What is bias ply?
A bias ply tire has its plies in a crisscross pattern as they overlap each other. So, one ply will lay in one diagonal (between 30- and 40-degrees from the direction of travel) while the other will lay in the opposite direction and would make an “X” if you were able to see through them.
What’s the difference between bias ply and radial?
A radial trailer tire is constructed with steel belts of the tire running at a 90 degree angle of the tread center line. A bias ply trailer tire is constructed with nylon belts of the tire running at a 30-45 degree angle of the tread center line.
How are bias ply tires constructed?
A bias-ply tire is made of layers of rubber-coated, criss-crossed plies of fabric placed at angles of approximately 30 degrees. Then several rubber-coated steel plies make up steel belts that are placed under the tread to stabilize the crown. These belts resist cuts and punctures.
What is a bias belted tire?
Definition of bias-belted tire : a pneumatic tire with a belt (as of steel or fiberglass) to help prevent punctures that is under the tread and on top of the plies of cords which form the tire’s carcass and which are set diagonally to the center line of the tread.
Who uses bias ply tires?
Uses for Bias Ply Tires
- Large drag racing tires (Slicks)
- Large off-road tires.
- Some trailer tires.
- Some farm machinery and construction equipment.
- “Period Correct” vehicle restoration (Pre-1976)
Can you plug a bias ply tire?
A puncture with a bias ply tire will most likely stay small, so it can be temporarily repaired with plugs out in the woods until a proper repair can be made. These tears can happen in the tread face as well, rendering a radial tire unrepairable when a bias ply could be repaired and returned to service.
Can I run bias ply tires on a highway?
Basically bias ply trailer tires are seen more often on agricultural and off-road applications but they still work well on pavement. Radial tires track better and run cooler than bias ply tires and are best suited for highway use.
Can a bias ply tire be plugged?
Can you run radial bias tires?
While it is not recommended that you not mix radials and bias-ply tires on the same vehicle, some do in race applications. If you so choose, be certain that the radial tires are placed on the rear axle, and the bias-plys on the front.