18" tyres

Ganmain Tony · #1 29-09-09, 07:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by gordon

[moderator's note: this subject was split from the WW2 Compressor thread as it apparently is interesting enough to justify it's own thread.]

I've always had a problem with 18" wheels, or rather the tyres on them. The only vehicles that used 18" tyres in quantity were the DUKW and the Gama Goat - fortunately I was able to get later goat tyres to put on my DUKW.

A lot of trailers and non-standardised trucks used 18" wheels and tyres. I have four 8.25 x 18" tyres on my Ford SnoGo which were apparently an optional size for the Ford that year, but I've had no luck finding replacements for the perished originals.

Are new 18" tyres available in Australia, and if so can you get 8.25" width? I'm reluctant to spend a pile of money buying four for the truck while i'm actively trying to sell it but I'd like to know if they are available at least.

Any Autralian local pattern trucks use 18" wheels too ?

Gordon

Apologies if this is old news but I can't see anything on this thread about them.

Just doing some ringing around. Found a place not far from here at Leeton N.S.W. Aust. who said they can get brand new, light truck tyres in 10.5 - 18's. These are made in India and are not cheap. $425 each, Australian.

There is a Japanese Tractor tyre for about $180 but they seem to think they'd be too skinny, 7.5 18's.

Tony Smith please let me know if you've been down this road.

Hanno, I saw your photo of the Unimog tyres - how hard would those tyres be to get in Oz & cost?

Ganmain Tony · #2 29-09-09, 07:13

Sorry chaps, me again!

Still doing some investigation, might have struck something interesting & useful at the same time wrt 10.5 18inch tyres. Will let you know more when I know more.

Keith Webb · #3 29-09-09, 10:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ganmain Tony

Sorry chaps, me again!

Still doing some investigation, might have struck something interesting & useful at the same time wrt 10.5 18inch tyres. Will let you know more when I know more.

You'll be a popular man if you manage to source some.

Tony Smith · #4 29-09-09, 11:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ganmain Tony

Just doing some ringing around. Found a place not far from here at Leeton N.S.W. Aust. who said they can get brand new, light truck tyres in 10.5 - 18's. These are made in India and are not cheap. $425 each, Australian.

Tony Smith please let me know if you've been down this road.

Nah, never been to Leeton. What's the road like?

That's very good news re 10.50-18s. If they are a usable road pattern (ie: not tractor mud herringbone, etc), and not something like 20ply, then as Keith said they will be warmly received. I can think of 3 people that would be interested in 4 or 5 ea, maybe even at $425.

Ganmain Tony · #5 30-09-09, 01:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

Nah, never been to Leeton. What's the road like?

That's very good news re 10.50-18s. If they are a usable road pattern (ie: not tractor mud herringbone, etc), and not something like 20ply, then as Keith said they will be warmly received. I can think of 3 people that would be interested in 4 or 5 ea, maybe even at $425.

By the way Tony, I couldnt stop drooling over the Beer Barrel Ford. What an absolute beauty!!!

Road is probably the equivalent of Lithgow to Mudgee - you know, pretty good except for the one spine jarring pot hole where the milk truck turns onto the main road from the one surviving Dairy farm.

Keep the banter coming.....your quips are still better then my best jokes.

Ganmain Tony · #6 30-09-09, 03:49

and not something like 20ply, then as Keith said they will be warmly received.

This information comes from Frank Cross Tyres in Dubbo -

The first two types of tyres shown here are a 10 ply

as are the light truck tyres shown on the previous thread. Apparently they are speed rated at 90-100km/h.

There is a Swedish made radial 10.5 X 18 that also comes with a Swedish made price tag. The boys at Frank Cross said probably double ($800 Aust) but could not give me an exact figure.

Apparently these prices can drop a fair bit. It depends on 'How much they can screw their supplier down'.

If 10 ply tyres are no good - sorry for getting anyone excited.

They did say if they came across any type of 18" radial they would let me know via E-mail.

gordon · #7 30-09-09, 11:27

Since I sold Puff down Under, I now have one NOS 8.25 x 18 tyre wrapped up in the garage that I can sell, bought it after being referred from a link on here.

I don't remember the brand, but it is an original, NOS, not perished or whatever, road tread.

I also own two in the US which I have yet to get picked up, so if anyone reading this in the US wants two I'll put them in touch with the guy who is holding them.

Gordon

Corey Myronuk · #8 27-01-13, 01:43

I am currently trying to track down who got the bulk of the gama goat tires my friend had,he has since passed away and his collection was liquidated but i sorted through some of the 10,000 yes 10,000 GG tires on wheels When i bought the load of twenty i brought back last i saw him.

it's very sad he's departed..
i will keep you posted on the search

oh and the GG tires are a chopped nylon non belted tire..i run them on my M37..they are load range C..max pressure is 22psi..they have worked wonderfully for me but they are very soft and have a large contact patch.Steering is a bit tougher and undampened oscillations on washboard roads are an exciting adventure..but in mud and soft conditions the are awesome..i would not however ever consider using them on a dukw..that is pure danger imho...far too much load and with heat buildup and such or overinflation its just asking for injury.If i was planning to load my M37 to the GVW and take it down the highway i would think twice..
They are also tubeless with a split ring..i was shocked..but its the truth..i couldnt believe it when i took one apart to change a valve stem..

Corey

Matt Austin · #9 30-03-14, 05:28

G'day folks,

Sorry to be a pest and raise the dead, but did anything ever eventuate in relation to 10.50-18 tyres? Are the $425 ones still available?

Cheers,
Matt

Hanno Spoelstra · #10 30-09-09, 01:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ganmain Tony

Hanno, I saw your photo of the Unimog tyres - how hard would those tyres be to get in Oz & cost?

Tony,

I got it from the Vrakking site, see http://www.aircrafttyres.com/. Don´t know them, but according to their website they "import and export tires all over the world". Fire off an e-mail to them, I´d say.

H.

Ganmain Tony · #11 30-09-09, 02:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Tony,

I got it from the Vrakking site, see http://www.aircrafttyres.com/. Don´t know them, but according to their website they "import and export tires all over the world". Fire off an e-mail to them, I´d say.

H.

Thanks Hanno - will let you know the result's of what I'm looking into as well.