Blew a steer tire, new tire questions.

[Mr.green]

Yowsers! Had the family packed in the crew cab dually on the way to the in-laws today when the truck started having a weird vibration, slowed down to 45 and bang! Drivers side steer tire blew and we headed into on coming traffic. Man handled back into my lane an off the state highway into the ditch. Blew the side wall, peeled the tread off and pulled the back part of the inner fender well up an into the remains of the tire.

I was able to beat the fender well back with a 3lb sledge and put the 36 year old spare on, after digging down for clearance and limped her home.

I will be replacing both steer tires now. Here is my question.

The SPID calls for a ZPF and XPF 7.5x16/D tube highw. The rims are original firestones.

Seems all 6 tires have tubes in them.

What size is a 7.5x16 and are the tubes still needed?

Still got a few skid marks in my shorts to clean up.

[geezer#99]

Look on tirerack. Yokohama make a 7.5 R16. Pricey though.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes
If you check the specs for them and want the same height tires in a metric equivalent you'll need a 235 85R 16. Search in that size and you'll find some way cheaper.
You need the tubes for the Yoko's. I'm not sure if you need tubes for the metric ones. The tirerack guys will tell you.

[Mr.green]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Look on tirerack. Yokohama make a 7.5 R16. Pricey though.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes
If you check the specs for them and want the same height tires in a metric equivalent you'll need a 235 85R 16. Search in that size and you'll find some way cheaper.
You need the tubes for the Yoko's. I'm not sure if you need tubes for the metric ones. The tirerack guys will tell you.

Ok, that is the size tire that is on it now, the 235 85R 16 radials. I wonder why someone still put tubes in them? Does the rim require it, or was it just that old type of tire?

[geezer#99]

I've heard the rim needs it. They don't have a raised ridge to keep the bead in place.
Not absolutely positive on that though.