215 85 16s

[GB SISSON]

OK, this size tire came stock on dually pickups for many years. Maybe some still do, but I think the newest stuff is 17-18". Anyway your average 28 year old refinery worker making 70 grand a year wants some real meats on his rig, and this size ends up on the used tire auction block.. I have always thought this tall/skinny profile would work nicely on a stock ford rim of our vintage. Last month our local gas station-tire place changed hands and the new owner's insurance would't let them sell used tires out back.... But they could GIVE them away, so I hauled off 4 for a test. I have an old Coates 'tireman' manual tire machine so I took four home and mounted them. What a difference! Yes, steering in a parking lot at a standstill required more effort, but down the road like a dream. Today I had a delivery to the mainland so I went to the used tire place and got 4 really nice ones for 150.00 for all. It was 6:00 pm and 40 degrees when I got home, but I just had to peel off some old tires and mount a couple of the 'new ' ones. Not sure I can divide 150.00 by four but I think a real bargain. I know some (Tinker) will think I sold out on the bias thing ..... Anyhow, just wondering if anybody else here runs the 215 85r 16 tires. P.S., at the Portland Or swapmeet I asked a salesman from a well known vintage tire company about radials for the woodie and he quoted me something like 275.00 a piece.