Crossply tyres (yes..) - but which type to go for?

Jostein

Jostein

0
Hello everyone,

I'm just going wait for a minute or two until the intense and dry laughter has silenced at the back of the room... Thankyou, gents.

Yes, I have decided to go the reverse route, and get crossply tyres fitted to the Highwayman. I know most of you will try to knock some sense into my head and tell me not to be silly, and go for proper modern tyres. But I have made up my mind - and I was born stubborn. :)

The original crossply dimension for the 1500 model is the 6.40 - 15 - 6 ply tyre for commercial vehicles. 6.70 - 15 was an option for the bus and for the 2500 models.

These days, a commercial tyre in 6.40 - 15 seems impossible to get.
The nearest commercial tyre is the 6 ply 6.70 - 15 tyre which is bigger and slightly wider. 3,5 cm bigger diameter and 12mm wider tyre to be specific.

My options are as follows:
The original 6.40 - 15 tyre (4 ply) non-commercial with load index 83 (487 kilograms max load). An AVON tyre retailing at £148 per piece + VAT.
The optional 6.70 - 15 tyre (6 ply) commercial type with load index 98 (750 kilograms max load). A Camac tyre retailing at £99 per piece + VAT.

Indeally, I would like the properties of the latter with the dimensions of the former - but that seems impossible in this day and age. The bigger tyre should be within the limit for rolling circumference and all that jazz.

My head tells me to go for the 6.70 6-ply tyre due to the higher load index (way higher than required) and being a more sturdy tyre - and also cheaper.

My heart wants the 6.40 4-ply tyre in order to maintain the original height of the tyre, avoiding an excessive "on stilts" appearance, as well as maintaining the power (relative power, I mean..) with the original gearing ratio. But the much lower load index could be pushing things a bit as the Highwayman is a tad over 1600 kg dry weight. Add two adults, two kids, lots of bedding, tent(s) and luggage, and 1900 kgs or even 1950kgs will be fast approaching. 4 x 487 = 1948 kilograms max load all in, so pushing the weight limit maybe too far.

I have to be honest. In my world, this is an investment which hurts, and will drain funds properly. It has to be done, so that's ok. But I want to make the right decision, as I will have to live with it for years to come.

Your input, advice, thoughts and comments are welcome and highly appreciated - and frankly - needed.

PLEASE DISCUSS.

Thankyou :)
 
If a tyre is overloaded over long distances ie touring, does it pop or wear out quickly? I would go safety over looks but I don’t know much about tyres sorry.
 
I've never driven a car with cross plies all I know is that every one I know who has reports that they are terrible compared with radials. There are modern tyres out there that look look like cross plies so you will get the look with modern grip (braking ability). If you do go for cross plies then get the best you possibly can and search everywhere for first hand experience - good and bad.
Personally I think you're mad - but what's new;)
 
Panky said:
I've never driven a car with cross plies all I know is that every one I know who has reports that they are terrible compared with radials. There are modern tyres out there that look look like cross plies so you will get the look with modern grip (braking ability). If you do go for cross plies then get the best you possibly can and search everywhere for first hand experience - good and bad.
Personally I think you're mad - but what's new;)
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Thanks Panky. Yes, it takes a mad person to know one.. ;)

To be honest, I've tried to find crossply "lookalikes", but failed. Nobody seem to do these in the required size, hence I'm left with the original. But if you know of places to check, I'll be very interested to know. For your info, I've tries Longstone and Vintagetyres.com and some local Norwegian specialists, and none of them have come up with radial alternatives having the look of crossplies.

As for handling, I know that my dad hated crossplies, and that really is my best (and only) point of sound reference. Then again, he lived through the change and experienced the enormous improvement the radials were over the crossplies. And I'm not disputing that for a second.

My point is more like the Commer Highwayman (in my version at least, with the 1592ccm in original fettle, with a humongous snails' house on the back - which certainly doesn't help..) is not a rapid vehicle in even the modest interpretation of the term, and it handles like sh*t anyway. So I can't really imagine that crossplies will be that much worse as we'll be pottering around at speeds (way) below 50mph anyway.
 
I think cross plys were ‘bouncy’ so better on rough roads. So if you stay under 50 on a Uk road they will be perfect. Belting down a smooth Norsk motorway and you’ll die:):eek:
 
admin said:
http://www.northhantstyres.com/vintage-tyre-search.html
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Cheers, John. I had a look, and did indeed find the "crossply lookalikes", but unfortunately just in the larger 6.70 - 15 size. And a whopping price difference over the original item. Not sure I can afforde them, even. But thanks a lot anyway. Just goes to show that there are always more specialized companies than one normally thinks.. :) And as you would say it, you will always find what you need in Hampshire :D
 
S0updragon said:
I think cross plys were ‘bouncy’ so better on rough roads. So if you stay under 50 on a Uk road they will be perfect. Belting down a smooth Norsk motorway and you’ll die:):eek:
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Norwegian motorways, do they exist? I hadn't noticed.. :D This country is all about hills and sharp bends, and motorways is a foreign word. More or less. :cool:

Thanks for you comment. Think you're right about the "bounciness". Reminded me of driving (bouncing!) along the bumpy roads on the edges of the water reservoirs in East Anglia in the Highwayman. I thought I was about to jump to the moon! On radials. It was ridiculous! :D
 
Jostein said:
Norwegian motorways, do they exist? I hadn't noticed.. :D This country is all about hills and sharp bends, and motorways is a foreign word. More or less. :cool:

Thanks for you comment. Think you're right about the "bounciness". Reminded me of driving (bouncing!) along the bumpy roads on the edges of the water reservoirs in East Anglia in the Highwayman. I thought I was about to jump to the moon! On radials. It was ridiculous! :D
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Too true I can’t really remember a motorway but it was 20 odd yrs ago lol.
 
Hi Jostein, about 10 years ago I acquired Bridgestone radials that are X-PLY look-a-likes and the same size. The tyre fellow said that they were are fitted to Nissan Cabstars and other such small trucks. The only thing is, I don't know if they are still made or available.
As mine still have plenty of tread and are still in good condition I won't be renewing any time soon.
I will see what the specifications are next time I go to the garage and post them up, but I can't guarentee they still available.
 
daytona said:
Hi Jostein, about 10 years ago I acquired Bridgestone radials that are X-PLY look-a-likes and the same size. The tyre fellow said that they were are fitted to Nissan Cabstars and other such small trucks. The only thing is, I don't know if they are still made or available.
As mine still have plenty of tread and are still in good condition I won't be renewing any time soon.
I will see what the specifications are next time I go to the garage and post them up, but I can't guarentee they still available.
Click to expand...
Trev' general advice is to replace tyres, regardless of age or apparent condition, if they are over a certain age - usually 7-8 years although Michelin reckon on 10. https://www.michelin.co.uk/tyres/learn-share/buying-guide/when-should-i-change-my-tyres
 
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