Bias Ply Tire question...

I'm looking at tires for the front of a 40 Ford, on stock 16X4 wheels. Also, I've done a comprehensive search and also called Coker, and they couldn't give me an answer...
500/525 16's...
http://www.cokertire.com/500-525-16-firestone-2-1-4-whitewall-tire.html

550 16's
http://www.cokertire.com/550-16-firestone-2-1-2-whitewall-tire.html

1. Has anyone used the 500/525's on 4.5 inch rims?

2. Why is the LOAD RATING so much lower on a 550 than a 525? I would think the load rating would be more on a 550...?


Again, the guy at Coker had no idea about the differing load ratings.

 

How many plys?

 

The Coker tire man had no idea about load ratings? Tires are not for toys, they are for real grown up automobiles and trucks AND are a first line safety item. What??

 

4

Yes, all he did was look it up on the site like I did, but he couldn't explain the discrepancy or why the 550's were so much lower than the 500's. I was asking because I thought it might be a mistake on the website.

 

Dan Hay,

Sorry one of our guys didn’t know the answer to your question.

The 500/525-16 tire is a 4 ply tire, the 550-16 is a 4 ply "rated" (only 2 actual plies) tire. That is why you see a difference of 230 lbs of load capacity.

Thanks,

Jess Hoodenpyle
VP Sales and Customer Service
1-800-251-6336
www.cokertire.com

 

Thank you. I went ahead and ordered the 500/525's because of the higher load rating, and the car should sit a little lower too.

 

I glad Jess spoke up,,I was going to suggest you ask to speak to someone else. HRP

 

Yep agreed. Good to know we have some many industry representatives on the board.
Also good to know that Coker has men not afraid to chime in when there is a question concerning them and not being defensive at all. Good business practice and shows maturity.

To the OP,
When speaking with any vendor and the rep doesn't know the answer here is a here is a phrase that you should keep in your aresenol, " Is there anyone there who does?" When spoken politely it will almost always get you where you want to go.

 

beano for Prez...

 

I'll second the motion! HRP

 

Good advice. Even with the miscommunication I'm very pleased with Coker so far. They called me today to confirm my order before it was shipped.

 

I have heard good and bad about Coker mostly the bad comes from people that din't get what they wanted or thought that they wanted. Way more good then bad about them.

There are not a lot of companies that I would say this about but Coker is one company that caters to our business that I would consider asking the advice of the rep for anything that I was working on.

 

maybe he used to work on the Comp cams tech line...