M101a2 Tires with Split Ring / Rim

[LovemyM101A2]

Hello!

One of my tire’s valves is leaking. I’d like to get new tires before heading out to camp in the Nevada desert.

I’ve heard that 235/85/R16 is the size to go with.

I’m in San Bernardino in Southern California.

Questions…

Does anyone know a place in this area that I can have new tires put on (with split ring / rim wheels)?

I doubt that Discount or Wally World will touch them, since they’re dangerous.

Do I need to be worried about having split ring /rim wheels - and how dangerous they are? Should I think about getting new wheels, too?

Would love any advice.

And if you have/had split ring wheels - I’d love to hear your experience.

Thanks!

 

[swbradley1]

That is the first M101A2 I have seen that had that tire/wheel combination. They are locking ring wheels, not split rim.

You could call around and ask shops if they do locking ring rims NOT split rims. Say split rim and I'd venture a guess that most will go running and screaming away. You can do it yourself because they can be safely done at home BUT if it were me I'd want them in a safety cage. Fortunately I never had to change a locking ring tire.

BTW, a normal M101A2 has GM 8-bolt wheels.

Tire experts can weigh in and this is just my opinion.

 

[NDT]

That rim needs to be serviced by a 18 wheeler truck tire shop. They won’t have that size tube on hand either. Suggest you bring new tubes with you for them to install. Takes about 10 minutes per tire.

 

[LovemyM101A2]

Thank you - I appreciate your expertise.

So I need to find an 18 wheeler truck tire shop and bring my own tires and tubes. I have locking ring rims.

 

[juanprado]

Definitely m101 or m101a1 axle.
Probably trailer salad. Very common. That is a m101a2 bed on a m116a1 chassis.
Buy a flap also. Also not commonly stocked unless you go to a specialist.
The tubes also come in different valves. Pay attention to the bend on the 900x16 tube for military or dodge power wagon rims if you use oe tire.
Or a radial tube for your appropriate tire.
They can both start falling apart after 40-50 years...
Don't ask me how I know....

 

[LovemyM101A2]

[

Definitely m101 or m101a1 axle.
Probably trailer salad. Very common. That is a m101a2 bed on a m116a1 chassis.
Buy a flap also. Also not commonly stocked unless you go to a specialist.
The tubes also come in different valves. Pay attention to the bend on the 900x16 tube for military or dodge power wagon rims if you use oe tire.
Or a radial tube for your appropriate tire.
They can both start falling apart after 40-50 years...
Don't ask me how I know....

Hey JuanPrado,
Thank you for sharing your knowledge - much appreciated.
You mentioned "dodge power wagon rims". I'd love to replace the rims.
Are dodge power wagon rims the only known wheel match? Do you happen to know the year?
So, I should be looking for 9.00 x 16" Super 5-lug wheels? Are these unicorn wheels, lol?

 

[jeepin]

Not really "unicorn" in the day the wheel was found on M37, M715, M725 and M101a1 trailers, civilian Power Wagons, and probably other stuff. 50 years later they are harder to find but are out there.
I don't think any of them were drop center rims, I have only ever seen them as lock ring. A truck tire place or a farm tire shop also might be willing to work on these rims, you will have to call around.

 

[juanprado]

There are some one piece aftermarket rims out there but very expensive and scarce.

I think the range is 50-70's on power wagons. I am not as well versed on those.

 

[bigbe5678]

I think you can try a Power Wagon internet site

 

[Tinstar]

If you strike out on the big rig tire shop, most rural town tire shops that deal with a lot of agricultural equipment will be able to handle installing the new tires/tubes/flaps.

 

[LovemyM101A2]

If you strike out on the big rig tire shop, most rural town tire shops that deal with a lot of agricultural equipment will be able to handle installing the new tires/tubes/flaps.

Thank you Tinstar! I appreciate your suggestion. Fingers crossed I think I may have found a place. Taking my flat tire there tomorrow. If they do it, I will be sure to post here - who, where, and how much - in case someone else is looking to do this in Southern California.

 

[JW7tonWY]

Thank you Tinstar! I appreciate your suggestion. Fingers crossed I think I may have found a place. Taking my flat tire there tomorrow. If they do it, I will be sure to post here - who, where, and how much - in case someone else is looking to do this in Southern California.

If you were closer I would offer to swap you axles, I have a m715 and 101a2 trailer with the 8 bolt rims, that don't match my M715 rims I pull the trailer with. Farm and ranch CO-OP is the way to go, Older implements use 16" tires a lot w/tubes and they have the cages and are use to dealing with rims like these.

 

[LovemyM101A2]

If you were closer I would offer to swap you axles, I have a m715 and 101a2 trailer with the 8 bolt rims, that don't match my M715 rims I pull the trailer with. Farm and ranch CO-OP is the way to go, Older implements use 16" tires a lot w/tubes and they have the cages and are use to dealing with rims like these.

Thank you so much!

I was able to get new tires installed so easily- thanks to Pete’s Road Service https://petesrs.com/. They have several locations in Southern California. I took the flat to them, and they installed a new tube, flap, and tire - quickly. As I was leaving they asked if I wanted them to come to my place to install and change out the other tire (so I didn’t have to drive my trailer back to them). I said yes, so they came to me with a cage! The split rims were no big deal to them which was a huge relief. Cost a little more for them to come to me, but was worth it, since I live in the mountains. I’m camping in Nevada later this month, so I was in a rush to get this handled. When I return I plan on getting new wheels/hubs/axle whatever is needed to get rid of the split rims - they told me I didn’t need a new axel, but, I guess we’ll see. They set me up with Tire King RSTs - 235/80/r16. Excellent service - I highly recommend Pete’s!

 

[LovemyM101A2]

Thank you so much!

I was able to get new tires installed so easily- thanks to Pete’s Road Service https://petesrs.com/. They have several locations in Southern California. I took the flat to them, and they installed a new tube, flap, and tire - quickly. As I was leaving they asked if I wanted them to come to my place to install and change out the other tire (so I didn’t have to drive my trailer back to them). I said yes, so they came to me with a cage! The split rims were no big deal to them which was a huge relief. Cost a little more for them to come to me, but was worth it, since I live in the mountains. I’m camping in Nevada later this month, so I was in a rush to get this handled. When I return I plan on getting new wheels/hubs/axle whatever is needed to get rid of the split rims - they told me I didn’t need a new axel, but, I guess we’ll see. They set me up with Tire King RSTs - 235/80/r16. Excellent service - I highly recommend Pete’s!

 

[LovemyM101A2]

If you were closer I would offer to swap you axles, I have a m715 and 101a2 trailer with the 8 bolt rims, that don't match my M715 rims I pull the trailer with. Farm and ranch CO-OP is the way to go, Older implements use 16" tires a lot w/tubes and they have the cages and are use to dealing with rims like these.

Thank you so much!

Was able to get new tubes and tires installed - so easily- thanks to Pete’s Tres and Road Service. Several ocations in Southern California. Took the flat to them, and they set it up quickly. Seemed like the split rims were no big deal to them which was a huge relief. They offered to come to my place with a cage to install the other new tire. Cost a little more for a home visit but was worth it, since - live up in the mountains. Camping in Nevada later this month, needed to rush to get this handled. Next, plan on getting new wheels/hubs/axle to let go of split rims. They installed Tire King RSTs - 235/80/r16. Excellent service - highly recommend Pete’s!

Thank you for all of your help, suggestions, and support.Lucky to have found this group - it’s an amazing resource.