16.5" Rim Problem
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2001
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16.5" Rim Problem
I recently went out to the Silver Lake sand dunes and found out the hard way that 16.5" rims and 35" swampers cannot be aired down lower than 20 psi. The bead blew in a turn and the tire separated from the rim. Many people told me this is a problem inherent with 16.5" rims. Is there a way (other than bead locks) to make this rims more friendly at lower pressures? Cuz 20 psi in the sand is worthless for flotation and traction.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2002
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16.5" Rim Problem
It's a problem that plagues us all...the solution is to either get different sized rims (16" if you can fit them, or 17" and you won't have a decent selection of off-road tires) or find some old wheels from a hummer...they are 16.5" two-piece rims and come in a couple different styles, but they do have internal beadlocks. One of the styles of hummer rims have some rubber donut things that go around the rim to make it so the tire won't spin on the wheel...maybe these can be put on any rims, but I am not sure.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2001
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16.5" Rim Problem
Sorry to tell you this but what people have told you is right. You can't run low pressure in 16.5 inch rims. The reason is that 16.5 inch rims do not have any way of securing the bead except air pressure. Also you can't get anyone to make your 16.5s into beadlocks. At least I have not found anyone that will.
I recomend that once your tires are done you should switch to some 16 inch rims. The reason I say that is because they can hold tires on at lower pressures and they can be beadlocked if need be.
I recomend that once your tires are done you should switch to some 16 inch rims. The reason I say that is because they can hold tires on at lower pressures and they can be beadlocked if need be.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 172
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16.5" Rim Problem
Here's something that will help a little bit. Pop the bead off the rim, clean off the rim to bare metal and wipe off the tire bead with some lacquer thinner. Then put some rim sealer on it, that nasty black rubbery glue that tire stores use on rusty and corroded aluminum rims. It will definitely make a difference, not sure if it will be enough though! Some tires that have been glued to the rim will not come loose on a tire changing machine and need to be pounded off with a tire hammer, like is used on semi and off-the-road tires. Another thing you can do, is get some narrower rims in 16.5" like 7" wide, the sidewalls will tend to force the bead against the rim more. Depending on what kind of condition your 16.5" tires are in, you might be getting to the point of converting to some 15's or 16's. Of course you could also get some less aggressive tires more suited to playing in the dunes. But on the other hand, a new $30 rim isn't very expensive at all if it's making a $200 Swamper usable. A few ideas, not sure if any of them are helpful?
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