Is a Radial Tube Safe in a Radial Tire ?

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RPMagoo

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According to articles, which I have read, it is unsafe to install a regular tube inside of a radial tire. Apparently, radial tubes are available. -- The large Tire Dealers, in My area will not put a tube in a radial tire, period. -- Again, I ask My question, as in the title of this post.
 
I have alwzys been told that so I never tried.

Kinda like sidewall patches.I

I believe the sidewall flex is the issue.
 
Dunno. Didnt think you could buy anything other than a radial tube.
All depends what intended use is for.
Some rims (split or 2 piece) require the use of a tube. Be it a radial or otherwise. Putting a tube in a tire out of necessity is not uncommon, but mainly truck or trailer tires.
 
Oh, a tire shop refusing to install a tube,just looking for tire sales.
 
Think about it. There are tubes made for radial tires. Tire shop says no, we dont tube tires. Option? Well if you gotta roll, you buy a tire.
But my preference- no tube. Heavy truck/implement or off road. Yard beater. Sure.
Ever have to balance tire with a tube. Sometimes it doesent.
 
-- Think about it. There are tubes made for radial tires. Tire shop says no, we dont tube tires. Option? Well if you gotta roll, you buy a tire.
But my preference- no tube. Heavy truck/implement or off road. Yard beater. Sure.
Ever have to balance tire with a tube. Sometimes it doesent. --
-- The reason that I'm interested is that I bought a spare (single) Centerline Auto Drag Wheel. I have 4 others. -- I bought it cheap, because it leaks between the 2 halves. -- I can seal it, but I thought that a tube might be an option. -- It's not a big deal, because, hopefully, I will never use it. -- As far as the Tire Shops are concerned, I would rather believe that They just don't want the possibility of a problem - Lawyers etc. They will install a tube in off-road tires, and trailer tires..
 
My MGB has wire wheels -- tubes are a necessity. All of the wire wheel classic cars run tubes, and if they have radial tires (all the non-trailer-queens), they run radial tubes. Nothing the matter with them, assuming they are the correct size. However, I have noticed tire shops generally don't want anything to do with either wire wheels or tubes. Poor training is my guess.
 
To answer your question, only if the radial tire has a liner that is compatible with a radial tube ( or any tube for that matter )Tires designed for tubes have a special, smooth liner to help eliminate the xtra friction caused by the tire and tube chafing against each other while the tire is flexing. They also use a powder similar to talc to reduce friction. Tubeless tires will have different liner designs depending on manufacturer. Some have a dimpled pattern, some a shallow fin like patern. These liners are not compatible with tubes. Radial tubes are different in that they are made of natural rubber, not synthetic.
 
Tires designed for tubes have a special, smooth liner to help eliminate the xtra friction caused by the tire and tube chafing against each other while the tire is flexing. They also use a powder similar to talc to reduce friction. Tubeless tires will have different liner designs depending on manufacturer. Some have a dimpled pattern, some a shallow fin like patern. These liners are not compatible with tubes. Radial tubes are different in that they are made of natural rubber, not synthetic.

Horse hockey. I was installing radial tubes in tires 30 years ago and did it for a long time. Tire shops around here still do it. Truck tire shops do it every single day to save a tubeless tire that costs 500-1000 dollars a pop. As long as the tube is a radial tube, you're good to go.
 
-- The reason that I'm interested is that I bought a spare (single) Centerline Auto Drag Wheel. I have 4 others. -- I bought it cheap, because it leaks between the 2 halves. -- I can seal it, but I thought that a tube might be an option. -- It's not a big deal, because, hopefully, I will never use it. -- As far as the Tire Shops are concerned, I would rather believe that They just don't want the possibility of a problem - Lawyers etc. They will install a tube in off-road tires, and trailer tires..


I used to have street /strip car with the 2pc bolt together centerlines. before I mounted the tire I just split em apart run a big bead on silicone sealer between the two pieces and ran em tubeless with out a problem.
 
you can seal the centerline with windshield sealer. I run tubes in my 2 Centerlines because the stupid valve hole is eroded so they all leak there. My Cnnterlines are old anyway and say 'Bias Ply Only'right on the hub. Radial Centerlines use a stronger lip to compensate for the sidewall flex and bulge built into a radial tire. Thats off a Centerline web page.
 
I used to have street /strip car with the 2pc bolt together centerlines. before I mounted the tire I just split em apart run a big bead on silicone sealer between the two pieces and ran em tubeless with out a problem.
They were probable Cragar super Tricks or steel SST's as all Centerlines were riveted.
 
-- They were probable Cragar super Tricks or steel SST's as all Centerlines were riveted. --
-- Those rivets are just cosmetic. The Auto Drags are 2 piece - put together in the center, under where the tire is mounted, in other words between the beads. The are sealed with what appears to be clear silicone. -- Just look in the hub center hole, and You'll see the 2 pieces.
Centerline - 2 Pieces.JPG
-- I was wrong, about "just cosmetic". -- See post # 19. --- They still can leak air, in the center, between the beads, and I have a wheel that does leak there.
 
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Dunno, those rivets sure look structural to me. The modular part is the centering ring. Look at the back, they are deformed just like a rivet. IIRC I read how they were made and the 2 halves are in fact riveted together. I see some of the larger ones may be bolted on the back but Im looking at some old *** Chevy II 15X8's and new SBP 15X3's neither have nuts on the back.
 
-- Dunno, those rivets sure look structural to me. The modular part is the centering ring. Look at the back, they are deformed just like a rivet. IIRC I read how they were made and the 2 halves are in fact riveted together. I see some of the larger ones may be bolted on the back but Im looking at some old *** Chevy II 15X8's and new SBP 15X3's neither have nuts on the back. --
-- There are, definitely, 2 different types of Centerline Auto Drags. I have 5 that are definitely Centerline, and they are smooth near the rivets. I have seen the other type and they have a ridge by the rivets, and they are Centerline, also, not copies. -- This was discussed a while ago -- see attached, and note re the Guy Who worked for Centerline.
Real Centerlines Auto Drags getting some looks Note - post #5, and #9.
 
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-- You are correct, Sorry for the confusion.

I agree w/ rrr, I have on occasion put tubes of both types ,in trailer tires that were radials, and never had a problem w/ them . Would I do it on my daily driver, not unless I had no choice.
Around here , tire dealers have always done what I wanted, if they didn`t , I`d find one that did , it`s my $ , if they want it , they`ll do it my way.
 
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Around here , tire dealers have always done what I wanted, if they didn`t , I`d find one that did , it`s my $ , if they want it , they`ll do it my way. --
-- Yep !! -- For this situation, I'll just reseal the rim to avoid the leak, and move on. -- I will continue to use tubes in My off-road equipment, as needed.
 
-- Yep !! -- For this situation, I'll just reseal the rim to avoid the leak, and move on. -- I will continue to use tubes in My off-road equipment, as needed.

I always drill a couple of holes in the radial to keep it from trying to hold air and giving the wrong air press. reading too.
 
According to articles, which I have read, it is unsafe to install a regular tube inside of a radial tire. Apparently, radial tubes are available. -- The large Tire Dealers, in My area will not put a tube in a radial tire, period. -- Again, I ask My question, as in the title of this post.
Just mount the tire yourself and install the tube. Some soap or lube and two pry bars and your set.
 
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