ClassicCar

37 Terraplane#2 · 37 Terraplane#2 June 2009 Posts: 1,659Platinum Member

The stepdown 12 v conversion thread has some VERY unflattering testimony about useing COKER TIRES. Anyone else want to comment for the benifit of all ? What have you got to say COKER TIRES ?---BUD

royer

I never owned any Cokers, but I understand their customer service to be lousy. A couple years ago, my wife wanted to surprise me with WWW for my Jet for Christmas. Not only did they insist on tires that were too large for my car, they were rude to her as well.

Hudson Dave went above and beyond to get her the correct size tires for my Jet (it's an odd sized radial, I can't remember off the top of my head what it is). In addition to looking like a million bucks, those Diamondback radials ride and handle great.

wkitchens

I've never owned any Cokers, but if you want American made, forget it. I haul containers and have made several deliveries to Coker in Chattanooga. Other than being made overseas, I wouldn't like a steel belted radial that has been packed so tight, it's all distorted when they unload them. It probably doesn't hurt the tire, but it sure looks funny all bent like a pretzel. I've had several opportunities to talk with Mr. Coker while delivering there. He's a really nice guy. I got the chance to ask him why nobody makes a 4in wide w/w, and he said the technology to keep the strength in the sidewall hasn't been developed yet. The next container I delivered there had 5 seals on it. Mr. Coker was walking by, as I was cutting all the seals, and I asked him, "With 5 seals, you must have 4in wide w/w radial tires in here?" He just laughed.

37 Terraplane#2 · 37 Terraplane#2 June 2009 Posts: 1,659Platinum Member

wkitchens wrote:

I've never owned any Cokers, but if you want American made, forget it. I haul containers and have made several deliveries to Coker in Chattanooga. Other than being made overseas, I wouldn't like a steel belted radial that has been packed so tight, it's all distorted when they unload them. It probably doesn't hurt the tire, but it sure looks funny all bent like a pretzel. I've had several opportunities to talk with Mr. Coker while delivering there. He's a really nice guy. I got the chance to ask him why nobody makes a 4in wide w/w, and he said the technology to keep the strength in the sidewall hasn't been developed yet. The next container I delivered there had 5 seals on it. Mr. Coker was walking by, as I was cutting all the seals, and I asked him, "With 5 seals, you must have 4in wide w/w radial tires in here?" He just laughed.

Hauled a few tires myself and they have to be loaded right or they get ruined. And being made overseas is not an excuse, hate to admit it but there are a lot of our tires come from there that do not have problems, they have our technology and equipment to do it right , Coker only needs to go over there and crack a few heads .

Dave53-7C

Based on info in the link, it seems that Diamondback just vulcanizes white walls onto tires made by others. Is this all they do or do they actually manufacture a product here in the USA?

http://diamondbacktires.com/why_choose_diamondback.htm

Browniepetersen

I got my first set of Coker Tires about ten years ago for a 1952 Morgan. Problem is that about that time the tire companies stopped making 600X16 wide whitewall tires. I waited almost a year for the tires--and the car sat on blocks till they showed up. Coker purchased the molds and started making the tires while I was waiting. I went down to my local Big "O" Tire store two weeks ago, ordered a set through them of Coker Tires and they were here in three days. "Big O" mounted and ballanced them. I sent in the recall and warrenty and I expect that I am now sitting pretty. My "Big O" team seems to be excited each time I visit (I go there too much?) The manager took me to breakfast last Saturday while they mounted/ballanced my tires. Give me a few years and I will tell you how well they last on a heavy car. They are undersized (but correct) for the 36. The Morgan has 20K miles on the tires and they look almost new... No complaints from me on either account...

Nevada Hudson

Ask Walt about his experience with Coker tires.

37 Terraplane#2 · 37 Terraplane#2 June 2009 Posts: 1,659Platinum Member

Nevada Hudson wrote:

Ask Walt about his experience with Coker tires.

