from other buses, and they sold me a front and rear spare for $50 each. I will never see them at that price ever again.

I've got some old 10R's with about 1/3 tread left I'd let go for $20 each if anyone in FL wants a spare. Got fronts and rears.

[Rock-N-Ruth]

Originally Posted by TheHubbardBus

Doubt anyone remembers, but a couple months back I broke the bead on one inner rear (dually) tires being stupid. Thought I got it re-seated through herculean efforts but that victory was short-lived. The bead is broken again completely all the way around.

We're ready to buy all new tires, & the shop doing the work is <10 miles distant taking surface streets. The bus is still gutted, so there's no weight in it at all.

So the question is: can I (& should I) drive it like this to the tire shop?

One of the beauties of duals is that a flat doesn't mean you are stuck. Just keep the speed down with the bead broken on the one tire. You don't want the flat to come apart and damage the other tire.

[kidharris]

Originally Posted by TheHubbardBus

Doubt anyone remembers, but a couple months back I broke the bead on one inner rear (dually) tires being stupid. Thought I got it re-seated through herculean efforts but that victory was short-lived. The bead is broken again completely all the way around.

We're ready to buy all new tires, & the shop doing the work is <10 miles distant taking surface streets. The bus is still gutted, so there's no weight in it at all.

So the question is: can I (& should I) drive it like this to the tire shop?

I bought a cheap "bead blaster" for about $70 online. made airing the tire up while still mounted on the bus a snap, since the other tire kept the weight from deforming the flat tire, otherwise I would have had to remove the wheel.


Looked like this one


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K0L8S3O...osi&th=1&psc=1


The tire truck guys would have laughed at me, but it worked.


Used the cheap Harbor Freight $40 air compressor, filled up the tank as much as the air compressor would do, 100psi, attached air line to the valve core and let it spew into the tire. Used the curved attachment pressed against the rim, braced myself, opened the valve full blast as quickly as I could, and boom, the tire seated. Left the little compressor running forever until the compressor shut off (100psi). Done.


I recommend doing a dry run of holding the tank, bracing yourself, get used to the weight, get the correct angle, and opening the valve. Be prepared for being startled/scared when you dump that tank all at once. Whole lot of noise.


My tire was the outside tire so it was no problem. Inner tire will be different but I think it is doable.


The tank can also be used to air/fix flats alongside the highway on your smaller tires using a short hose.

[Brad_SwiftFur]

Originally Posted by kidharris

I bought a cheap "bead blaster" for about $70 online. made airing the tire up while still mounted on the bus a snap, since the other tire kept the weight from deforming the flat tire, otherwise I would have had to remove the wheel.

The tire truck guys would have laughed at me, but it worked.

Why would truck tire guys laugh at you when many (all?) of them use (essentially) the exact same tool for the exact same reason? That's not funny, that's smart.

[kidharris]

Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur

Why would truck tire guys laugh at you when many (all?) of them use (essentially) the exact same tool for the exact same reason? That's not funny, that's smart.

Well, they use gas powered high cfm high psi compressors costing thousands of dollars compared to my $40 HF compressor and their bead blasters are lightweight aluminum and cost much more. Like comparing an ant to an elephant.

[TheHubbardBus]

Gracias to all. Absolutely no problems. Took surface streets the whole way.
Our new tires are sick!