This is possibly one of the hottest topics on the SBP. I have a 49 half ton. I ran Cooper 650-16 for years and they finally wore out. All the talk was 'get radials' so I bought a set of Uniroyal
215-85R16. When the dealer saw how narrow my rims were he was very reluctant to install them. He was also concerned about my not having a safety bead. He said the company would not warranty the tires if they were installed on a rim which did not meet the width specs which in this case are 5.5 or 6". He lost a sale and I had no tires.
I tried elsewhere and had the same reaction. So I bought a set of Firestone Deluxe Champion 650-16 bias-ply tires. No trouble installing and unlike the old bias types they don't flat spot overnight. They do follow the ruts in the road however. I like them and would recommend a set of good bias-ply tires but I am not averse to installing radials but on different rims.
Now having said all this that same dealer sold me a set of radials for a 51 half ton I was building for a friend but that was a few years ago. And you will get many comments, both pro and con to using either type of tire on your truck.
in my case I drive about 2000 miles per year and mainly about 40 MPH although on the highway, where I seldom venture - I do 55.
