Radial tire tubes.

nebrfox

nebrfox

Junior Member
Whats the opinion on using tubes in radial tires. Coker says use tubes and Black Diamond says no tubes. Any pros and cons?
 
I have Michillen 16in, tube type radials on my Model A with 40 Ford rims. I cain't remember why, I think they were surposed have tubes. Walt
 
Running Coker radials on my 36, no tubes. The inside of RIMS were in very good condition, paint looked like new. I took Vic's advice and have ran them with no Problems.
 
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BTW. the radial tubes are differant that none radials, regular tubes will wear a hole through the side if used in a radial tire. Walt
 
nebrfox said:
Whats the opinion on using tubes in radial tires. Coker says use tubes and Black Diamond says no tubes. Any pros and cons?
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Diamond Back (not Black Diamond) sells only tubeless radials, while most/all 16" radials from Coker are listed as tube-type tires. Do some research on what can happen when tube-type tires are run without tubes.
 
I have run diamond back's radials with no tubes on my 36 rims for 3 years now with no trouble. They told me to put silicon caulk on the rivets on the inside of the wheel which I did. Terry
 
With Bruce on the no tubes. Running Coker 6.00x16 WW radials on my '47 and noticeable improvement in ride and handling over original bias ply. Rims seal perfectly.

Dick.
 
Not sure if tubeless rims were standard in 1952 but when I brought the Mercury out of retirement I cleaned up the original rims and put on a set of well used radial tubeless tires I had in inventory. Took a lot of rust off the inside of those rims but they seem to be holding air just fine now.
 
Just bought the Coker Tubes and going to install soon. I just want to be on the safe side and not get caught somewhere with a flat tire. I'll only buy them once I think !
 
The primary deciding factor in tube type vs.tubeless is the type of rubber compound that is used in the manufacture for the inner layer of rubber, known as the liner. Not to be confused with the flap, which a separate piece of the assembly used to prevent the rim chaffing the belly of the tube.

The tubeless designed tire uses a non-migratory rubber compound that will contain the air molecules, where as a true tube type tire's liner material is porous, in order to allow any air between the tube and liner to vent out.

The main benefit to running tubeless is that the tubeless liner will actually seal around a small penetration (nail), where with the tube being the air container, the smallest pentration will result in an instant flat.

The secondary benefit is that the tubeless tire runs a lot cooler than the tube type tire. The heat is generated by the constant flex movement of the liner against the tube, or vice versa. Heat buildup contributes to tube failure, casing separation and faster wear rate.

If you elect to run tubes, use a radial designated tube, regardless of the tire's construction. It should have heavier gauge rubber, stronger splices, and a reinforced, heavier based stem.
 
I just figured that if the maker of the tire (Coker in my case) said that the tires are tube-type, then I better use a tube. The radials that I bought (5.50R19) actually say "tube-type" molded into the sidewall.
 
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