The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Anyone buy tires for their bolt recently?

Hi, I'm trying to price out some tires for my 54 1/2 ton. I can't keep driving around in good conscience on the old bias tires I have on there now. I don't think they are the original tires, but I can tell they are probably older than I am

I'm sure I want to go with newer radials, so I'm looking for some LT215/85R16 tires. I've got a few quotes locally, but I'm having some sticker shock. It also seems like I wouldn't save much by buying them online, especially if you throw in the mounting, balancing, and disposal costs.

I saw a post from a few years ago saying they got tires at about $115/tire complete. Man, if I could get a set put on for under $500 I'd be real happy.

So has anyone bought LT radials for their truck recently? What did you get and how good a deal did you get?

I should also say that I'd like to rule out a majority of the cheaper options simply because the brand names just don't seem to be in the spirit of a classic truck. Maybe no one reads the brand name on blackwall tires, but I can't imagine buying too many sets for this truck, so appearance and image are important factors.

There have been extensive discussions in the past year or so about whether it's good or bad to put modern radials on pre radial wheels. There are strong opinions on both sides. I would recommend you do a search of the forums & spend some time reading so if you decide to put radials on your truck you'll do so knowing there may be some issues arise. BTW even bias ply are expensive. It cost me over $400 to put new bias 6:00x16s on my 38.

As Tiny stated ...just cost me over $600 yesterday to order tires for my Dodge our boat hauler / snow storm machine.
buyin tires today is expensive!
Tim

Yeah, I did a lot of reading here on the bias vs. radial topic. It is clearly one of those "can of worms" topic, just like asking about truck brand vs. store brand tools. I think my wheels are in good shape and I plan to have tubes put inside the radials (I didn't know you could do that until I read a few posts here).

I'm just not sure I'm ready to spend an extra 2-400 bucks for tires just because they have a certain brand name or appearance. I'm open to nice looking tire suggestions if anyone has one to offer.

Have you looked at coker.com?

Have you check the Tirerack.com . You can buy with paying tax and shipping is about $18 to $20 per tire, at least it was for me here in Kansas City. I bought Yokohama brand for my Toyota, all four with shipping was still $100 less then I could get them locally. Joe

Why not buy used?

Because used tires almost killed me!!

I'm tooling down freeway doing about 70, and I get a funny vibration, and then the whole truck ('57 Chevy) goes sideways, which then starts spinning. I end up sliding off the road into a ditch! When I left the road the truck started to feel like it was about to roll over, but it didn't, and I came to a stop a few feet from the fence. I thought I was gonna die!!

Turns out most of the tread on the left rear came off the case of the tire in one long strip. I picked it up! Luckily, one of my buddies Dane happened to be going my way, so he stopped and helped me out. We got it dragged out, and I was able to creep it home.

Want pictures?

Wreck #1

Wreck #2


They were used tires that had no dry rot, gouges, or cracks.

215/85/r16 are pretty stout for a half ton. I haven't seen that size in anything less than a load range C. Maybe try a 225/70r16 or a 225/75/r16. They are pretty common and you should be able to get them for a little less than the 215's.

Tubes in tires not designed for them is bad. It is also against DOT and NHTSA regulations. Yes. there are the so-called "radial tubes", those are not intended for use in tubeless tires. Rather, they are intended for use in tube type radial tires, which are rare these days. The only radial tube type tires I know of are trailer use tires, only used in Europe. I've sen way too many tire failures caused by tubes being run in tubeless tires, and would not suggest it.
As to sizing, the 225/75/16 is quickly becoming obsolete, and the 225/70 is not far behind. We have to special order them as we don't stock them.

Ok Longbox, I didn't see any suggestions for the man. I'm interested also, as I will be needing a set for my 1/2 ton.

Bill, thanks for your comments. So maybe I haven't done enough reading on this matter... I didn't realize the "radial tubes" should only be used for special tube-type radials and that it is against regulations to use them otherwise.

All I want is a set of radial tires that will fit my 54's stock 16 inch wheels. I also thought the 215/85/r16 is the closest approximation to the bias tires I have on there now. Tall and narrow, right? Anything wider (like, say, the 225s) would be too wide for my rim I think.

