Tubes in tubeless tires?

[Bill Davis]

Flathead,
I have been running radial tires without tubes for almost twenty years and have never had a problem.

If you do this, you will want to purchase a set of brass valve stems for oval hole wheels.  If your wheels
are stock, i believe they have oval holes where the valve stem sticks through the wheel.  Just do an
internet search for "brass oval hole wheel stems".  Good luck.

[Mick54Ply]

Hi,I have two 1954 plymouths and used tubeless radials on both cars. The cars handle and ride better then bias tires. There is no need for tubes. Mick

[32cabrio]

Lindsey makes a key point when asking if they are radial tubes
made specifically for radial tires.

If yours are not, (ie, tubes made
for bias ply tires) they will move around inside the tire and will
eventually damage either the tube itself or the stem resulting in
loss of pressure.

Purchase new radial tubes for radial tires and I think you will have
solved your problem.

Be sure that the wheels and tires are clean on the inside without any
rust or rough spots which could wear problems on the tubes.

[Flathead]

Thanks for replying Lindsay,
I have contacted Cooper customer support. The were quick to pick up the phone. The tech said he saw no reason for the tubes.
I believe I will have the rims gone through at a body shop and go without tubes. But, if anybody else has a different opinion or could contribute more information on the issue I'd be glad to hear it.  My #1 concern is safety.
Thanks again.

[Lindsay McConnell]

Just MY two cents worth.
Not familiar with the 51 years of Plymouth, but 40's are more my focus, but, with that being said I still remember seeing stamped in the sidewall of tires "Tubeless". Obviously, if that is the case on your new tires, then remove them. From 1940 back there could be a tendency that when a tire went flat the tire could also leave the rim! 1941 year the "safety rim" was manufactured to hold the tire on the rim in the case of a blow out...Point I am trying to make is I have seen the use of radials on safety rims without tubes. Also bias plies. I still use tubes in my bias plies and never had an issue. To tell you to remove the tubes and you have bad results would not be good, so, maybe focus on the current tube size. Is it a radial tube? It seems like you have some sort of movement inside the tire. I still have the old "red tubes" in a few of my wheels. Those are older that myself! I am sure the newly made ones have a MUCH shorter lifespan than the originals but certainly should last long than what you are experiencing. Good luck! Let us know how you work this problem out!!!

[Flathead]

Hello out there.  I need some advise. I have a 51 Cranbrook. a few years ago I bout Cooper Trendsetter radials. I have no quarrel with the tires but my local mechanic insisted on putting tubes in them. Since then I have had 3 issues with flat tires because the valve stems broke.  I had full size hubcaps but switched to dog dish because I thought the hubcaps were the cause.  This week it happened again. I was under the impression that the Plymouth came with tubeless tires. I am inclined to take it to a different garage and have the tubes taken out.  Does that sound right or is there a good reason to keep the tubes in them.