why did they stop making balloon tires?

[AndyL]

what was the main reason why the companies quit manufacturing th 3-lug balloon tires?

[eddieb1965]

My personel opinion is that the manufacturers and consumers saw the downside of having a fragile tire that couldnt be broken down to repair.I wish one of the original manufacturers would have a rerun just for nostalgia.It would take some doing to make a adapter to step down from my 5 bolt hubs to the 3 bolt ,and fit inside the rim.But if they remade them I would!!!

[techfx]

It would be cool if they made a version that fit on say a 5 or 6 inch rim that would work with current 5 bolt setups.

[liflod]

The Argo Frontier tire is as close as your going to find to the old style balloon tire. Even though people think the Argo tires are fragile, they are still more durable than the balloon tires.

[AndyL]

i was thinking of all these ideas mentioned. i wonder what all is involved to create a tire like this to get a better ride and still be durale enough for a 6x6...

[eddieb1965]

Techfx,You are thinking right ,a little smaller wheel and the same tire height would be close.I think as long as there is a good bead rolled or welded into the wheel you would still be able to hold the bead,and it would be demountable and still ride better.

[jpswift1]

You could run a Carlisle Chevron which has the exact same tread design as the old balloon tires, or you could run a Goodyear Runamuck, which is very similar as well.

[Amphiman1]

Balloon tires...

Maybe someday soon ,a guy in fla. will be making new ones,,hint hint..

[AndyL]

haha wouldn't be a bad idea! i like thinking of projects like this...but i'm also trying to think of how to implement the 5-bolt pattern then they can be used on all the newer amphibs too! maybe if something can be done recreatives and ODG and the others may offer them on their units new!

[turvuren]

light tires

it's worth noting that these tires were much lighter which led to better performance and less stess on drivetrain. I have several sets of tires and really like my 20x7x8's.

[AndyL]

i know this is a weird size but what about a 23" or 24" balloon so it can fit on vehicles with 21" rawhides. like the max II can take 24" tires...so anything between 21-24 would work, and the bigger size, the more ground clearance and large walls for a softer ride

[Amphiman1]

balloons

I meant Rick in Miami.......to make tires,,,

[6X6]

i know this is a weird size but what about a 23" or 24" balloon so it can fit on vehicles with 21" rawhides. like the max II can take 24" tires...so anything between 21-24 would work, and the bigger size, the more ground clearance and large walls for a softer ride

Us Attex guys unfortunately cannot use a tire that big 21" is a nice fit and 22" is tight. I don't know what the limits of the various machines are out there, but I would think it would be nice for them to work on the various vintage machines that had them as OEM. Of course, IF multiple sizes could be offered

[LarryW]

I have a set of the originals and they are a blast to use them in the snow. I took them off though for fear of ruinning them.

[charlevoixboy]

I always thought of a tire on a removable 3 inch rim would be a good replacement for the balloons.