Sponsored

Do you really need beadlocks?

DWaX

Well-Known Member
First Name
D
Joined
Jun 7, 2018
Threads
1
Messages
184
Reaction score
542
Location
Wilmington, NC
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLUR
At what point is anyone going to climb under a jeep with a flashlight, clean off the dried mud and look for an DOT stamp on the wheel. Which technically is not require on any wheel, The DOT marker is to verify that the wheel is confirmed to meet the size requirements of the manufacture stated specs.... However those sizes are always stamped on all wheels, so the DOT stamp is not required and not enforced, unless you are a commercial entity, trucker, or commercial trailers hauler.

A DOT stamp on a wheel changes nothing except costing the manufacture a federal fee to get a peace of paper in the form of a certificate...blah blah blah...


For $17.99 on Amazon your wheels are magically DOT approved
https://www.amazon.com/HORUSDY-36-P...words=letter+punch+set&qid=1616561661&sr=8-10

Jeep Wrangler JL Do you really need beadlocks? 1616561991834




WaX
Sponsored

 

phageghost

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2022
Threads
7
Messages
274
Reaction score
582
Location
San Diego, CA
Vehicle(s)
2022 JLURD
the devil is in the detail.

DOT does not "Approve" wheels. they set a standard to which manufacturers are to comply if they want to produce a "Compliant" wheel.

as for J**p or Icon marketing? this is just another example of how it's as reliable as anything else written by a marketeer.

if you're concerned about the legality, it's the Motor Vehicle Codes where you're operating that matter. if you find a place where the Vehicle Codes specifically outlaw BeadLocks, please share for the benefit of all.
Thank you! There is a lot of FUD and misunderstanding of this issue out there. Unless you are operating commercially (trucking company, bus service, etc.) or are a manufacturer of vehicles or wheels ("rims" in federal parlance, lol) here is no federal regulation that applies to you. And in California, at least, there is no state requirement that you maintain your vehicle in compliance with the federal safety standards. I haven't heard of any states that do, although I haven't checked all of them.

So, while not a lawyer, I can share this bit of legal advice: to write you a ticket, a cop needs to specify which law you are breaking. You can't be in violation of a nonexistent law.
 

Iggy

Well-Known Member
First Name
Russell
Joined
Jul 11, 2020
Threads
9
Messages
318
Reaction score
397
Location
NV
Vehicle(s)
2021 JLR
Just a word to the wise. Bead locks are not approved by the DOT for On Road use.
The OCON Rebound Pro beadlocks are DOT compliant. Check this out:

 

Vinman

Well-Known Member
First Name
Vince
Joined
Oct 19, 2020
Threads
32
Messages
1,452
Reaction score
3,868
Location
Calgary, Alberta
Vehicle(s)
2021 JLU Rubicon
Since bead-locks have been popular on street driven vehicles for at least the last 2 decades there must be tins of people out there that have been ticketed.
Can somebody provide a picture of a traffic ticket in relation to a bead-lock violation?
I’ll wait.
 

Sponsored

Old Jeeper

Banned
Banned
Banned
First Name
Don
Joined
Jul 7, 2022
Threads
43
Messages
2,841
Reaction score
4,211
Location
Port Charlotte, FL, Naples Fl, 17 Oaks Ranch, Tex
Vehicle(s)
2024 JLR-X 2023 JLR, 2021 JTR. 20 F 450 KR,
Occupation
US Army Infantry, IT Engineer
Thank you! There is a lot of FUD and misunderstanding of this issue out there. Unless you are operating commercially (trucking company, bus service, etc.) or are a manufacturer of vehicles or wheels ("rims" in federal parlance, lol) here is no federal regulation that applies to you. And in California, at least, there is no state requirement that you maintain your vehicle in compliance with the federal safety standards. I haven't heard of any states that do, although I haven't checked all of them.

