How To: Installing 9:00-16 tires on CMP wheels

[Grant Bowker]

One thing that Bob didn't mention was the follow-on.
Knowing we had done a bunch of the STA 10.5-16 chevron pattern tires and the more modern Michelin in the photos with ease I brought the cross tool home intending to mount Michelin LTX M/S in size LT235/85R16 on CMP rims for use on a trailer. I was promptly humbled. Rather than the bead neatly slipping down the rim as all previous had done, the bead went down at the pressure points at the end of the arms but hung up and seemed to retreat inward between the arms. I haven't identified the cause (or solution) yet but have considered the bead diameter being a bit smaller (seems unlikely as all mentioned tires have been designed to fit standard tubeless rims), the bead and sidewall being more flexible (seems believable with the reduction in real plies as opposed to ply rating) tires and rims were inside, warm so perhaps the rims expanded more than the tires with the warmer temperature or perhaps the warmth contributed to increased tire flexibility, maybe I need to be more generous with the snot or maybe the added thickness of tie coat and OD paint on the rim was just too much (again, seems unlikely).