Geoff Weeks

I went the other way and had a rim from 1947 on my '83 cabover for a while. If it was sound, I ran it. I've seen some much newer rims I wouldn't touch.

It is very common misconception, and one reason I avoided running caps on steer, because the confusion extends to some DOT inspectors. I at one time, had a paper that addressed that for inspectors that I carried with the truck. Police can write a ticket for anything, that doesn't make it true or correct! To be honest, I only had caps on the steer for one trip. The new steer tires didn't come in and I had to make a run. Took it from the midwest to the west coast and back with caps on the steer. When I got back the new steer tire had come in the the caps were rotated to the drives. The caps in the above tread design came in two depths, one for trailer shallow, and one for all other positions. Mine were "deep" tread.

My bad, I forgot I changed capper, when I moved Michelin XZE tread. Tire is a 10Rx20

You can get caps in many tread designs. I used to get them in "goodyear 159" type rib tread, that I ran in all positions. I didn't run "lugs" on the drives. If I remember I'll take a picture on the brand new caps on the rear of my Marmon with 0 miles. The weight limit on re-grooved only applied to steer position. Drive and trailer could be used to the full weight rating of the tire. Re grooved on steering is limited to somewhere around 4K lbs (I don't remember the exact figure) but for just about all purposes, a re-grooveable tire, would fall above that limit when on a steer axle. I guess maybe my K front axle is under that empty, not sure loaded. The "Pumpkin" likely was putting them on trailers, where they could take 6K each tire.

I find that very hard to believe! Show me in writing where your insurance company says that! J.C. has posted the federal regs straight from the book, N.J. couldn't have restrictions that the feds don't and receive hiway funds. It is why STAA rules are in place that standardize loads and equipment nation wide for trucks. Regrooved tires is another story. they are illegal over a set weight. Show me the citation or it is just another truckers story! "I heard" but didn't happen to me". There are plenty of reasons why a truck could be "downed" and need things changed on the front axle, and I can see a guy not wanting to admit to poor maintenance and make up a story about caps, but I would have to see it in writing to believe it. It is also possible the inspector doesn't know his job, but that should be sorted out in court.

Paul, I would order those tires you posted. The Mfg own website lists them as TT or tube type.

If you look at the regulation in the "green book" or the stuff J.C posted doesn't make a distinction between school buses and other buses. In my Green Book of the Federal Regulation, it uses the term "Passenger Carrying Vehicle.

Not exactly, the spokes force the rim out and that is countered by the solid lock ring, holding it from expanding. To dismount, you have to remove deflate (or deflate and remove) break the bead, place on a block near the split, then you put a rim tool into the slot, and pry the rim in under itself, pealing it away from the tire. When mounting, the safest is to air up after mounting to the spoke, the spoke will expand the rim, bringing the ends into alignment and holding until air pressure can hold it. I have a bunch on my K's, I still prefer split lock ring style, but I restored a bunch and mounted tires on. It was hard to find lock-ring style in narrow enough width.

That is an extremely common one and many police inspectors get it wrong. It was something at the CVSA class the instructor harped on. It only applies to buses. The old Goodyear rim that splits along the valve stem slot is another rim that most young inspectors get wrong. The claim the rim is cracked all the way through! Ok, what is holding then?

I have many "tire shops" say multi-piece rims are "Illegal" I always correct them, They are not Illegal, you may refuse to work on if you chose, but that isn't the same thing, Be honest about what you are doing. Not even the Firestone RH 5 deg (widowmaker) is illegal, it and all multi-piece rims/wheels were "recommended" to be made Illegal by the Insurance Institute, and insurance trade group, but they have no standing to make law. The Firestone is the only one I don't like to do. There is no good way to be sure it is going to stay together after all these years. The way they latch together is also where the most rust and weakening takes place.

Heard that also, I just laugh at them,

Yes they are!

I've even heard people say "Spokes on the steer are illegal"!

Re grooving went away, because once you re-groove you can't re-cap. Cap gets more extra miles out of the casing than you'll get re-grooving. also re grooved are not allowed on steers, caps are (trucks not buses)

wondering how you ever made out with your tire dilemma?