So, while not a lawyer, I can share this bit of legal advice: to write you a ticket, a cop needs to specify which law you are breaking. You can't be in violation of a nonexistent law.
I almost brought your point up, but it leads more misunderstanding. Now we got somebody saying OHH does not apply to me so runs out and buys a set of WeBeBeadLocks-Chinese Take Out & Stomach Pump Room. His buddy comes over to help him and neither one every heard of a TORK WENCH. So the flip a coin to see who tightens it down with that 48 in break-over bar and the other one holds the beer while JimBob is doing it.

Its all cranked down and yea few of those pot metal bolts broke hell there is a lot of 'um. They head out for a test drive down I 10 and went the hit 80 mph bolts and flying, rings spinng down I 10 going thru windshields, tires are a popping from running over bent bolts.

Mr LawMan pulls them over with sparks flying and says you know Bead Locks are illegal here in the FREE State of CalifornKA. JimBob just says. HEY, I was on the WeBeJeeps website and Old Jeeper told me I need no stinkin ticket don't apply me I am not on TV commercials or sumptin like that!
 

Tech Tim

Well-Known Member
Summit Sponsor (Level 3)
First Name
Tim
Joined
Jan 16, 2018
Threads
14
Messages
2,411
Reaction score
16,453
Location
Poulsbo, WA
Vehicle(s)
4x4 of all kinds
Occupation
Part of the Northridge4x4 team
DOT does not "Approve" wheels. they set a standard to which manufacturers are to comply if they want to produce a "Compliant" wheel.
^^^^This right here.


In practical terms, I don’t think the DOT approval is so much about legality as it is about liability. Should you get into an accident with beadlocks on, you can bet that your or the other party’s insurance company will find a way to bring that into the picture and deny coverage. It’s like towing over your limits, it’s probably fine to tow slightly over the rated limit of the vehicle, but you’re on your own if you have an accident.
^^^Then this^^^

Both Hutchinson and Icon have put their wheels through the proper testing and they both passed.

During testing, not only did the Icon Rebound Pro pass the test, they maxed out the testing machine and couldn't get the tire to de-bead from the rim.


Since bead-locks have been popular on street driven vehicles for at least the last 2 decades there must be tins of people out there that have been ticketed.
Can somebody provide a picture of a traffic ticket in relation to a bead-lock violation?
I’ll wait.
Back in the late '90s, early 2000's there were quite a few beadlock tickets given in and around SLC, UT. Seems that someone schooled the local LE about beadlocks not being DOT and they were having a heyday with it.

That said, I've DD'd with beadlocks for over 20 years and have never got a ticket, have been pulled over for other stuff, but not beadlocks.
 

Shibadog

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2021
Threads
23
Messages
2,149
Reaction score
3,535
Location
Bowling Green, Ky
Vehicle(s)
2020 Wrangler Sport S hardtop
Occupation
Safety &Fire Protection Engineer (Retired)
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)
Short answer for your use “No”. Have you ever had a tire bead break loose when off roading? Didn’t think so. Neither have I, and I’ve been playing around with 4wd’s off road longer than most folks here have been alive?. If you run Extremely low pressure, in extreme off road conditions, you “may” have this problem. If you are doing moderate , even “difficult” moderate off roading then it’s a non issue.
 

7vaa

Member
First Name
Mohammed
Joined
Mar 25, 2022
Threads
0
Messages
17
Reaction score
60
Location
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Vehicle(s)
Jeep Wrangler JL Unlimited 2021
Vehicle Showcase
1
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)
Now I know the responses could be quite suffice .. however I couldn’t resist the urge to add my opinion.

