I just called around to find some beadlock 16.5 rims and was told nobody makes them and that custom shops won't do it. I don't understand the reasons but was wondering, has anyone ever found a good solution for this.
The problem is when you air-down, the 16.5 rims don't have good bead holding properties, they tend to fall off the rim. I've heard about using an inner tube but the tire is 35 14.5 16.5 and that seems large for an inner tube.
Others have suggested the tire screws the some racers use but this seems like it would damage the tire.

Any ideas?

 

karljay,

Those tires aren't too big for tubes - we have endloaders with tires as tall as me and they have tubes in them. However, at low pressures, the tubes won't be that big of a help. Screws are better, since most 16.5 rims don't have safety bead bumps on them. I have screws in the slicks on my dragcar - they don't damage the tire at all if done right. For true beadlock rims, I'd try Stockton Wheel and the others that advertise in the back of Four Wheeler type magazines. With all of the interest in rock crawling, bead locks are becoming more popular.

Art

 

Just wanted to second that- those tires aren't to big for tubes at all, (I've got tubes in my 35s), but I don't know anybody who makes 16.5 beadlockers. I'm sure you can find somebody but I bet they are going to cost you a liver and leg. Let us know if you find them and how much they cost. Basically what I end up having to do is just not air down my tires/tubes as far as I would with the beadlockers...it does the job but BLs would be nice.

 

>I'd try Stockton
>Wheel and the others that
>advertise in the back of
>Four Wheeler type magazines.
>With all of the interest
>in rock crawling, bead locks
>are becoming more popular.
>
>Art

That's the one I called, they said nobody makes beadlocks for 16.5 I'm thinking the screws are going to be the best choice. Thanks again.

 

I have tried tube in tire and had bad luck. The tube moves inside tire and then valve stem disappears and tire goes flat. If anyone tries screws let me know how they work out. Have 40" hawgs on 12" rims. 10 psi works good for me,but have to be carefull about pulling at an angle.

 

I saw a web site that offered to screw the tire to the rim, but the price was too high. Jegs offers the kit to do this with, the only down side it that you have to unscrew everything to change the tire, but you don't do it that often.

 

Karljay, how far are you wanting to air down your tires? I believe that 16.5s will hold down to 15-20psi, which is fine for the trails. Sand needs lower pressure than that, but I myself don't run in sand. I have run my 35s (not the ones with the tubes) down to 20psi and haven't thrown them off my 16.5s. Anybody else have a different experience?

If your knuckles ain't bleeding you did something wrong.

'72 F-250 "Hi-Boy" 4x4, Dana 60/HD44, FE390 @ 400hp(purt near!), 4-speed, custom suspension w 4" lift, mud on black.

 

Try www.trailready.com http://skins.hotbar.com/skins/mailskins/em/033102/033102bebe_1_prv.gif

 

I have run my 33x12.5R16.5 at 15 psi on sand, rock, and whatever else came my way for years without popping a bead...