My plan is to have all my "stuff" in order so I can basically tell the tire guys what I want. I don't think they have the experience that you all have, so I'd like to present them with what I want to do, rather than have them give me "suggestions". I asked some similar questions about tires a while back, but now I'm ready to actually buy something! So thanks for your input.

The 215/85 is very close to the right size, give or take. I know what you mean about the prices, truck tire prices have really shot up in the last couple of years. I have heard the Cooper has a decent tire that size that isn't too bad on price. I really can't say for sure one way or the other, as we sell mostly Michelin, Goodyear, Bridgestone.

I am running 235/75/15 on my 56. As it was an occasional driver at the time I bought store brand radials. Before the "Big D" 5 years ago she made the 80 mile round trip to work 3-4 days a month with a average speed of 65-70. NO REGRETS on newer tires (tubeless radials) even as I pulled her out of my Aunts field after sitting 5 years, https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthread...;Main=59220&Number=429748#Post429748 , they still held air.
Just my .02 but unless you are building a trailer queen brakes & tires need updating.
OUR hides are worth more than a set of tires.
Brad

Greg,

Check the farm/home stores with tire shops outside the city (Orchleins, Tractor Supply, etc). I just picked up rear deep lug 7.5x16 bias plys and had them mounted on mid 80's K2500 rims. At Orchleins the price you see is what you pay, about $110/ea for mine. You can also get bias steers up front which I still have to do. They're a generic brand(probably China) but look like the tire that originally came with the truck. Although I don't use them on blacktop they look great with an aggressive rear tread and are far better than the rotten/square tires that were on it.

Take a look at BFGoodrich Commercial T/A's at Costco. They might be available in your size at Costco. I've always got the best deal there when shopping my other vehicles. Try a local tire shop too, they usually carry or can order bias plys and cheaper radials(usually Power Kings ). Tucker tire on Ebay is another source. I've seen tires for $50/ea in your size. Most major tire chain stores, including Walmart, don't carry a 215/85x16. I'm told it is a rare size now only used on dually pickups.


Happy hunting!


Kyle

RabidScott, that is a sad story. My luck has gone both ways on used tires. Be advised that before tires have the first mile on them, they are used. If I can find used, I'll buy brand-name tires with good tread and casings every time, given a choice. On my heavy road tractors I use recaps wherever I can - safely - and go at least 10% further on capped tires than I do on first-run. On my Stovebolt I am running remanufactured tires on all positions:
[IMG]http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/10257/2280166920096215731S200x200Q85.jpg[/IMG]
These are 236/85R16's, and they work just fine with heavy loads.

Be happy your not buying 7.50-20's / 12 ply tires . I got 7 tires for Toto my 1 1/2 ton ( w/2ton rear end). It ran me $1500 for tires - mounting and tax for the 7 of them . And I was happy as heck I could find tires and someone to mount them on my split rims for that price !Good Luck in your search . ED H

I don't know if a place Called farm and fleet are nation wide but they are pretty big in MN. But I got a full set of tires for my green booger. for mounting disposal everything included I spent 204.25 for a set of Good for a years. I think they are 45,000 mile tires which my truck will never see. I also got a pretty good deal on tires for my 63 MO*** with 2 1/2" white walls I got them for $410 or so

What Manufacturer still makes 7.50 20's????

My 750-20's 12pl. are " Alpha HI-WAY Express Truck Tires " that's what's on my receipt . $198.85 ea. Ed H

GMCnut - you need to go to a heavy truck tire place for 20's, they're trailer tires - 8.25's are more common, but some 7.50's can be ordered

Bill

I got mine from Diamondback Tires in SC (http://www.widewhitewalltires.com). They have great wide whitewalls that worked well on my '50. However, one of the tires had a whitewall go bad after 2000 miles. They gave me a discount on the replacement tire and I kept the old one as a spare.

They are steel belted radials and ride great.

The tires were $174 each

Same here. I had one blow out on me (my fault) and got a replacement quick from them and they gave me a discount to boot!

Good people and good tires, in my experience anyway.

Firestone Deluxe Champion 650-16 bias-ply. Like them a lot. No flat spots overnight but they do 'track' in ruts which most bias-ply tires do.

I have Dunlop Steelmaster 750 x 16 steel radials on the rear of the '40.

Work well and great tyre mileage.

They came as standard fitment on the Toyota Landcruiser pickup here , I got them as the new owner wanted mags on his new truck