Tire troubles
 

Can I have some opinions--

Last fall I bought 6 new 700-20 tires, tubes and flaps from Coker Tire for my '35 1 1/2 ton pick-up. They were professionally installed on good rims with no trouble. Over the past year I've noticed they need air every 3 months- each tire leaks down approx. 10-15 pounds. Have others experienced this?

I thought it was an installation problem or unique to one tire/tube but all 6 are leaking at the same rate of air loss. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks

Re: Tire troubles
 

Bad valve cores in the off-shore tubes? (If they are off-shore). Spit in the of the valve stem to see if they leak........ Mark

Re: Tire troubles
 

Coker's big truck tubes are made in China. The flaps and tires are made in the US. Does anyone know of a source for US big truck tubes?

Re: Tire troubles
 

JM35 Sedan uses tubes from the local agricultural dealer.

Re: Tire troubles
 

There have been problems for years with collector tire tubes leaking. They are leaking between the rubber part and the metal part of the valve stem. Try a very small hose clamp or wrap some baling wire around it and twist it tight with pliers for a temporary fix. Jim in San Jose.

Re: Tire troubles
 

If the problem is in the stem you can replace them with metal stems.

Re: Tire troubles
 

get your tires from wherever you like. But get tubes from you local old time (not chain) tire store and talk to the old guy that owns it He will source them from an industrial /ag supplier.
My opinion

Re: Tire troubles
 

Wow; Seen this before with Offshore tubes. MVPA military folks have been having a 100% failure rate reported. See the ALCAN convoy mostly on gravel roads a few years back. Newc

Re: Tire troubles
 

I got my tires from Coker, tubes from M.E. Miller Tire. No problems so far.

Re: Tire troubles
 

This tube maker claims to be the only one in U.S. and Canada.
http://firestonetubes.com/

Re: Tire troubles
 

Would changing the valve stem work or do you think I need to dismount the tires and change the tubes? The rims are painted and stenciled, and with split rims I don't want to damage the paint! Grrrrrrrrrr

Does Coker warranty these or will they make good on anything?

Re: Tire troubles
 

Try putting in new valve cores first. They are inexpensive and may save you from dismounting the tires.

Re: Tire troubles
 

Good advice, will try new valve stems first.

Does anyone have a particular valve stem or supplier they recommend?

Re: Tire troubles
 

Good question, I did find some made in USA made one's on EBay.

Re: Tire troubles
 

Charlie, please contact Coker about this. They may say you're the first to ever report this (yeah, sure) but maybe not. Too many guys never complain to the vendor, just to everyone else! They can't fix it it they don't know about it. If you don't get any satisfaction, let FireEngine Mike know and he'll email me.

Re: Tire troubles
 

right now Coker says that the metal stem truck tubes are on backorder and won't be back in stock for a month or more?? maybe they know the tubes are junk?

Re: Tire troubles
 

I ordered two 7.00-20 tires, tubes, and flaps before Hershey and my local Coker dealer picked them up. As you might imagine, I am holding off on getting them mounted. I emailed Miller and Firestone today about their tubes. It is really crazy that all six of Fordman487's tires went from 60psi to 40psi within one or two psi over winter (heated storage). We used a digital gauge on the fronts with the same results as my truck gauge. As he says, it has continued since spring.

Re: Tire troubles
 

I too am having air loss with my offshore tubes. I noticed a low one today when I went to drive my 47 into town. It had 20 psi. As I had trouble with this same tire a month ago and replaced the tube with my last budget korean tube, I am getting frustrated. At that time I carefully aired all 4 up to 32. Today I have one at 30, two at 28 and another at 20. That's in one month. I see firestone ag tubes on amazon. Think I will pull the trigger. Fixing flats beside the road is right up there with no fun at all. With our ford rims, is the center mounted valve stem ok, although our wheels have it off center.