Walt is on the other thread and it is'nt good and 20,000 miles in ten yrs is only 2,000 miles a Year, my car sits on the launch pad for every day use out on the big road , not to the monthly cruise in . Anyone running the Diamondbacks hard ? Cheezze , for the cost we ought to get a first rate tire not patched up junk . BUD

walts garage-53 · walts garage-53 June 2009 Posts: 1,468Platinum Member

Nevada Hudson wrote:

Ask Walt about his experience with Coker tires.

Wait till he tries to run them on the highway on a 100 degree day for 4 hours and at least 50 MPH, if his car can go that fast, then see what he says. Walt.

Browniepetersen

37 Terraplane#2 wrote:

Walt is on the other thread and it is'nt good and 20,000 miles in ten yrs is only 2,000 miles a Year, my car sits on the launch pad for every day use out on the big road , not to the monthly cruise in . Anyone running the Diamondbacks hard ? Cheezze , for the cost we ought to get a first rate tire not patched up junk . BUD

Just a thought. The Morgan was equiped with a Vangard racing engine and over that ten year period it spent 80 percent of its time racing. The longest race was a 400 mile race where we averaged 78.9 mph. The Morgan was known for its "Slider" steering and fast pick up. Normally raced those fancy German cars (356's) and never lost a race to one. They are bias ply tires and not SBR's like you guys run on your stepdowns. But, lets also keep in mind that the tires were black walls and on a very light car. Nothing like Walt drives. I remember one hot summer weekend when I drove the car from my home in Utah to Denver Colorado and back. That was just over 1200 miles in the three days. Once again, I cannot fault those tires on the Morgan. The 60X16 that are on my English Hudson might be a whole new story. My preference would have been six ply tries but they were not available. I have been running a firestone SBR tire on my stepdown. Have had good service.

Thanks,

SamJ

I may be a bit prejudiced because I know Corky Coker and admire the company he and his father built. I believe when they first produced radial wide whites they had no idea that there were guys out there with stepdowns who could and would run all day at 80 across the country. I think they expected them to be used on little cruise nights and show 'n shines. There was a lot of flack on the Internet at the time, and I believe they improved the tires, holding their suppliers feet to the fire. I've had 16" Coker WWW radials on my '40 for several years...they really improve the cars's handling and at shows nobody can believe they're radials...they look like a period tire. When I bought them they were the only game in town for that tire. Oh, and much to my surprise they shipped with "radial" tubes. My Big-O guy mounted mine at no charge 'cause I was a good customer and he liked my car. I'm happy.

37 Terraplane#2 · 37 Terraplane#2 June 2009 Posts: 1,659Platinum Member

SamJ wrote:

I may be a bit prejudiced because I know Corky Coker and admire the company he and his father built. I believe when they first produced radial wide whites they had no idea that there were guys out there with stepdowns who could and would run all day at 80 across the country. I think they expected them to be used on little cruise nights and show 'n shines. There was a lot of flack on the Internet at the time, and I believe they improved the tires, holding their suppliers feet to the fire. I've had 16" Coker WWW radials on my '40 for several years...they really improve the cars's handling and at shows nobody can believe they're radials...they look like a period tire. When I bought them they were the only game in town for that tire. Oh, and much to my surprise they shipped with "radial" tubes. My Big-O guy mounted mine at no charge 'cause I was a good customer and he liked my car. I'm happy.

OK SAM, how about getting Corky on here to tell us what he has done to correct things and how good his warranty is . ---BUD

Richard E.

I drove my '50C6 from San Diego to the Nashville National on bias ply tires and it scared me to death. Although I only had one flat. When I got back I ordered a set of Coker WWW radials. A few of the tires developed a pucker next to the rim, I took them back and they replaced all 5 no questions asked. I have had them on the car ever since. Drove SD to the Seattle meet, back & forth to Reno 3 or 4 times, SD to Mesa for the Regional, All CA meet each year and also the Laughlin Economy run. I probably have 15,000 miles of 70mph highway driving on them and they still look brand new. Never have had a problem. That is my experience with them on a stepdown Hudson!

terraplane8

I have got two new Indian MRS brand 'Twintread' 8 ply bias light truck tyres on the front of my '36H8 and the steering and handling is fine. I have also got them on my '36T.

