Do you really need beadlocks?

[Vinman]

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.

Just curious here, is EVERY SINGLE COMPONENT on your Jeep DOT compliant?

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[Vinman]

I’ve never ran beadlocks and only popped a bead once but that happened after unknowingly puncturing the tire and losing all the air.
On previous TJ’s I regularly aired the 35’s down to 8 psi and the current JL’s 35’s and now 37’s get aired down to 12 psi.
I’ve been wheeling for almost 2-1/2 decades now and thats how I run.

 

[DOOKEY]

How common is it for low psi tires to slip off a non beadlock rim?

Not common. But it happens. How often do you get stuck? Need a winch? How often do you get in an accident? Need a seatbelt or an airbag?

Beadlocks to me are a luxury. You don't need them. They're nice to have so when the bad stuff that can happen happens you have an easier time of getting out of the problem.

You don't need beadlocks. Just carry provisions to seat a bead should they pop off when playing. Or get the beadlocks and remove the worry of being the trail tampon because your tire came off. ?

 

[limeade]

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.

In a previous life, I did crash investigations which looked at these types of crashes. While I never found a bead lock wheel during an inspection, we especially looked at different types of aftermarket components. Everything from non-DOT headlights, lift/lowering kits, etc. These were inspected for improper installation, lack of maintenance, misuse, etc. I've seen non-stock suspension failures lead to crashes.

Typically when I found a mechanical malfunction, it was in the braking system or the vehicle was operating above it's GVWR.

 

[limeade]

Just curious here, is EVERY SINGLE COMPONENT on your Jeep DOT compliant?

I'm guessing my PRP seat covers aren't.................

 

[Tool Guy]

Our heavy ass JL's are more likely to unseat a bead than earlier generations (TJ, CJ, etc). Unless you wheel a LOT, I don't think they they are necessary. I do have them on my JL as it's primarily an offroad machine.

 

[Vinman]

I'm guessing my PRP seat covers aren't.................

Better hope you never slide down the seat and hit the gas by mistake??

 

[verapx]

No, they're not necessary for your use case. That said, your stock wheels should be fine. So in the end it's your money and you're spending so get what you want and be happy.
I prefer beadlocks myself.

 

[Cycle11111]

I have the ICON Rebound PROs and they provide much the same benefit as pure beadlocks and ARE DOT compliant/legal. I air down to around 12 PSI when off road and have had two friends knock off a bead when out wheeling. One was at night after a very long day and was a huge hassle to deal with - he has since gone to true beadlocks. I did not want a none DOT wheel and is why I jumped on the ICONs.

 

[DOOKEY]

I prefer beadlocks myself.

Same! Obviously. I can turn wrenches in my comfy garage at home!?

 

[Bulletbill]

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.

Good point. I don’t usually venture past blue trails so never had a real need to air down super low.

 

[RubiSc0tt]

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)

Honestly- probably not for your use case. Though they do look nice and are usually more durable.

I've been on the trail since 2005. I've only ever lost beads on my TJ's when I was getting stupid and pushing the 33's below 5psi.
On my JLUR, I run my 37's right around 12psi for Northeastern US forest wheeling (mud, rocks, etc). And I have not had a problem yet. I have a Twin motor compressor with 4 tire inflation system so air up is not an issue.
The only reason I opted for a simulated beadlock wheel with a UMHW rashguard ring is because in the past my steel wheels have gotten bent, tweaked, etc, and alloy wheels have gotten gouged, etc. and I was worried about bead/ rim integrity because I'm running bigger tires on a heavier Jeep.

The only time I'll be putting my tire pressure lower than 12psi on my JLUR will be this summer for beach driving, and that's an entirely different form of wheeling altogether.

 

[Crowbar]

I have beadlocks and am not going to use them on my new jeep. Despite how "cool" and hard-core beadlocks look, I do not Need beadlocks for the way I wheel. I haven't needed to air down below 15psi. I don't need the potential liability issues. I don't need the potential legal issues.

 

[blnewt]

OP, sounds like you're not planning to run trails that would require airing way down, should be fine going down to 15 psi. No need for any more reinforcement to keep the tire on the bead at that psi as long as you have a proper width wheel range for the tire you're running.

 

[Steak]

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)

Airing down to no further than 15 psi is the rule-of-thumb for non-beadlock wheels. I have a 2020 JLUR on 35’s and I’ve run numerous Medium Difficuly trails in Moab, Sedona, Uwharrie, Windrock, and elsewhere, and I always air down my non-beadlocks to between 13.5 and 14.0 psi. Never popped a bead. But, maybe I’ve been fortunate/lucky!

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