EarthRoamer XV-LTS (S for Stretch)

[charlieaarons]

You're probably right in the great majority of situations. There are a few times it can get ugly, though, the most prominent of which is getting a good-sized rock wedged between the two tires. Wedge it just right and there's no easy way to get it out. There's also a potential problem with mud packing in between the wheels, and there's often some sort of not-very-rugged valve extension to the inside wheel to get damaged

Another issue is if you are going to be airing down the tires for more traction. Deflating and reinflating six tires is 50% more work; not a big deal to do once a day, a pain to do often. Also, six tires cost more than four, the sizes available may or may not be as suitable for off-pavement, and it's hard to keep track of the condition of the two adjacent sidewalls. And while the effect depends on the specifics, duals generally provide more traction surface, but less traction pressure. Whether this is good or bad depends on the surface and the situation.

But you're right to think that duals won't often be the determining factor in whether you'd eventually get somewhere. The medium and heavy trucks hauling products to remote areas are on duals, so if you're traveling on a road, even a bad road, it's likely that it's workable without SRWs. Still, there are times . . .

One can't air down duals. It will cause the sidewalls to "kiss", overheat and fail.
If you don't believe me, try it.
.

Charlie

 

[mhiscox]

One can't air down duals. It will cause the sidewalls to "kiss", overheat and fail. If you don't believe me, try it.

Yeah, what he said. I had in mind letting air out for a softer ride when going slower speeds off pavement (going from 80 to 40 or 50 psi, as I'd often do on my Sprinter) rather than getting the sidewalls to flex for more traction, but "airing down" wasn't a good way to phrase that.

 

[AMBOT]

Recent video of an LTS

http://youtu.be/-QK6cyUVEes

 

[DzlToy]

One can't air down duals. It will cause the sidewalls to "kiss", overheat and fail.
If you don't believe me, try it.

Charlie

While I certainly do not doubt your expertise and experience, this does not make any sense to me. The dual rear wheels & tires are turning at the same rate, so there should be no friction or rubbing between them. While you certainly dont want them aired down to 10 psi like you might do for a dedicated trail truck, I can see 25 to 35 psi and slow speed driving where there should be little opportunity for heat build up. I would be interested to hear more about your experience with this and what exactly caused the failure.

 

[jbob]

While I certainly do not doubt your expertise and experience, this does not make any sense to me. The dual rear wheels & tires are turning at the same rate, so there should be no friction or rubbing between them. While you certainly dont want them aired down to 10 psi like you might do for a dedicated trail truck, I can see 25 to 35 psi and slow speed driving where there should be little opportunity for heat build up. I would be interested to hear more about your experience with this and what exactly caused the failure.

What you're saying is true on a smooth trail, but on a rough one, the bumps/undulations could make the sidewalls move vertically relative to one another, resulting in friction between them. That said, I have duallies on my new rig and plan to see how it performs aired down a bit. I'll have my wife and kids walk behind it for the first couple of miles to make sure the sidewalls aren't touching. :sombrero:

 

[motrhed]

I'll have my wife and kids walk behind it for the first couple of miles to make sure the sidewalls aren't touching. :sombrero:

Haha, "first couple of miles"!! Your wife and kids are keepers! Mine would not be so helpful!

 

[AMBOT]

OE 2014 article

http://www.gizmag.com/2014-earthroamer-conquers-world/32199/