Tire questions

JohnnieB · 07-16-2011, 11:25 AM

I've got a slow leak on left front and a not so slow one on the right rear, so tire replacement is inching higher on my to-do list, but I don't know diddly squat about golf cart tires and wheels.

Cart is a 2008 TXT PDS and has Carlisle Links 18.0x8.5-8 tires on it. (Which are actually 17.4 x 8.1 mounted dimensions)
No plans or desires to lift. (Center of gravity concerns - SWMBO and I carry a lot of gravity

)
No plans or desires to go faster than the stock 15 to 20 mph.
No plans or desires to climb grades greater than 45 degrees.
Used mostly on paved or gravel roads, but have to cross some fields and climb some grassy knolls to avoid main roads.
(Cops don't bother me, but overloaded log trucks and drivers using cellphones sure do.

)

*Other than Carlisle, who makes golf cart tires?

*What tread patterns have good directional stability on pavement and still have reasonably good traction on grass?

*Do wider tires substantially increase the workload on the motor like larger diameter tires do?

*Do wheel spacers that position the wheels further outboard adversely effect the directional stability and/or steering & handling of the cart?
(Nothing radical, just an inch or so to clear tie rod ends and springs if wider tires are installed)

*What works best with carts, Radial or Cross-bias ply.?

From what I've read here, I can probably put 20" tires on it without lifting, but I don't have a need for speed, so I'll probably stick to 18.5" or less mounted diameter and no more than 10" mounted width.
That will only be about a 6% increase in circumference, so the increased motor workload would be minimal and a 1" space should give me the needed clearance.

Thanks,
John

EZGO-MY-WALLET2 · 07-16-2011, 05:32 PM

I was kind of in the same boat as you. I had two crap tires one being out of round(or from tire slim or a bent wheel). I also didn't want to get crazy with changes. I went with a lower end 10" wheel/tire combo that includes wheels/tires/center caps and lugs for just over $400 and have never looked back. That was some of the best money I have spent as far as my ride and (to me) the difference in looks. If you subtract the cost of new tires for your stock rims plus mounting them from the price of a decent package with all new stuff.....it was the way to go in my opinion.

The lower profile tire in 10" will be almost the exact same diameter as your stock 8" tires. I don't know by trying limits, but I would guess the tires will be just as good if not better traction wise in grass then stock tires.

rabbitreborn · 07-16-2011, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnieB

*Other than Carlisle, who makes golf cart tires?Duro, Rhox,Golf Pro, Kenda...... the list goes on and on

*What tread patterns have good directional stability on pavement and still have reasonably good traction on grass?most any of the names mentioned above make a decent tire for "on road" use that will handle well in grass

*Do wider tires substantially increase the workload on the motor like larger diameter tires do?in short, yes they do.

*Do wheel spacers that position the wheels further outboard adversely effect the directional stability and/or steering & handling of the cart?
(Nothing radical, just an inch or so to clear tie rod ends and springs if wider tires are installed)No, if anything, they will generally increase stability...... Wider is better as the old Mazda commercial used to say

*What works best with carts, Radial or Cross-bias ply.?Radials are usually too high priced for my taste. As long as you are not gonna leave the cart sit for months on end, the bias-ply work really well

From what I've read here, I can probably put 20" tires on it without lifting, but I don't have a need for speed, so I'll probably stick to 18.5" or less mounted diameter and no more than 10" mounted width.
That will only be about a 6% increase in circumference, so the increased motor workload would be minimal and a 1" space should give me the needed clearance.

Thanks,
John

I tried to answer all your questions above in red, Not sure what type of cart you have but if it's a TXT, you can actually go to a 12" diameter rim with a low profile tire and it will fill the wheel well and look good in the process. Personally I would do a set of Duro Easy Street mounted on a 10" polished aluminum rim.......

scottyb · 07-16-2011, 09:36 PM

I would suggest a Scorpion 19.50x9.5x8 knobby tire... designed for those short cuts which may get a little muddy this winter. They will mount on your stock rims and no need to worry about wheel spacers, they fit any stock cart....

rabbitreborn · 07-16-2011, 11:05 PM

I thought he said most of his driving was on pavement/gravel? knobby tires would make for a rough ride if that was the case.....

JohnnieB · 07-17-2011, 08:48 AM

Thanks for the info/suggestion guys.