9-15 psi on stock 17” rims is fine if you’re driving with caution (i.e. rock crawlin)

however where I’m from (dubai / UAE) we prefer the sand dunes to rock crawling. I usually drive at around 11-12 psi for maximum traction and stability on the sand, and ever since I got the bigger 33 inch all terrain tires, I’m starting to feel like I need 14-15 at best (had the stock sport tires earlier).
However, this does happen where I drive, quite often:
Jeep Wrangler JL Do you really need beadlocks? 50E7DF61-5060-4AC6-A1A2-13080076C8AA

10 Psi + nighttime desert driving = not the best way to go??
 

Vinman

Well-Known Member
First Name
Vince
Joined
Oct 19, 2020
Threads
32
Messages
1,452
Reaction score
3,868
Location
Calgary, Alberta
Vehicle(s)
2021 JLU Rubicon
^^^^This right here.




^^^Then this^^^

Both Hutchinson and Icon have put their wheels through the proper testing and they both passed.

During testing, not only did the Icon Rebound Pro pass the test, they maxed out the testing machine and couldn't get the tire to de-bead from the rim.




Back in the late '90s, early 2000's there were quite a few beadlock tickets given in and around SLC, UT. Seems that someone schooled the local LE about beadlocks not being DOT and they were having a heyday with it.

That said, I've DD'd with beadlocks for over 20 years and have never got a ticket, have been pulled over for other stuff, but not beadlocks.
But nowadays there’s enough different styles of fake bead-locks that it would take a very close eye for a cop to pick out the real ones and even then I really doubt they would bother to ticket anybody.
 

Sponsored

Rogerhowe

New Member
First Name
Wambo
Joined
Jun 6, 2022
Threads
0
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Location
Oregon
Vehicle(s)
2022 Jeep 392
Just a word to the wise. Bead locks are not approved by the DOT …….Actually you Can by DOT approved bead locks . They are made by ICON work perfect. Got mine through Walmart for $1500.
 

Tech Tim

Well-Known Member
Summit Sponsor (Level 3)
First Name
Tim
Joined
Jan 16, 2018
Threads
14
Messages
2,411
Reaction score
16,453
Location
Poulsbo, WA
Vehicle(s)
4x4 of all kinds
Occupation
Part of the Northridge4x4 team
But nowadays there’s enough different styles of fake bead-locks that it would take a very close eye for a cop to pick out the real ones and even then I really doubt they would bother to ticket anybody.

Spot on.

We used to have a guy who wheeled with us, he had real beadlocks on the ground and a matching fake lock on his spare. His reasoning was that is a cop ever hassled him, he'd pull the fake lock off the spare to show the cop that they are fake locks.

I think he was just too cheap to buy five beadlocks.... ???
 

mnjeeper

Well-Known Member
First Name
Dave
Joined
Oct 5, 2020
Threads
16
Messages
950
Reaction score
1,709
Location
MN
Vehicle(s)
98 TJ, 2021 JLUR
I am not getting into the "BeadLoCkes is iLLegAl" crap. I have seen 99% have no clue what they are talking about and I am done with that. Do I need them? Probably not. But, once towards the end of wheeling my TJ I was turned against a rock I needed to get up, I heard a fast hiss. I got out. I was pretty close to not and OBA wasn't as common as it is now.

Today, I am older and have more money. I had dirty life roadkills, then I saw the Icon rebound pro and switched simply for the lack of maintenance. My JL hasn't hit 9K miles and it is on it's 4th set of wheels. I might not need them, but whatever. Far too many gatekeepers on what is allowed.
 

DOOKEY

Well-Known Member
First Name
Andy
Joined
Mar 26, 2018
Threads
54
Messages
2,288
Reaction score
5,233
Location
Thornton, CO
Website
www.tractionoffroad.com
Vehicle(s)
2021 GCM 392 - 2019 SG JLUR
Occupation
Wheel Pimp.
I am not getting into the "BeadLoCkes is iLLegAl" crap.

So many people have no clue. Been this way for 20 years. So now I just sit back and watch the show. ??

For tonight's entertainment I give you... Darth Twitty!



Jeep Wrangler JL Do you really need beadlocks? darth-twitty
 
 







Top