Date:         Mon, 10 Mar 2003 19:48:40 -0500
Reply-To:     JonR <jon.hathaway@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         JonR <jon.hathaway@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Re: Simple tire qurestion
Comments: To: David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

David Brodbeck wrote:

> mark drillock wrote:
>
> >I've never seen a 14" tire with true 6 ply sidewall. I think you are
> >confused. No 4 ply sidewalls either. 1 ply is typical, 2 plies on some
> >higher pressure tires and a 3 ply in a load D maybe.
> >
> >My Bridgestone load D, 8 ply rated, have only 2 plies in the sidewall. 3
> >in the tread. 185R14.
> >
> >
> I think "real" six-ply tires went out with bias-ply tires.  Radials use
> a different construction, that's why a "six ply rated" tire doesn't
> really have six plies, but can still carry the same weight a six-ply
> bias ply tire could have.

The Capitol brand 185R-14 D load range tires are 6 ply   2 ply nylon in the
sidewall, 2 ply polyester +2 ply steel in the tread... rated at 1875 lbs. @
65 psi

I just bought a set of these mounted and balanced for $288 for 4 in sales tax
free NH...

David is basically correct in saying that Bias ply tires were really 6 ply...

Originally all pneumatic tires had cotton belts (or plys).  These were laid
across the carcass on a bias (at an angle).

With the advent of radial tires the plys were laid around the circumference
of the carcass.

By using new stronger materials such as steel, nylon. or polyester they could
improve the strength and at the same time reduce weight.

                            JonR

                NH area LiMBO rep