Lucas Tires Don't Cut It

eagle said:
I run 50 lbs in my tires. In small printing along the bead it says maximum PSI 55. Firestone on the front, Universal on the back, Interstate on the spare. In general, running your tires harder will make them last longer (now let the comments roll!). I drive a lot on soft gravel roads and there is less pulling with harder tires.
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My last truck had I think 245\65\16s on it rated as "load range E" and recommended 80PSI for a loaded truck.

Driving around with 80PSI in the tires on an eempty truck MAY have made the tires last longer, but it would have destroyed me and the truck.
 
Blistering comments, gentlemen. Haven't got anything better to do?

Perhaps, a 500 lb payload is all the Lucas 4-ply tires can handle. No problem, that would be why I asked about 6-ply. Several guys have posted that they haul more than 500 lbs without difficulty. Kinda makes sense then for me to investigate the differences.

If you read the post you'd see I've made many trips. And at 500 lbs each. The fun is in using the Model A as opposed to a rental or any other means, surely you get that part. For that matter, Home Depot delivers.

Can't wait to see the "dust-up" when I get the lumber rack together and start trying to figure the ideal set-up for hauling lumber with my 80-year-old truck.

The AA is a great idea! Who wouldn't want a handy-man pulling up to their place in a nicely done old AA? Be good for business and fun to boot.
 
What is the maximum PSI for the Lucas tires? Run them as high a pressure as possible when loaded heavy. An underinflated tire will blow much quicker than running them a bit too high. 32 psi is fine with minimal load. Talk to any trucker...
 
I've been using 40 (+-), but I think you're right, a higher pressure would be better for times when I'm hauling a load. I'll give 50 a try on my next trip.
 
Holy Moly! They're $300 each. I looked up a Lucas tire dealer here in SoCal. I'm going to call them and see what they could recommend. And maybe see if they will give them to me at a reasonable price.
It would be great to replace the ones I have on the rear. I could set those aside for when the fronts wear out.
Thanks
 
Time to put a punctuation point on this odyssey.

As "Eagle" has suggested above, I put 50 psi in the tires and did three loads today. As it turns out the block had gone up 20% over the weekend, but the clerk I'd been working with allowed me to buy 90 more at the sale price provided I take it before her shift ended.
As a result, I made 3 large loads of 30 blocks each. That's probably over 600 lbs. The spring was mashed flat but the tires held up and took the corners properly.

By the way, it was great fun! I just love driving that pickup, and especially when I'm actually making good use of it. Everything about today's driving was great. I love how the engine pulls like a tractor when carrying that load up a hill. It was great to stop and start and putt through the surface streets .. Well, it was just a blast all around. Fortunately, I'll have plenty more of it before the project is complete.
 
BroBrian, good for you for using your truck the way they did in the old days. You're right, it is alot of fun to really put them to work. Keep a few of those blocks aside for extra traction in the snow! Let's see some more pictures of the old rigs that don't get babied!


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Wow, what a shot, and what a truck!
Yeah, start a new thread. "Old But Not Retired," or "80 Years Hard Labor" or something. I'd love to see pics of A's that are still being used.

I won't be picking up any more block for a few days, but I'll post a pic as soon as I do.

BTW, no snow here in SoCal :) Leave that to you in beautiful BC. I ride through there on my motorcycle occasionally. Always loved it!
 
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