I know I'm late to the convo, but ...
*somebody* has to stick for those poor, maligned bias ply tares. My truck (the '49 3804) is on it's third set of bias plies. Still had the ones it came from the factory with when I assumed ownership. I figured 5 decades was enough so I promptly put a new set on and replaced those about 7 years ago. Tubes, flaps (some of you were calling them "boots") 3-piece rims, even Huck brakes (gasp!!) the whole horrible smorgasboard of antiquated technology that should have killed me 20 years ago but yet ... here I am. I actually have far more issues with the radials around here than the bias plies (I do have tubed radials on the '72 IH)
Over the last 20 years, I have had zero (as in none) problems with my bias plies. I have no issues with highway cruising (I have a 261 and 4.11 gearing back aft). Yes, the truck can be a handful crossing railroad tracks, pot holes, etc. That time chasing Sweet to Billy Marlow's at 72 MPH, I scared the snot out of myself when we hit rough bridge joints going by Ft Meade. I just dropped back to 65 and enjoyed the rest of my day. Part of the charm of driving an old truck for me.
I have no doubt that radials will be the next set of tires. But in the meantime, my BPs are doing just fine. I haven't even needed to add air yet this year. I may be the lone voice in the wilderness, but I just thought BP's needed a friend.
And later today, when I go down the Mountain to Scottsboro, *IF* I have a blow out (which will most likely result in my death due to the roads around here ...) then you can think to yourself "What a moron." Well... you will not have been the first one to call me that
