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Beadlocks

Posted: November 18th, 2008, 4:17 pm
by thrillride
I have been told In the past that Beadlocks should not be used on the road, but I have read that you can drive on the road with them. So can anyone tell me Is it safe to drive on the road with Beadlocks?

Posted: November 18th, 2008, 6:57 pm
by bullyjeep98
I have never had any problems. There are a few people in the club that run them onroad and don't have problem. They are not DOT approved so if a cop is having a bad day and sees them, he can pull you over and give you a ticket. I don't know anyone who has gotten a ticket for running them.

Posted: November 18th, 2008, 9:15 pm
by green50gt
Hutchinson makes DOT beadlocks, as does Jeep now for JK's, and I am unsure about Hummer beadlocks, they should be.

Posted: November 19th, 2008, 9:27 am
by Blueprint Ben
ive been running them for 1 year on-road. no problems.

Posted: November 19th, 2008, 10:45 am
by CommodoreDiegoFirebeard
Not DOT approved does not automatically make it illegal. It is just not approved, meaning you as the owner of the vehicle are liable for any injury or deaths that occur as a result of the non DOT approved part. The law is grey about this and as a result the manufacture of the bead lock rim has found it easier and cheaper to side step getting the design approved. As a result they are generally free of liability. Thankfully with all the simulated bead locks on the streets now, the scrutiny is minimized…

Spherical rod ends AKA heim joints can fall into this category as well…not specifically approved, yet not specifically outlawed either…

The general argument against bead locks is centered around two areas:

Having the bolts come loose, becoming projectiles and the tire deflate rapidly, coming off the bead and causing a crash.

In the event of a crash, instead of the tire being able to absorb the impact then pop off the bead as a standard tire and rim would. The tire absorbs the impact then rebounds increasing the injury to the occupants.

That being said, these are just the arguments and rare is the factual story that supports…

If you are looking to get bead locks, take a look around and see the various designs. Outer ring bolted on pinching the bead (most of what you see as the non DOT approved), split rim (Hummer DOT approved) and inflatable (most DOT approved). See what works for you and how you feel about the safety of each design

Posted: November 20th, 2008, 2:01 pm
by thrillride
thank-you for the info bro's :D