In normal use, this is a perfectly fine arrangement. Off-road applications are a very different story, however. That is, they deflate their tires with the aim of increasing the size of the contact patch of their tire to the surface. Another bonus is that it can be more comfortable to ride in a vehicle with gummybear-like, aired-down tires, as well. If the pressure goes down low enough, the bead can start to slip against the rim, creating the danger of the bead actually coming off the rim, and inadvertently allowing the tire to slip off the wheel entirely.
This is where beadlock wheels come into play. Those who intend on driving onto terrain requiring serious traction may need to air their tires all the way down to as little as three to six psi, or even lower. There are many different variations of beadlock wheels, but the most common to off roaders which are the ones we refer to in this article are beadlocks with outer-facing rings. Many have done that by adding balance beads, sand, airsoft pellets, and so on. Others never bother and don't have any issues.
Like any mechanical thing, beadlock wheels can fail, but with proper use and maintenance, they are pretty darn safe. Street driving any vehicle that hasn't been properly maintained or that has been modified poorly is always dangerous. Most off-road race cars and trucks use some sort of beadlock wheels. These parts get used and abused at levels far above what most street-driven vehicles see, and no parts that are prone to fail are used.
Part failure is a good way to lose a race. Beadlocks do require more work, but their design is such that the end product, when manufactured, installed, and maintained correctly, is safe.
We're not lawyers, and most beadlock wheels are not DOT-approved. That means that they are usually not legal for use on the road, but because there are both DOT-approved beadlock wheels and fake beadlock wheels, having a legal issue while driving down a road with beadlocks isn't exactly straightforward.
Most police officers don't seem to notice them yet. To rehash why they are questionably legal, see the cons above. Like with most questions, the answer depends on more than just a whim. The truth is whether you want to install beadlock wheels depends on several things. First, what you are going to use the vehicle for? Never exceed the maximum seating pressure molded into the side of the tire.
Also for safety, we cover the tire and wheel with a large, heavy blanket when seating the bead, in case of a tire, wheel or valve stem failure. You might also like More from author. Prev Next. Follow Us dirtwheelsmag. Close this module. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.
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