They are a big 600-16 with a radius almost as big as a 650-16.

They were cheap and available but perform surpisingly well including cornering. I wouldn't think it necessary to go for radials. Low speed steering is nice and light too. They did perform better with higher tyre pressure around 36lbs.

Ken U-Tx

My experience with Coker WW radials was NOT good, need I say more? At about 3,000 miles, the right rear developed a vibration at highway speeds. After pulling over to investigate, I took the rear skirt off and there was a small bulge. I attempted to continue at low speed to a shop. The bulge continued to grow each block, and I went slower and slower till the car was rising and falling in the back about 7". I stopped, got out, and looked at the tire, and with that football sized bulge, it was a good thing I had pulled the skirt off earlier, the bulge would have mangled the skirt and the rocker/ rocker extension. As the car was sitting, there was a loud "BANG", and then the tire went flat........had to change to the old spare and finish the short distance to the tire shop. Put a set of reasonably priced 225/75's on, as I didn't trust the rest of the Cokers to hold up. I know several other HET'ers that had similar unpleasant experiences with the Cokers. If I do get another set of WW radials, it will probably be Diamondbacks, as Press Kale told me good things about them, including easier steering due to narrower tire footprint.

PAULARGETYPE

I'VE HAD GREAT SUCESS WITH COKER bias ply tires ON MT 50 PACEMAKER CV THERE 6 YEARS OLD NOW I BOUGHT THEM IN 2003 AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY TROUBLE AT ALL WITH OVER 15,000 MILES ON THEM I ordered a set of Coker WWW radials FOR THE 57 HOLLYWOOD TO GO TO THE HUDSON NATIONAL MEET IN NASHVILLE TN. WITH OUT ANY PROBLEMS UNTILL LAST YEAR THE RIGHT REAR GOT A BUBBLE ON IT BUT WAS STILL DRIVEN 100 MILES AT SPEED WITH OUT ANY PROBLEMS I HAVE CHANGED THEM THIS SPRING OUR SON PLANS ON DRIVEING IT TO THIS YEARS NATIONAL MEET I DID NOT BUY RADIALS THIS TIME I OPED FOR 800 X14 bias ply tires I DID NOT BUY COKERS BUT IT WAS PRICE THAT MADE ME CHANGE BRANDS

37 Terraplane#2 · 37 Terraplane#2 June 2009 Posts: 1,659Platinum Member

Reckon that does it for me guys, some good feeback but FAR too many bad and it only takes one blowout on a steer tire on the big road and you got BIG TIME TROUBLE, I sent COKER TIRE an inquiry about bad tire reports and they haven't bothered to respond , that don't set well with me either . Sure I can get excellant blackwalls but I like the look of wide whites, especially on the 40's and older cars.

BUD

ET8conv

I bought my Coker Classic ww radials(p215/75r15) in June of 1999. The first tire to go bad was the left front with about 19K miles, still had 8/32 tread depth. That tire developed a ply separation and a small split in the side wall. Coker checked the tire & prorated a replacement for me. The next spring I noticed the same split in the side wall. I took them off( 2 rear tires) and took them to Hershey for them to check them out. They told me I should have shipped them to them instead of bringing them to the show as they no longer pro-rate them at a show(bad publicity I suppose). They took them back to the shop & called 2 weeks later, confirmed that the tires had "THE DEFECT", and sent me 2 more tires. I would assume that " THE DEFECT" means that it is a problem that they are well aware of. By the way, no charge for the those 2 tires. The next summer(last year), the last original tire went bad. Called them and they wanted me to ship it to them. I asked if they were paying for shipping, no they would not. I told them I'd see them at Hershey again. Took it to Hershey, and had the same story, they called back & wanted me to pay $28 plus $25 shipping. They finally agreed to cover the shipping, I was trying to get another free tire but not so. I have not been very happy with these tires from the beginning, they don't stay balanced(probably due to the ever changing steel belts or poor construction) I am seriously thinking of getting a set of Diamondback's and taking these to Hershey and dumping them.

