Argo Swin Tires

[Jerry In Maine]

Can someone recommend a good tire for the water that's at a decent price?

[AlaskaGrizzly]

I've heard they are making the old goodyear runamuk again if you have a machine with the 22" tires. Just looked them up on Amazon and they are $96 each. The new argo tires swim good but they are expensive!!! I don't know of any other tires that swim well.

I can tell you the ITP Mud Lite tires do NOT swim according to a friend that has them. I can also tell you that the Goodyear Rawhide III's I've run did not swim well either.

[Jerry In Maine]

I currently have 18X9.5x8 knobby. Your post addresses my concern of spending ~$700 on tires just to find out I'm no better off water-wise than I am now.

[Jerry In Maine]

wondering if I'm better off getting a small outboard motor...what horsepower would I need balancing power and weight?

[AlaskaGrizzly]

The old style runamuks swim pretty good. Keep an eye out for used ones?

5 hp maximum on the motor. I've had a 10 or 15 hp that belonged to a friend (can't remember exact hp) on my argo and it would not go much faster than my old Gamefisher 3.5 hp

[coffinman]

Get a 55lb thrust Minoka trolling motor, and a good marine battery.

[great white]

wondering if I'm better off getting a small outboard motor...what horsepower would I need balancing power and weight?

I chucked an old 2Hp Johnson/Evinrude I had lying around on mine.

stored for land travel:



Down for water use:





Mine is just a regular length leg, you need a longer leg if you want to use the conventional outboard mount location or you have to make your own custom mount of some sort. Typically, the longer leg outboards are what you will see used on sailboats as "kickers".

Some guys try throwing 10 hp outboards on there but honestly, it doesn't make a lot of difference in speed. The extra weight is kind of all for nothing. My 2hp is so light, I can throw it around with one arm like it's not even there. I've got a Johnson 8 hp that I thought about using, but the weight difference just totally turned me off on it. The 2 hp probably weighs around 5-7 bs, the 8 HP is closer to 20. These are 2 strokes byt the way. 4 strokers are even heavier.

The Argo is a displacement hull and that limits it's speed anyways. As far as I'm concerned, more HP just means more weight and not a lot more speed. The 8 tires sticking out don't help either. If you need to go fast in the water, you need something other than an Argo......

The outboard is really more for "pure" water use and it has to be up out of the way when on land so you don't "bang" it. Or, you have to limit where and how you drive.

Where the outboard solution really sucks is those situations where you're shallow enough to not be able to use the outboard but deep enough to loose touch with the bottom from time to time. Sucks when trying to river cross too, just not enough time to get it in use and a PITA when you are trying to climb the bank.

Unfortunately, swimming tires are still needed if you use an Argo like an Amphib. Outboards have thier uses, but often can't make up for the limitations of using "knobbies" instead of "chevrons". It's one of those areas where the Argo is so specialized/unique, only the right type of tires will work.

I hear you loud and clear on the tire prices. My 8x8 has knobbies (installed by PO) and I almost had a cardiac event when I went looking for prices on runamucks (or any other swimmer).

Knobbies also make it harder to skid steer, unless I'm on a "greasy" or "loose" surface.

But, I have an idea that may make them swim (at least a little).

Right now, the knobbies will just spin the Argo in a circle if I try to swim them. The PO had tried making "paddles"that clamped onto the axles to try and make it swim. That was less than successful. The problem with paddles is the same problem as knobbies. When they spin in water, they throw water off at every 360 degree radial of the tire.

Put a little more simply, the water they throw reward (IE: forward thrust) is countered by the water they throw forward. Net result is you go nowhere or just spin around.

The SAE Baja series used to have a water portion and they solved the problem by using "fenders" on the tires. What they did was make a fender that essentially "scraped" the water off the tire as it tried to throw water forward. They also made "ducts" that directed that water rearward. The end result was forward thrust. Even better when they used "chevron" style tread patterns.

Since the Argo has no suspension, a close fitting fender isn't a real issue. Unless you cake it up with mud.

I intend to make a rough set of fenders for my knobbies this summer (really, not much more than a strategically placed board) and see if they will swim at all. Its just still too cold to try that here right now. Not to mention the Argo is in "rebuild mode" right now also.....

[ARGOJIM]

I currently have 18X9.5x8 knobby. Your post addresses my concern of spending ~$700 on tires just to find out I'm no better off water-wise than I am now.

Spend the money it's well worth it, knobbies do not swim at all and may push you backwards slightly attempting forward. Add to that the correct 22x10x8 tire and you are swimming about 2mph with steering and much more capable on land.
Look at the pictures in the galleries, there are really only a couple tires that work well all around, Runamuk, RawhideIII, Argo and Vendetta. Some other brands swim slightly though not near as well.

[Jerry In Maine]

these RUNAMUK 22x10-8 tires will fit the wheels my current 18x9.5x8 knobby are on? No tub clearance issues on the Vanguard? If no issues Ill buy them.

51euBNAHy0L._AC_UL320_.jpg

[ARGOJIM]

Without seeing your current rims and assuming your rims are the stock Argo ones then yes, the Runamuk is the stock tire your and most all others came with new. The early Vanguard had a different wheel spacing than the later Vanguard2 and Bigfoot which will take 25's and 25's came stock on the Bigfoot.
I stuffed the shorter 25's on my 84I/C but would recommend the 22x10x8 Runamuk for most, My Vanguard 2 had the 22's and performs well, large lugs do not mean you will get further just that they will dig more as throttle control is key. The paddles allow for controllable swimming but as with any tire propelled machine avoid currents.
The other advantage to the stock tire is they will accept Argo and other tracks.

[Jerry In Maine]

my wheels have a maple leaf and MADE IN CANADA stamped on them so I assume they're Argo stock

image1[141].jpg…

Hopefully the new tires will fit OK as I just ordered them

[ARGOJIM]

[ve1sar]

Hi, if you are running tracks on your Argo or are going to keep this in mind when buying tires. Some tires
do not fit some tracks. A little info for you. Paul

[ARGOJIM]

Wondering if you mounted the tires and went for a swim, remember to put the tires forward >>> reverse

[Jerry In Maine]

not yet. have the tires, but have the argo down in the shop getting ready to put bearings and seals in....after I finish my wife's cedar flower boxes that is. hope to start Monday/Tuesday. any tips on getting bearings and seals in? this will be my first attempt.