What Are Beadlock Wheels: Pros And Cons

If you’re not an off-road fanatic, you may have heard the term ‘beadlock-capable wheels’ or ‘beadlock wheels’ in relation to preparing a car for going off road. This refers to a rather special type of wheel that’s used in scenarios where especially low tire pressure is required to deal with rough terrain. “Locking the bead” is necessary to prevent the tire from slipping off the rim, and in situations where conventional rims won’t work, this is where beadlock wheels come in – equipment you can find on cars like the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392.

Car manufacturers that offer off-road trims or off-road-focused vehicles make sure customers have access to beadlock compatible wheels. But how do they work? And should you be putting them on your car?

CarBuzz recommends using an accredited professional or manufacturer for all modifications/additional equipment on your vehicle. Pricing and legality of use may vary across regions.

Beadlock Wheels: What Are They?

Definitions

Bead: The reinforced rubber ring which presses against the inner edge of the wheel rim and seals, allowing the tire to be filled with air. The pressure inside the tire secures the bead against the wheel.

Rim: The outer edge of the wheel that holds the tire in place

On regular tires and wheels, the air pressure inside the tire is usually enough to keep the wheel and the tire’s ‘bead’ together so they rotate as one. Theoretically, if the all the air is removed from the tire, it would pull apart – the same applies when you purposefully reduce air pressure in a tire.

Beadlock wheels solve this issue by creating a physical attachment between your rim and tire to keep them locked on. This is done through a separate outer ring that can physically lock the bead to the wheel – hence the name. Instead of the bead being inside the rim, it’s sandwiched between the outer face of the rim and another ring, which is sealed in place through the use of physical locks. This means that air pressure is no longer needed to keep the tire in place, and you can play around with lower air pressure.

How Do Beadlock Wheels Work?

Beadlock wheels solve separation issues with an external ring that bolts to the wheel and locks the tire’s bead into place. This external ring is usually made of steel and is extremely durable. The idea is to prevent debeading when lowering the tire pressure – which is something off-roaders may need to, or want to, do in order to manage certain terrain better.

Reasons Why Off-Roaders Want To Air Down

‘Airing down’ is the practice of letting air out of your tires to allow for a bigger contact patch between the ground and your tire. This provides better traction and helps your car climb over challenging terrain. In theory, the more air you let out, the larger that contact patch becomes – but if you air down too much, regular tires will de-bead, meaning the rim and the rubber will separate.

To prevent this issue, beadlock wheels allow you to air down without the risk of de-beading. Some specialist off-roaders come with beadlock wheels as standard, but many automakers will sell you beadlock-capable wheels as an option.

Pros And Cons of Beadlock Wheels

Let’s look at some of the reasons you may want to consider using beadlock wheels, and some of the things you’d likely need to think twice about:

Pros

• Improved traction and better off-roading prowess through safely airing down
• Due to the reinforced outer edge on beadlock wheels, this type of rim is structurally stronger – ideal for harsh terrain where durability matters
• Secure tire attachment to the wheel under any pressure – means you can theoretically go anywhere
• They look cool – manufacturers put fake beadlocks on their cars for one reason: it makes them look hardcore and tough.

Cons

• They make the wheel heavier, which may lead to slower speeds and will affect fuel economy
• Beadlock wheels are usually more expensive to buy as they use more components and are highly specialized
• They require more maintenance as the bolts must be securely fastened but not over-tightened
• Legal use can be limited: Most are not Department of Transport (DOT) approved, so you may not be able to use them on-road (see below)
• Having an air pump or compressor on hand is necessary once you’ve aired down
• Installation can be a challenge – especially if you need to switch between these and regular wheels depending on terrain.

While there does seem to be more negatives to consider, it mostly depends on how often you want to go off-roading. If this is something you do regularly – and have a kitted out off-roader expressly for this purpose – it’s a worthy investment. However, if you need to daily the same car, it can become a lot of work – and potentially legally problematic – having to drive on only beadlock wheels.

Are Beadlock Wheels Street Legal in the US?

In the USA, the Department of Transport (DOT) needs to approve beadlock wheels for legal road use, and since there are a variety of beadlock and lookalike-beadlock wheels available, things aren’t always crystal clear. Laws and regulations also vary from region to region, so if this is something you’re looking into, be sure to confirm laws for your state.

It’s also worth noting that some tire shops aren’t willing to work on or supply tires for beadlock wheels for the murky legal reasons above, and unless you can find an expert to assist you, you’ll be doing it on your own. This includes balancing – although some serious off-roaders suggest this isn’t quite as important for off-roading.

One of the rasons the DOT doesn’t allow all beadlock wheels onto the highway is the increased risk of bolt failure that may lead to an incident that blows a tire. This is usually due to improper maintenance, however, so it shouldn’t scare you off if you’re a hardcore off-roader.

Cars with Beadlock Wheels

2025 Ram 1500 RHO

The 2025 Ram 1500 RHO is a premium truck designed for fast and flowing off-road adventures, said to be the ‘strongest Ram 1500 ever’. With 540 horsepower, it makes attacking terrain effortless, which is why it features 18-inch beadlock-capable wheels to take you anywhere with confidence. Its aggressive features match the wheels perfectly.

2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392

Jeep and off-road go hand in hand – and the 2024 Jeep Rubicon 392 is one of the company’s flagship models. Powered by a huge 6.4-liter gas V8, the car is ready for anything. Fans are struggling to say goodbye to the V8 Wrangler, which you could spec with beadlock-compatible wheels, similar to the Ram 1500 RHO. These wheels came in a tasteful bronze at 17 inches as standard.

2025 Ford Bronco

The 2025 Ford Bronco is the Blue Oval’s answer to the Jeep Wrangler as its go-anywhere SUV. In Raptor spec, it is at its most aggressive, and buyers can option 17-inch Dark Carbonized beadlock capable forged wheels for an additional $1,995. Lower-spec models like the Badlands also have the option to beadlock capable wheels with a beauty ring. The Bronco Raptor is by far the most off-road capable, so it makes sense that it comes with the most advanced kit.

Conclusion: Should I Use Beadlock Wheels?

For most people, a regular wheel and tire will be all they need for their adventures. Some may find it useful when dealing with rough terrain, like rocks, or in harsh weather conditions when out on the trail. Letting a little bit less air out of your tire may be the difference between stuck and conquered. You will have to consider how often you’ll truly be needing them, as they can be difficult to install without a professional. Check whether they are legal in your area, too.

Sources: Motortrend, CJ Pony Parts, CapitalOne Auto Navigator, HardRockOffroad.