EZGO-MY-WALLET2
Nice set of wheels! (Pun intended)
Did you notice the ride being harsher with the low-profile tires?
What tire size did you use? (IE: 20x10x8?)

rabbitreborn
My cart is a 2008 TXT PDS
My preference for radials dates back to my sports car days, but don't know if the improved handling and ride, if any, offsets the higher price for something as lightweight and lowspeed as golf carts and haven't found any debates on the subject.

scottyb
I do like Pirelli tires, but knobbies might be a little rough on this old body while driving on pavement.

I hadn't given any thought to wet fields.

Thanks for the nudge.

Looks like I've got some research to do.
Fortunately, being retired, I've got the time to do it.... (When I'm not busy with SWMBO's Honey-Do lists that is.

)

EZGO-MY-WALLET2 · 07-17-2011, 05:57 PM

My stock tires were so gone (ride) the new wheels/tires made me feel like a had a whole new golf cart. My tires are 205/50-10 (8"wheel to a 10"wheel).

I sent you a PM.

07-16-2011, 11:25 AM	#1
JohnnieB Techno-Nerd Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: West Virginia Posts: 19,654	Tire questions I've got a slow leak on left front and a not so slow one on the right rear, so tire replacement is inching higher on my to-do list, but I don't know diddly squat about golf cart tires and wheels. Cart is a 2008 TXT PDS and has Carlisle Links 18.0x8.5-8 tires on it. (Which are actually 17.4 x 8.1 mounted dimensions) No plans or desires to lift. (Center of gravity concerns - SWMBO and I carry a lot of gravity) No plans or desires to go faster than the stock 15 to 20 mph. No plans or desires to climb grades greater than 45 degrees. Used mostly on paved or gravel roads, but have to cross some fields and climb some grassy knolls to avoid main roads. (Cops don't bother me, but overloaded log trucks and drivers using cellphones sure do. ) Other than Carlisle, who makes golf cart tires? What tread patterns have good directional stability on pavement and still have reasonably good traction on grass? Do wider tires substantially increase the workload on the motor like larger diameter tires do? Do wheel spacers that position the wheels further outboard adversely effect the directional stability and/or steering & handling of the cart? (Nothing radical, just an inch or so to clear tie rod ends and springs if wider tires are installed) *What works best with carts, Radial or Cross-bias ply.? From what I've read here, I can probably put 20" tires on it without lifting, but I don't have a need for speed, so I'll probably stick to 18.5" or less mounted diameter and no more than 10" mounted width. That will only be about a 6% increase in circumference, so the increased motor workload would be minimal and a 1" space should give me the needed clearance. Thanks, John

07-16-2011, 09:36 PM	#4
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,406	Re: Tire questions I would suggest a Scorpion 19.50x9.5x8 knobby tire... designed for those short cuts which may get a little muddy this winter. They will mount on your stock rims and no need to worry about wheel spacers, they fit any stock cart....

07-16-2011, 11:05 PM	#5
rabbitreborn Gone Wild Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,757	Re: Tire questions I thought he said most of his driving was on pavement/gravel? knobby tires would make for a rough ride if that was the case.....

07-17-2011, 08:48 AM	#6
JohnnieB Techno-Nerd Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: West Virginia Posts: 19,654	Re: Tire questions Thanks for the info/suggestion guys. EZGO-MY-WALLET2 Nice set of wheels! (Pun intended) Did you notice the ride being harsher with the low-profile tires? What tire size did you use? (IE: 20x10x8?) rabbitreborn My cart is a 2008 TXT PDS My preference for radials dates back to my sports car days, but don't know if the improved handling and ride, if any, offsets the higher price for something as lightweight and lowspeed as golf carts and haven't found any debates on the subject. scottyb I do like Pirelli tires, but knobbies might be a little rough on this old body while driving on pavement. I hadn't given any thought to wet fields. Thanks for the nudge. Looks like I've got some research to do. Fortunately, being retired, I've got the time to do it.... (When I'm not busy with SWMBO's Honey-Do lists that is. )

07-17-2011, 05:57 PM	#7
EZGO-MY-WALLET2 Gone Wild Join Date: May 2010 Location: Upstate, S.C. Posts: 208	Re: Tire questions My stock tires were so gone (ride) the new wheels/tires made me feel like a had a whole new golf cart. My tires are 205/50-10 (8"wheel to a 10"wheel). I sent you a PM.

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