I have been doing some searching for 16.5 tires...don't really want to buy 16 rims in addition to new tires!  I found that Bandag has re-treads in both 8x16.5 (probably too small since originals were 8.25) and 8.75's.  Here is the description:

Bandag RV Tires (from Service Tire Distribution)

Metromax? Rib
The MetroMax Rib is the application-specific replacement for the Brawny Rib. It is designed for all-wheel positions in light commercial applications that deal with severe inner city driving conditions as well as highway usage. Radial Only
Tire Size   Tread Depth   Configuration
8.75R16.5   16/32   Commercial/Recreational
Tread Rating
Tread Wear   Wet Traction   Snow Traction   Ice Traction   Rolling Resistance   Appearance
A    B    B    A    B    B

As a former over the road trucker I do not trust recaps at all. Most of the strips of rubber you see going down the road come from recaps. FYI it is illegal to even put recap tires on the steer axle in commercial applications. I personally have blown several recaps in my short 5 year trucking venture. if you want recaps go for it. You are safer and money ahead to get virgin tires. There is no way I am putting sub par tires on any vehicle any member of my family is riding in.

I found that Firestone  still makes an 8.75/16.5  They say they will ship them to youi for $168  and change

Hi guys, I can still get the 8.75 tires at My Pep Boys"

87.00 ea

I tried buying tires at Pep Boys and had no luck at all.I was told that they don't carry or even have a listing for any 16.5 tires.I then inquired if they could be ordered and was told a flat no that 16.5 tires were not available,so don't count on tires at Pep Boys,especially at $87.Most places don,t even list them.Les Schwab was the only place that had them in stock,but price was more like $180 per tire out the door.  Bob

Has anyone found 16 inch rims that fit? I have 16 tires ready to go on but cant find rims.

I have heard that this is the place to get new "coined" wheels.  http://www.southwestwheel.com/  From what I can tell about $100 each...so $600 or so.  That is why I am despirate to find 8.75 tires...don't want to have a $1200-$2000 cost for tires and wheels. 

Jon...I knew that was Bandags rep in the past, but hoped their product had improved...they are associated with Bridgestone now.  My OTR situtation is differrent than most AC folks...two 200 mile trips per year...no kids on board...to and from a single property. 

My tire guy told me that Firestone was going to do a production run of 16.5s in November of this year - they should be in stores very soon - if not now.

I found 8.75 X 16.5 Tires a Big-O

I did some more searching:

Tire Rack: Firestone Transforce HT

Tiresavings.com: Firestone Transforce HT, Sigma, and ChengShin

I have been running the Transforce tires two years now. I like them and they are wearing well. I think Firestone is the only name brand out there making 16.5's.  Is Goodyear still making them? I put balancing beads inside of mine when I mounted them in lieu of lead weights on the rim. So far so good. I also added premium valve stem caps, the ones with the rubber O-ring that seal to the top of the valve stem. I have had no leaks and added no air in two years---knock on wood---

JerryT

no air in two years?!!!!!!!
are you serious? - I find that almost impossible to believe - but I know you would not bs anyone here

I need to get me some of the premium valve stems when I get my new tires!

Hi Horst

Yes two years now, sometimes you get lucky but I did some extra work also. If you think about it a tire does not leak unless it has a hole in it or air can get by the rim or valve stem. A good friend turned me on to a product called "Security Coat" He taught me to use it when I had a rusty rim bead, when installing a valve stem or had a tire that I never wanted to loose air. The product is a grey rubbery liquid that air dries black. I paint it on my rim and tire beads and also my valve stems before I install them. I have used it on pitted beads in alloy wheels also with 100% success. If I have a slow leaking alloy wheel many times the rubber valve stem has lost it's seal to the rim so we pull in new ones with the security coat on them and solve the problem. Tire/rim sealing has become such a problem that the Feds have mandated pressure warning systems in all new cars and light trucks. It makes you wonder if it is a material incompatibility problem or if it's related to the nut that holds the steering wheel . My friend had semi trucks and loaders and always kept this stuff around. I do not know what it's true use is so I went to the web site.

http://www.techtirerepairs.com/Catalog/itemdetail.aspx?itemnum=738&salessubgroup=MC060

http://www.techtirerepairs.com/_assets/documents/Tech_International_Catalog_20050810.pdf

I still don't know but I know that it works for me and others in our area. I also use the truck style bolt in valve stems in my Clipper along with premium valve extensions with the sealing caps. I made it easy to check the air in all seven tires so I would do it, if it was a PITA I knew I would skip it and be sorry.

When I looked thru Tech's catalogue I saw all the products that I used and many that I didn't know even existed
If anyone has any info on this stuff jump in here.

JerryT

hI THERE jERRY, i AGREE WITH YOU ON THOSE Valve stems!!!

I think I am going on four and a half yr.  Or 5 and a half.

The trucker style is great as you say!!!

John

Hi John

Yes, when you get them to seal it's a wonderful thing. I have a friend with a 62 Olds and he claims it has factory (Lansing) air in the spare!

JerryT