Beadlock Benis?

[just eric]

Are there any benefits to running beadlocks on expo rigs?

I have a 2008 FJ that I am building until I can afford a true expo truck (read FJ60/80). I really like the look and increased track width offered by the Trailready BLs but 2k+ is a little hard to shell out for those reasons alone...

If I do get them they will be compatible with my future rig so all won't be lost.

 

[Metcalf]

Yes, I think good bead locks are worth it. Airing down is most likely the single biggest improvement in off-road vehicle performance you can make. The only two products that I recommend currently are....

1- Hutchinson style beadlocks. A true 2-pc wheel with an internal beadlock that holds the inner and outer beads. The H1 version of this wheel in the 8 or 12 bolt version can be re-centered for just about any offset and bolt pattern. The downside to the H1 wheels is the 16.5 rim size which limits tire choices these days. The 'Rockmonster' line of wheels are great IMOO. You can run stupid low air pressure with no fear of loosing beads. You can run air pressure so low that you can ruin tires...watch out.

2- I also like the internal beadlock system by Staun. They are somewhat difficult to install, and I do advise doing it yourself so you know how they function in case you need to repair them. They will not allow as low an air pressure as the hutchinson wheels but you can get down around the 4-5psi range on most tire/wheel combinations before the liner starts to contact the tire.

You can also make a redneck version of these beadlocks by using a low profile tire inside a larger tire. The lo-pro tire has some 3/16" holes drilled in the tread and a tube is added with a retention style tube to the inside of the lo-pro tire. Basically its a tire in a tire. If your thrifty you can do this for less than $100 for all 4 tires

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Some good thoughts here:

Are Beadlocks necessary?
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29742

 

[01tundra]

I've ran Allieds, Stazworks, Stauns, and currently running the TrailReady HD17's. I like the TrailReady's the best out of any wheel I've owned. They're strong as can be, extremely true, and relatively light.

 

[dzzz]

I recently read a post that said beadlocks weren't road legal in B.C. If that's true, why?

 

[ntsqd]

No idea about B.C. or any of our other northern province friends, but I see that comment frequently regarding the States too. So far the only reason that I can see for them not being road legal is that the they lack a DOT compliance stamping.

The fed DOT doesn't approve or disapprove anything. They publish standards that certain vehicle components have to meet. It is up to the mfg's to test for compliance, document the testing, and document the QA/QC to show that subsequent production will still meet the stds.

AFAIK no beadlock company does this.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

No idea about B.C. or any of our other northern province friends, but I see that comment frequently regarding the States too. So far the only reason that I can see for them not being road legal is that the they lack a DOT compliance stamping.

The fed DOT doesn't approve or disapprove anything. They publish standards that certain vehicle components have to meet. It is up to the mfg's to test for compliance, document the testing, and document the QA/QC to show that subsequent production will still meet the stds.

AFAIK no beadlock company does this.

My MRT wheels have DOT stamped right in the wheel. Of course that is because they start with a standard DOT wheel

There are manufactures offering their beadlocks as "DOT Approved", High Impact, Goudy Wheel, AEV, & Rock Monster, maybe others? Of course not 'two piece style' like Stauns don;t mess with the DOT status either.

 

[just eric]

I've ran Allieds, Stazworks, Stauns, and currently running the TrailReady HD17's. I like the TrailReady's the best out of any wheel I've owned. They're strong as can be, extremely true, and relatively light.

Have you experienced any leakage with the TRs? How about minting and or balancing issues? These would be on my DD...

 

[Metcalf]

Hutchinson wheels are marked as with a DOT stamp, and are not modified from another wheel.

I think the Staun system also qualifies since the rim remains unaltered other than a 2nd valve stem hole.

 

[01tundra]

Have you experienced any leakage with the TRs? How about minting and or balancing issues? These would be on my DD...

I've got well over 10k road miles and no telling how many trail miles on them and they've never ever leaked air. My truck is my daily driver as well. I'm running 40" BFG KM2's on it with zero wheel weights and it's perfectly smooth all the way up to 75 MPH, these are the truest and most well-built wheels I've ever owned.

I've also passed countless highway patrol, sheriffs, city cops, etc throughout the 26 states I've had this truck in and none have ever pulled me over to see if my wheels are DOT compliant.......I feel perfectly safe having bead locks on my truck personally.

 

[01tundra]

Hutchinson wheels are marked as with a DOT stamp, and are not modified from another wheel.

I think the Staun system also qualifies since the rim remains unaltered other than a 2nd valve stem hole.

TrailReady HD17's are not a modified rim either, but are also not DOT stamped -

"TrailReady now offers a new Heavy Duty "born as beadlock" one piece Beadlock wheel designed for racing applications but perfect for any application."

http://www.trailready.com/wheels_HD.html

 

[ntsqd]

I think that the primary deal with meeting or not meeting DOT stds might come from the Insurance angle. Knowing about this sort of thing would be a real fringe deal for a normal patrol officer to know about. Perhaps a truck inspection specialist, but a not the usual guy or gal out on the highways.

Metcalf, have you used the Staun internal BL's? A friend is considering them. Based on my friend Rod's experience with them I suggested that he research before jumping. I'd be interested in another experience that I might be able to fwd.

 

[Metcalf]

One my close friends run the Stauns. The concept is pretty old actually, I think it came out of iceland. I have had to do a few repairs on the trail with him. We have both put in our hours as Les Schwab boys so we know our way around a tire pretty well

I like the concept 2nd best compared to the Hutchinson style bead locks. The Stauns have a minimum pressure requirement in the tire. If you run too low of a pressure the tire rubs on the liner. It will eventually ruin the liner and pop the tube. On the 315/75r16 above that is about 4.5psi. Any lower than that and you start to get contact, wear, and holes.

The install has to be pretty meticulous to prevent debris in the tire from putting a hole in the tube. If you get a puncture in the bush you may also put a hole in the bead lock tube.

It is possible to repair the tire and bead lock system in the bush, but I would suggest learning how to do it BEFORE you venture out in the unknown wilds. Breaking the bead is the same as normal, but once your past that you have to be pretty darn careful. I suggest learning to dismount/mount the tire with smaller irons on something clean like a tarp.

One big bonus is that when you remount the tire and bead lock you can use the beadlock to push the tire beads on before you air up the tire. I suggest using both the beadlock and tire to do this...but it is easier.

All in all, if you have the money and want beadlocks, get Hutchinson's. They lock the inner and outer beads on and will keep them there until the tire fails with zero air pressure. The 2pc design presents its own complications for mounting and dismounting, but you can still repair a tire in the bush with hand tools.

 

[01tundra]

I ran my Stauns for about a month and then sold them. IMO they are a total pain in the ***, especially if you have to make a tire repair in the field. I also managed to cut a sidewall due to basically a pinch flat from the tire being between a rock and the Staun. Glad I tried them, and really glad I got rid of them.........

 

[BIGdaddy]

most beadlocks are not DOT compliant and are therefore illegal for road use.

That being said, as Ntsqd alluded to, with all the "streetlock" fake beadlock wheels on the road, you'd really have to piss a cop off to notice that your beadlocks are real, and consequently against the rules...

haha!