Seeking US Source for Main Wheel Tubes

[Chris OCallaghan]

I was disappointed by Desser Tire of Memphis Tennessee last week when
they sent me three 5.00-5 tubes with a valve unsuitable for my wheel
(interferes with landing gear strut). They assured me this was the
only available valve and would work for my sailplane. I've removed
them from my list of suppliers.

I am currently seeking a source for 5.00-5 short valve and double bend
valve tubes common to glider applications. My preference is for the
Michelin Airstop TR-67A with short 90-degree bend valve. My preference
would be for an intelligent supplier with dedicated to customer
service. Price is secondary. If you have a suggestion, please share.

Thanks.

OC

[Nolaminar]

Does Seibert in Munster, German supply such items?


GA

[Neal Pfeiffer]

Check http://www.eglider.org/catalog/subcat11.htm for one possibility.

njp

Chris OCallaghan wrote:
> I was disappointed by Desser Tire of Memphis Tennessee last week when
> they sent me three 5.00-5 tubes with a valve unsuitable for my wheel
> (interferes with landing gear strut). They assured me this was the
> only available valve and would work for my sailplane. I've removed
> them from my list of suppliers.
>
> I am currently seeking a source for 5.00-5 short valve and double bend
> valve tubes common to glider applications. My preference is for the
> Michelin Airstop TR-67A with short 90-degree bend valve. My preference
> would be for an intelligent supplier with dedicated to customer
> service. Price is secondary. If you have a suggestion, please share.
>
> Thanks.
>
> OC

[Thomas Knauff]

We stock them.

--
Thomas Knauff
Knauff & Grove, Inc.
Schempp-Hirth Sailplanes
3523 South Eagle Valley Road
Julian, Pa 16844
Phone (814) 355 2483
Fax (814) 355 2633
www.eglider.org
"Neal Pfeiffer" > wrote in message
m...
> Check http://www.eglider.org/catalog/subcat11.htm for one possibility.
>
> njp
>
> Chris OCallaghan wrote:
> > I was disappointed by Desser Tire of Memphis Tennessee last week when
> > they sent me three 5.00-5 tubes with a valve unsuitable for my wheel
> > (interferes with landing gear strut). They assured me this was the
> > only available valve and would work for my sailplane. I've removed
> > them from my list of suppliers.
> >
> > I am currently seeking a source for 5.00-5 short valve and double bend
> > valve tubes common to glider applications. My preference is for the
> > Michelin Airstop TR-67A with short 90-degree bend valve. My preference
> > would be for an intelligent supplier with dedicated to customer
> > service. Price is secondary. If you have a suggestion, please share.
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > OC
>

[Andy Durbin]

(Chris OCallaghan) wrote in message >...
> I was disappointed by Desser Tire of Memphis Tennessee last week when
> they sent me three 5.00-5 tubes with a valve unsuitable for my wheel


Had a similar problem with them trying to get tail dolly tubes. At
that time they stocked several different valve stem types but it took
a few phone calls to sort it out. My spare main tubes came from them
but that was a few years ago.

In an emergency it is fairly easy to modify the stem by cutting it,
sleeving it with brass model tube, and silver soldering. Had to do
that once when I forgot to remove the stem extender.

Probably easier to support your favorite glider parts dealer.


Andy

[Chip Bearden]

> Had a similar problem with them trying to get tail dolly tubes. At
> that time they stocked several different valve stem types but it took
> a few phone calls to sort it out. My spare main tubes came from them
> but that was a few years ago.
>
> In an emergency it is fairly easy to modify the stem by cutting it,
> sleeving it with brass model tube, and silver soldering. Had to do
> that once when I forgot to remove the stem extender.
>
> Probably easier to support your favorite glider parts dealer.

Easier still is replacing the tail dolly tube/wheel with a solid
rubber wheel from Home Depot. It's not TSO'd, but hopefully you'll
never take it with you in flight. :)

Chip Bearden

[Eric Greenwell]

Chip Bearden wrote:
>>Had a similar problem with them trying to get tail dolly tubes. At
>>that time they stocked several different valve stem types but it took
>>a few phone calls to sort it out. My spare main tubes came from them
>>but that was a few years ago.
>>
>>In an emergency it is fairly easy to modify the stem by cutting it,
>>sleeving it with brass model tube, and silver soldering. Had to do
>>that once when I forgot to remove the stem extender.
>>
>>Probably easier to support your favorite glider parts dealer.
>
>
> Easier still is replacing the tail dolly tube/wheel with a solid
> rubber wheel from Home Depot. It's not TSO'd, but hopefully you'll
> never take it with you in flight. :)

Or, for a particularly heavy tail like my ASH 26 E, I replaced the
entire caster unit, wheel and all, with a heavier duty one from Harbor
Freight. It was $10, so I bought a spare. I couldn't find a suitable
solid one, as they were either too hard and didn't roll well over cracks
and bumps, or didn't have sufficient load capacity (the problem with the
original tube and tire).


--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA

[Chris OCallaghan]

Received some particularly useful information via email.

TOST replaces the stock valve on the tubes they use in their wheel
assemblies. There is no indication of the change on the tube; however,
the valve is marked. When ordering, it is important to note the valve
imprint (as opposed to the stamp on the tube itself). I should note
that the original tube (the one I replaced) developed a leak along the
seam of the vulcanized, non-standard valve. I plan to inspect these
tubes carefully in future before putting a new one into service.

For my Ventus 2bx, the valve is marked as follows:

Alligator
TR88eq
Made in Germany

This is the short valve stem with a 90-degree bend. The double bend
long stem valve from the Nimbus 3 tube also works, though clearance
with the gear strut is marginal.

Many thanks to PSU, who kept me in the contest at Uvalde by lending me
his spare.

Thanks all for your help.