Question on tires for the Bus

[nikitis]

So New to the tires thing. I'm currently working on the king pin job, and was starting to think about the tires more because the next step after fixing the King Pins is to replace the front Steering tires since they are worn on one side.


I'm running quite large Truck Steering tires. I know the larger sized tires are better for speed, and it's certainly something I need gains in for sure, however, I'm also thinking about ruggedness and offroad capabilities.


Has anyone run any kind of All Terrain or even Mud tires on their Bus in the front?



I've never even looked into this at all before, and wondered why settle for road tires? I understand that it would be quite loud, but my 7.3 liter engine is loud anyway and don't really mind it too much. I run Mud Tires on my Silverado on the street and it's loud too, but still don't mind it. If I don't mind the noise is this something that is doable? Are there any recommendations on alternative tires, or are steering truck tires the only way to go?


I'm willing to change out the Rims as well if necessary.

[fo4imtippin]

Mud tires on front do nothing for you since there's no front wheel drive. They won't track in the rain as well. They will look cooler though.


My bus came with new tires when I got it. They are smaller than I would like, but when it comes time to change them out, I'm putting aggressive off brand11r22.5 on the rear and something like contentental steer tires on.

[s2mikon]

So what size are you running now? What size do you want to run?

[sportyrick]

I run quality steer tires in all positions and have never had an issue with traction. I'm talking horizontal snow, horizontal rain, ice, soft sand, just about anything you can think of but don't be testing your bus traction, stay on as solid of ground that you can. As long as I don't pull into the front yard with a couple inches of snow insulating the ground from freezing, ya I did and just had the fronts sink, took a 100 hp JD to get me out.... in the snow.

[Omnibot2000]

My vote if you want to go with an aggressive tire on a steer is anything with a closed shoulder. Will keep your cupping under control. My Goodyear steers have a little cupping going on but are 50% worn out. With that said they are way past there age. I'll likely be running an all position smooth tire all around. I can handle an engine running at 2200 RPMs but not the roar of a cupped tire on top of an aggressive tire.

[nikitis]

Ya'll make a good point about it not pulling from the front, it is 2WD. A fact that slipped my mind.


That being said, if I were to say drive it out in the salt flats in Utah (as an example) where there are areas of soft sand and buses tend to get stuck, what would be the best combination. I feel like truck steer tires are too thin width wise and would sink/cut into it, wouldn't a wider tire help float it a little better especially if the rear is pushing the front into the ground?

[Omnibot2000]

For sand use and on a steer I cannot see a drive tire helping.

I would try:

1. going to the widest tire possible that would not rub while steering to lock. Even if it means finding a wider rim.

2. Lower the ply rating of a tire so long as it can support the weight that is currently applied too.

3. Bring air supply. Lower air pressure of tire for the really soft sand if you can before hand.

[Bon Voyage]

A set of those wide dump truck tires would look cool if you could get them to fit

[La Camioneta]

I like the waste hauler tread for drivers.