Are Beadlocks necessary?

[NOMADIC_LJ]

Simple answer is, there not needed unless you are a serious rock crawler.

Other point, they are illegal for road use in most states and therefor most tire shops will not install tires on them.

They are a royal PIA to mount (personnal experiance working at an off road shop)

this ^^^^

 

[SWbySWesty]

Thanks guys! Can a 10.5 tire fit on my stock steelies? I'd love to keep em! I was just under the impression that I'd have to. It would save me a few Benjamins to put towards more fun things!

 

[Desolation]

I put mine on OE Ford 15x7" wheels.

 

[Rexsname]

I am using 15x7 wheels for my 33x10.50s. No problems at all. I usually air down to 15lbs but have gone as low as 10. If the wheels you have fit and are not bent or rusty, use 'em. Put that money saved towards something else. (Take your wife to dinner)


REX

 

[SWbySWesty]

Great, thanks guys...so naturally I'm sure you saw this coming:

Which tires do you like the best. BFG AT? BFG MT KM2?

dare I say BFG Baja at $450/tire!!!? (I wish)

 

[Rexsname]

I have had great luck with the BFG ATs for the past several years. A friend of mine that I have much respect for HATES BFG! What do you like the look of, What kind of wheeling do you do in your part of the world?

REX

 

[Martyn]

Great, thanks guys...so naturally I'm sure you saw this coming:

Which tires do you like the best. BFG AT? BFG MT KM2?

dare I say BFG Baja at $450/tire!!!? (I wish)

Again it's a matter of application. All Terrain and Mud Terrain says it all. How aggressive a tread pattern do you require.

Mud Terrain "Krawler-inspired tread design for incredible on-off road performance. Large sidewall lugs add muscle to the sidewall and improve traction in soft soil conditions ".

All Terrain "Aggressive, high-void all-terrain tread design with interlocking tread elements, innovative siping and stabilized tread center".

 

[Root Moose]

BFG is a good tire. IMO they are over priced for what they are. Brand name premium.

I'm interested in the new Goodyear tires and the Toyos. I get the racer discount on Toyo stuff so that'll probably be my next set of tires.

 

[Rexsname]

Yes but we need to consider the OPs size application. There aren't that many 33x10.50/15 tires on the market.


REX

 

[Desolation]

Because of the fact that we were driving in snow for 6-mo this last winter I chose the AT's. Really not a choice because I also have the MT's and they flat suck on ice!

 

[ntsqd]

snip......
Other point, they are illegal for road use in most states and therefor most tire shops will not install tires on them.

Do you have any links to the laws that make them illegal? I've yet to see anything that specifically outlaws them, but it is always possible.

I am using 15x7 wheels for my 33x10.50s. No problems at all. I usually air down to 15lbs but have gone as low as 10. If the wheels you have fit and are not bent or rusty, use 'em. Put that money saved towards something else. (Take your wife to dinner)


REX

Same combo here, only I've never gone below 19 psi or needed to and didn't.

Great, thanks guys...so naturally I'm sure you saw this coming:

Which tires do you like the best. BFG AT? BFG MT KM2?

dare I say BFG Baja at $450/tire!!!? (I wish)

Actually the BFG Baja would be a miserable tire to live with. They are HEAVY. They make Swamper TSL's look like wimpy street tires. If they aren't seriously heavy, then you got some "Projects" and those won't last very long.

I've run both the BFG M/T and the BFG A/T in the 33-10.50 size on my '84 Xcab Yota. The M/T's might have a slight traction advantage at the outer edge of desert off road performance, but they are slightly heavier too. I've yet to have a problem with the A/T's and they roll down the tarmac much less intrusively. The M/T's start off fairly quiet, but 'age' faster than do the A/T's and then they get noisy.

 

[Desolation]

Do you have any links to the laws that make them illegal? I've yet to see anything that specifically outlaws them, but it is always possible.

They can be legal if they are DOT stamped by the manufacturer having met the various standards and have not been modified in any way.
No DOT stamp or "Modified" after the fact, not legal for Highway use.
You can get away with it.
However if you were to be involved in an accident you just might find that your insurance company could deny your policy leaving you hanging in the wind even if you are not otherwise liable.

 

[oz97tj]

They can be legal if they are DOT stamped by the manufacturer having met the various standards and have not been modified in any way.
No DOT stamp or "Modified" after the fact, not legal for Highway use.
You can get away with it.
However if you were to be involved in an accident you just might find that your insurance company could deny your policy leaving you hanging in the wind even if you are not otherwise liable.

A DOT stamp is nothing more than an company stating they meet certain requirments. I have yet to see anything in writing stating they are not legal though.

Yes, if an accident was caused directly from not maintaining your wheels (not checking the torque of the bolts) and a tire came off at highway speeds and caused an accident and killed somebody, you would be liable. Just the same if you willingly drove your vehicle with screwed up steering parts. However, just by having them doesn't make you liable.

The only thing I have actually heard regarding run ins with the law is a few cases in California where it was brought up, but never stuck in court.

Also, pneumatic beadlocks, and two piece wheel beadlocks such as Hutchinson or Hummer H1 don't fall into the above catagorys either. They are %100 percent no questions asked legal.

Either way, we are getting off topic as the OP does not require their use. Pneumatic beadlocks are nice however for expedition purposes if you are in the middle of nowhere and you need to keep moving on a flat because there is still an inner tube that holds air.

 

[Purple People Eater]

Throw the 33x10.50 BFG A/T's on your stock steelies. Be happy with an attractive, capable tire on a wheel that goes well with the lines of your vehicle. Problem solved.

Now I wish I could solve my indecision so easily...

.

 

[IXNAYXJ]

I never take my Jeep offroad; I just like the way beadlocks look.

-----Matt-----