Solid Tire Demountables

LLCoolT

LLCoolT

New member
Hello, all. First-time T owner and Ford Barn n00b here.

My T is an Express Truck that came with solid (well, not solid, but non-pneumatic) tires on 30x3-1/2 demountables. They are in bad shape - rotted through in the center and hard as rocks. Apparently, the solid tires had a special demountable rim. It is not a clincher type and has grooves in it to hold the tire when it was vulcanized to the rim. Does anyone have any experience with these tires? I called Coker to inquire about getting new solids, and they want $175/inch of tire! Does anyone know another supplier that is more reasonable?

Thanks for the help.
 
I do not know about the Michigan laws but here in California the legal speed limit on solid tires is 15 MPH. Unenforced as the high wheelers on tours often exceed that. They none the less have poor traction ( make that braking) at higher speeds.
Perhaps your best solution is go to pneumatics and keep the solids for show/history.
Just a fun note--years ago we ran some solids on a Model T and found that beer cans were a hazard! When you ran over one it would crimp around the tire and not let go.
 
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You might try a local company that supplies lift truck tires. Many indoor lift trucks run solid tires vulcanized to a rim that presses on to the wheels. They may be able to apply new rubber to yours.

Layden is correct on the speed. I have a 1920 Paige truck with solid tires & there is an original brass plate on the dash that reads " Exceeding 15 mph is not only dangerous but it will void your waranty!"
 
Back in the late 40's when I first started driving my '14, (I was kinda young then) we had some solid inserts (in place of the tube) and that was somethin' else. First, very difficult to install on clincher rim, and then go too fast around a corner and they had a habit of peeling off! Used haywire to fix that. Skolzie
 
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