Are tubes needed on 16” radial tires
 

Can someone tell me if I need tubes for radial tires. I have 1935 rims and Coker said I don’t need tubes with radial tires. Would I be better off with tubes?
Thanks.

Re: Are tubes needed on 16” radial tires
 

You'll find lots of opinions on this subject. Me personally, I say if your rims are in good shape to seal a tubeless tire...go for it, radial or bias. Its been working for me.

Re: Are tubes needed on 16” radial tires
 

1935 spoke rims will need tubes due to the spokes themselves. Be sure to protect the tubes from the spokes with a band of rubber, or even a couple layers of duct tape will do. Powder the tubes well with talc also, which provides the dry lube required for the tube to position itself during inflation. The correct method is to partially inflate, then release once before full inflation.

Re: Are tubes needed on 16” radial tires
 

Orig 35 wires are welded on the outside on the band so the drop center is smooth unless pitted. I have run tubeless on stock 35 spoke wheels for quite awhile with no issues. If you have Kelsey bent spoke or adjustables you either seal where the spoke penetrates the rim or run tubes. Here are pics and look closely and you can see the tire valve.

Re: Are tubes needed on 16” radial tires
 

31vicky, I have Auburn Diamondback tubeless radials on my stock 1941 steel wheels (not wire wheels) and have had great success running them without tubes. If your wheels are spoke wheels, then I defer to the smart people addressing that feature.

Re: Are tubes needed on 16” radial tires
 

Thank you everyone!
I’ll get them without tubes and if I have any issues I can always add tubes later.

Re: Are tubes needed on 16” radial tires
 

I went tubeless with Diamond Back radials on my stock 1940 rims and worked without any problems.

Re: Are tubes needed on 16” radial tires
 

Thank you!

Re: Are tubes needed on 16” radial tires
 

There are spoked wheels and spoked wheels. As said above, Ford welded spoke wheels leave an uninterrupted rim. They are ideal for running tubeless. Other spoked wheels that have adjustable spokes are a different matter and will probably need a tube and a band to protect the tube.

Re: Are tubes needed on 16” radial tires
 

If you haven't already bought the Cokers, I would recommend you don't. I bought 4 of the Coker Classic 600-16 radial tires years ago and they are horribly out of round and have lots of tread runout. If you're buying a different style, you might be ok. My buddy bought Diamond Backs and they were perfect.

https://www.universaltire.com/600r16...whitewall.html

Re: Are tubes needed on 16” radial tires
 

This defect is caused by operator error, AKA: don'giv'a shit 'cause I work by the hour.

Re: Are tubes needed on 16” radial tires
 

I have had better luck since I stopped using tubes. Today's tubes are really poorly made. I run used radial truck tires and mount them myself and I don't balance them. I know, I know, but the fronts have been on 4 years and the rears 2 1/2 years and I have not needed to add air to any of them. I paid close attention to the inside of my rims and they were attacked with the needle scaler, any pits were filled with epoxy, faired, and then heavily primed and painted. Pictured is a 215 85r 16 Toyo M55, got the pair for 100 bucks but had to pull the studs out, which requires a hot day, blunt screwdriver and and a half a bottle of dawn dish soap. Nobody ever said it was gonna be easy livin' the good life. :)

Re: Are tubes needed on 16” radial tires
 

Agree with GB above, todays tubes are junk. Do not buy one until you need it, they will crack when folded up in storage. It must be hell for vendors trying to keep some in stock

Re: Are tubes needed on 16” radial tires
 

If you want tubes the ones for Farm Implements are thicker and have the larger stem.

Re: Are tubes needed on 16” radial tires
 

If you use a tube in radial tires, they use radial tubes not bias tubes.

Re: Are tubes needed on 16” radial tires
 

Hi I actually have bias ply tires on my 30 coupe running tubeless with the chrome napa grommeted stems for a seal and have had no problems with them.

Re: Are tubes needed on 16” radial tires
 

I love the bolt in napa stems. I keep a fistful of them in my drawer labled 'tire stuff'.

Re: Are tubes needed on 16” radial tires
 

On the early rims that don't have the safety ridge around the circumference, I would tell folks to take care when steering in hair pin curves. Our modern rims all have that feature. I have no tubes in my front tractor tires on the old 56 Ford 850 due to mesquite thorns. I just run sealer in them. I don't drive it faster than 20 mph so I don't have to worry about it much but on a car with no safety rims, just keep that in mind.