Do you really need beadlocks?

[joetimmons]

Debating whether or not to get them (KMCs) on my JLUR, are they worth the hassle and cost or no? How common is it for low psi tires to slip off a non beadlock rim?

(Use will be casual offroading, medium difficulty trails)

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[Mikester86]

 

[Barney392]

Debating whether or not to get them (KMCs) on my JLUR, are they worth the hassle and cost or no? How common is it for low psi tires to slip off a non beadlock rim?

(Use will be casual offroading, medium difficulty trails)

Just a word to the wise. Bead locks are not approved by the DOT for On Road use.

 

[Bulletbill]

I have the stock wheels and tires on my Rubicon that I air down to approx 25psi when I am out on the trail. Max trail I go on is probably just above medium difficulty and I have never had an issue with the bead coming off the wheel. If you go rock crawling regularly and air down below (2nd edit) 12 psi I’d probably get bead locks, but if you stick to casual to moderate trails you will probably never need them.

 

[joetimmons]

Just a word to the wise. Bead locks are not approved by the DOT for On Road use.

I think Rock Monsters are but their styles / colors are limited IMO

https://www.hutchinsoninc.com/rock-monster-internal-double-beadlock-system/

 

[Bulletbill]

While I don’t think you would need them, if it’s something you’re concerned about method makes a bead grip wheel. I attached a write up about it.

 

[Old Jeeper]

Debating whether or not to get them (KMCs) on my JLUR, are they worth the hassle and cost or no? How common is it for low psi tires to slip off a non beadlock rim?

(Use will be casual offroading, medium difficulty trails)

Ran BLs for 8 years, not a problem, never peeled a tire even running 3-5 psi on 7++ trails.

Yes some maintenance, you need a torque wrench and about an afternoon to maintain them once a year.

SOME tire sellers will NOT work on BLs. So to beat that I only ask the to put the tire onto the rim, only and I will do the rest which installing the BL Ring and torquing down.

There are a LOT of tricks to turn in what can be a day long job into a couple of hours for 5 tires. IF you are not handy with a Torque wrench this may not be your calling.

Based upon you intended use, I would tell you that you DO NOT need them.


These are Walker Evans Bead Locks: Roger Walker Evans is an American former professional off road racing driver and member of the Off-road Motorsports Hall of Fame. He was also a driver and owner in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

https://walkerevansracing.com/

I know Walker, one helluva great guy and a racer. These are the wheels he designed for his off road racing (Baja 1000 etc) and I saw them on his truck and ask to sell me some. He said they only for his company. I said you are missing a MAJOR Jeep market. REALLY?? Yea you are. I got a set and the rest is history.

 

[limeade]

I don't use bead locks and I air down between 12 -15 psi when rock crawling. I've never lost a bead either. Some tires are better at resisting losing a bead due to their stiffer sidewalls. I try to drive carefully and as slowly/gentle as possible knowing that I could lose a bead.

However, I do equip my Jeep with the items to re-seat a bead if it happens. I carry a CO2 tank, ratchet straps, a tire iron, etc. A normal ARB, Viaiar, etc. type air compressor does not have enough volume and pressure to re-seat a bead.

My reasons for not having bead locks are due to the higher maintenance of them on a daily driver. Plus, they're considerably more expensive than quality wheels. If I had a dedicated rock crawler, then bead locks would be a must.

 

[Dyolfknip74]

Just a word to the wise. Bead locks are not approved by the DOT for On Road use.

There are absolutely DOT approved beadlocks.
Notwithstanding, have you ever heard of anyone get specifically pulled over for beadlocks?

Lastly, they suck to manitain regardless and unless you're required to air down to like 5psi regularly, they're a huge pain in the ass and not worth the hassle. Somewhat like wearing a cosplay costume full time.

 

[TheBirdie72]

Do you really need beadlocks?

No, I do not.

 

[3TV]

I have the stock wheels and tires on my Rubicon that I air down to approx 25psi when I am out on the trail. Max trail I go on is probably just above medium difficulty and I have never had an issue with the bead coming off the wheel. If you go rock crawling regularly and air down below 20 psi I’d probably get bead locks, but if you stick to casual to moderate trails you will probably never need them.

I would change this to say that if I went rock crawling and regularly aired down to below 10 psi I'd probably get bead locks.

 

[limeade]

There are absolutely DOT approved beadlocks.
Notwithstanding, have you ever heard of anyone get specifically pulled over for beadlocks?

If you live in a state where they conduct vehicle inspections, then they "might" find out. Otherwise, most cops neither know nor care about beadlocks.

However, if your vehicle were to be involved in a serious or fatal crash, then chances are they will find out. They will conduct a post-crash investigation where the vehicles are inspected to determine if any component(s) failed and contributed to the crash. IF your bead lock failed and they're not DOT approved, this could be a basis for negligence, both criminally and civilly. This would be no different if your vehicle had inoperable/improperly maintained brakes, too low of tire tread, etc.

 

[Murphydog]

Debating whether or not to get them (KMCs) on my JLUR, are they worth the hassle and cost or no? How common is it for low psi tires to slip off a non beadlock rim?

(Use will be casual offroading, medium difficulty trails)

No.

 

[Dyolfknip74]

If you live in a state where they conduct vehicle inspections, then they "might" find out. Otherwise, most cops neither know nor care about beadlocks.

However, if your vehicle were to be involved in a serious or fatal crash, then chances are they will find out. They will conduct a post-crash investigation where the vehicles are inspected to determine if any component(s) failed and contributed to the crash. IF your bead lock failed and they're not DOT approved, this could be a basis for negligence, both criminally and civilly. This would be no different if your vehicle had inoperable/improperly maintained brakes, too low of tire tread, etc.

I fully agree, but have you ever heard or seen of this happening? This comes up every so often on forums and while everyone says it's a thing, it's all anecdotal.

 

[multicam]

…they're a huge pain in the ass and not worth the hassle. Somewhat like wearing a cosplay costume full time.

Great analogy!

I’ll echo some of the others here: OP, for your intended use case, I’d say they’re absolutely NOT worth the cost.

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