Help! Different sized rear tires... OK?

[outbackrob]

OK, so I have an emergency, sorta. Have 20" Turf Savers on my 86 DS. Today we have a parade and today I find one tire flat. Won't inflate. Driver rear. I have ONE 18" tire I can use. Parade is like 10 miles. Would it be bad to run the rear with two different size tires?

I just don't know these carts well enough yet.....

THANKS!

Rob

[Fairtax4me]

Not exactly good for it in a long term sense. Mismatched tires on the driving axle will cause the differential to be in constant operation which can cause heavy wear.
A few miles in a parade at low speed... probably not going to hurt it, but personally I wouldn’t run it that way.

Are the front tires 20” as well? Any chance you can swap the front tires to the rear to have matched tires on the rear?

[outbackrob]

Originally Posted by Fairtax4me

….A few miles in a parade at low speed... probably not going to hurt it, but personally I wouldn’t run it that way.

Are the front tires 20” as well? Any chance you can swap the front tires to the rear to have matched tires on the rear?

Thanks. That's what I was thinking. Actually, I was hoping someone would say, "No problem! I've been doing that for years!" :-)

They are 20's all the way around. I can put the 18 in the front, but it really pulls hard. If it was regular driving (a blazing 11mph WOT!) it is easier to steer, but at 2-3mph, it is tough to have to constantly "turn". Gotta run all the sirens. bells, whistles, lights and horns one-handed!! ….but better than damaging a 33yo differential.

I will heed your advice one way or the other. THANKS!!

Rob

[Fairtax4me]

Which side is the smaller tire on? I’d think putting it on the right front side would be the best. Let a few pounds of air out of the left side tire, run the right side at 22psi just for the parade.

[Htownblue]

Take air out of larger tire And over inflate the 18. Will help short term

[outbackrob]

I love this group...…..

Thanks for all the help and suggestions! All worked out!!

Rob