Tom Brintnall

DaveFury

I have never had Coker tire, so I cannot give an opinion. However, I have over 26,000 trouble free miles on a set of Diamondbacks on my '58 Plymouth and I plan on purchasing a set from Dave for my '51 as well. The whitewalls are as white as the day I purchased tehm, and they balanced with very little weight.

Richie

37 Terraplane#2 wrote:

The stepdown 12 v conversion thread has some VERY unflattering testimony about useing COKER TIRES. Anyone else want to comment for the benifit of all ? What have you got to say COKER TIRES ?---BUD

I have never owned Coker radials, but bought a set of Coker bias ply tires about 6 years ago and didn't have them long enough to have a failure. I put them on my 47 Plymouth and it was a fight to keep the car on the road. I switch to Cooper Radials and it drove like a dream. Those Cooper tires were on the car until I sold it about 6 months ago. I just bought a 54 Hornet in PA. and drove it 797 miles home with no tire failures (Coker Bias Ply). The only thing that was stressful was trying to keep the car in a straight line. Every seam or uneven pavement caused the car to change direction and you better be ready to correct it immediately. Going through construction areas with lane changes was an adventure, concrete blocks on my right with no room for error with a car or 18 wheeler on my left. You know that the uneven pavement and lane changes seem to be the worst when you are next to the concrete blocks. I will change to Diamondback Radials on the 54 as soon as I'm ready to start driving it regularly, it needs some work for now. Richie.

51hornetA

Any picture of the 54?

Richie

51hornetA wrote:

Any picture of the 54?

Yes 51hornetA, I have a couple and I will post some more tomorrow. It is "ugly" but has potential and I see it as a completed project and will love it.

51hornetA

Looks good to me I am restoring a 54 sedan right now as well. Mine is in 2000 pieces LOL at least you can drive yours.

Hudson Dave

Hi Hudson Fat White Walls Dave here

:eek: . Being in the business I read all the comments closely :rolleyes: the one thing I DID NOT SEE was one bad comment about Diamond Back WWW Radials

Thanks for all the kind words from my satisfied costumers

I will continue to do my best to stay on top of the finest quality, fast and knowledgeable service I can.

To answer the question on does Diamond Back make ther own tires, Diamond Back does not. They use the latest DOT # tires avalable. From the most recognized names in the tire business today. BF Goodrich, Michelin, Multi-Mile, Hankook, Cooper, Firestone and many, many more :eek:. The reason for so many supplers is to get the best tire and tread design for your car or truck.

Different tire manufactures have different tread designs. At Diamond Back it is are goal to find the tread that looks the most like the bias ply your car or truck came with from the factory .

. One nice thing about the Diamond Backs is ther is NO lettering or numbers on the side wall; from 13-14-15-16-17-18 and 20 inch tires to 65-75-80-50-60-70 series tires and most importantly 6 ply rated tires for the older, heaver cars and trucks :eek: . We feel confident that we have your every tire need covered. Thanks for your confidence and trust in me and Diamond Back Tires Hudson Dave

Park_W

I've run two sets of Cokers, on my Hornet ragtopp and the '47 C8 sedan. Have had the typical issues with a couple of belt separations, including a blowout on the '47 just a couple of weeks ago, and their taking a lot of weight to balance. My experience is that Coker won't acknowledge they have a problem, but they do seem willing to replace a bad one at no or little cost. I recently put the newest Cokers on the '47, which we don't drive as much or as fast, threw the older Cokers out and put a set of Dave's Diamondbacks on the Hornet. They took just a typical modest amount of weight to balance, and I've just finished a 500 mile round trip and they're doing fine. You can see them on the Hornet at Pontiac.

RL Chilton

By the way, Richie: Car looks pretty good, have fun with her!

ClassicCar

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion

We'd love to hear from you! info@classiccar.com