My switch from bias Ply to Radial

[thinder]

I just wanted to share my experience and reasoning for switching from the orginal 7.00-15st Bias ply to 225/75 D15 radial.

We bought our 86 31' Excella in the summer of 2014. It had a set of Highway master 7.00-15st manufactuered in the 48 week of 2013. We had a blowout that tore the fender and went to discount tire to see if we could get a replacement. we ended up with two Carlisle 205/90 d15 bias ply trailer tires on the curbside. The rear blew out again two trips later (approx. 4 months later). I attributed this to low tire pressure and building up heat. Has it replaced at discount under warrantee and ran my tire press up to max cold.

Fast forward 6 months to yesterday. I was packing up to come home and find a bubble on the sidewall on the driver side highway master from 2013. I find a NTB that's open and get a 225/75 d15 RADIAL just to get me home.

When we arrive I'm dropping the chocks in and notice I can feel heat radiating heat. I get the laser thermometer and check temps. The 3 remaining Bias plys are all hot. The highway master is 120 degrees and the Carlisle is 130 degrees. I Check the radial and its 98 degrees. And I know the Carlisles were at max cold press when I left.

That convinced me that bias ply is not worth messing with. The trailer is back at Discount getting Goodyear Radial E rated trailer tires right now. It also convinced me to get a spare tire!

[slowmover]

The demand isn't there any more for roadgoing bias style.

In 7R-15 I had good luck with Yokohama RY215.

[TxDave]

I'm facing the same situation with my 1971 Sovereign. I was under the impression that the wheels with the 7.00-15 tires were 5.5" wide. I thought the 225/75 R 15 tires required a 6" wide wheel. Did you have to replace your wheels?

[thinder]

Originally Posted by TxDave

I'm facing the same situation with my 1971 Sovereign. I was under the impression that the wheels with the 7.00-15 tires were 5.5" wide. I thought the 225/75 R 15 tires required a 6" wide wheel. Did you have to replace your wheels?

No, I didn't have to replace wheels. There is a width range that the radials will work with. I guess mine were ok.