Ready to tackle the toughest terrains without worrying about tyre slippage? Beadlock rims improve off-road driving by offering excellent grip and safety, even in harsh conditions.
1. What Are Beadlock Rims?
Engineers design 4×4 beadlock rims as specially designed wheels that clamp the tyre’s bead between the rim and an outer ring. This particular design stops the tyre from slipping off the wheel. This is important when driving on rough terrain.
Off-road enthusiasts often use premium beadlock wheels in tough terrains, such as rock crawling, mudding, and desert racing. Tyre slippage can be risky in these areas.
2. How Do Beadlock Rims Work?
Premium Beadlock rims hold the tyre in place by locking the inner edge with bolts and a ring to the rim. When off-roading with low tyre pressure, the 4×4 beadlock mechanism holds the tyre in place, stopping it from slipping or coming off the rim. This allows drivers to reduce tyre pressure for better traction without worrying about the tyre separating from the rim.
3. Beadlock Rims Pros and Cons
Pros of Beadlock Rims:
- Superior Tyre Retention: Beadlock rims are designed to prevent the tyre from slipping off the rim, especially in extreme off-road conditions. Extra security is important for activities like rock crawling, mudding, and desert racing, which put a lot of stress on the tyres.
- Improved Traction: One key advantage of premium beadlock rims is that they allow drivers to run lower tyre pressures. Lower tyre pressure increases the area in contact with the ground, improving grip on rough, sandy, or slippery surfaces.
- Safety in Tough Conditions: Beadlocks keep the tyre locked to the rim, helping prevent tyre blowouts or tyre removal. They work well even under high pressure or uneven loads.
Cons of Beadlock Rims:
- Higher Cost: Beadlock rims are generally more expensive than traditional wheels due to their specialized design and additional components, such as separate beadlock ring and grade 5 or 8 bolts.
- Increased Maintenance: Beadlock rims need regular checks and care. You must check the bolts holding the outer ring for tightness to ensure they work well. Over time, bolts can loosen because of the stress of off-road driving.
- Added Weight: Beadlock rims are usually heavier than standard rims due to the extra hardware. The added weight can lower fuel efficiency and slightly change the vehicle’s handling.
4. Beadlocks are legal or illegal in NZ?
- Not Street Legal (Off Road Only): Beadlock rims are usually not allowed for street use in New Zealand. This limits their usefulness for daily driving.
- However, beadlock rims can be legally used off-road on private property or designated off-road areas across New Zealand.
- The key concern is that most 4×4 beadlock rims do not meet the required safety standards set by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for road-legal vehicles. To be considered for potential road use, beadlock rims must have at least 24 bolts securing the beadlock ring to the rim. However, a certificate might be required by NZTA.
For further details, see blog post: 7 Tips On How To Choose The Best Wheels For Your Car
