Moab bound:deciding which wheel tire combination to take

[Orlyg1521]

I'm taking a road trip from Portland Oregon to Moab Utah and back approximately 15-16 hours of driving. Currently I have a 2011 with 35 inch tires on beat lock wheels and 4:56 gearing. Miles per gallon on the computer is showing approximately 13 mpg. I have the option of switching to 285's with stock wheels. this is the Metal Tech 4runner it has a lift & skid plates underneath as well so is there is a weight issue concerning the MPGs. I'm wondering about this concerning safety in fuel economy. Any input would be appreciated from the group

 

[KidVermicious]

You're looking at at least 17 hours of driving one way, more if you stop frequently or run into bad weather. I don't know about Oregon, but most beadlock wheels aren't street legal in Utah. Folks have been pulled over and ticketed by UHP. One fellow I know was forced to scrounge street legal wheels and tires before they'd let him continue to drive, another had his truck impounded.

I don't know what your second to last question means. What safety and fuel economy issues are you worried about?

 

[Orlyg1521]

Safety

Stopping by a tire store, the installer was saying he did not like seeing beadlocks on vehicles as daily drivers due to the possibility of bad installation and liability of something going wrong (?)

 

[KidVermicious]

Properly installed beadlocks are safe. Improperly installed beadlocks are not, just like any other wheel and tire system. Most tire shops won't touch them, so if you don't know how to safely install and maintain them, maybe you shouldn't use them.

Your bigger issue is legality. You're driving through Utah. State and local officers know what beadlocks are and if you run into a grumpy one you will get pulled over and cited, and you might get impounded or immobilized until you can source street legal wheels.

Not to mention that if you're asking all this, you're not going to be doing anything that needs beadlocks anyway. Leave them home. If MPG is a concern you bought the wrong truck.

 

[Orlyg1521]

Kevin, no need to get snippy. I bought the truck knowing it had Beadlock wheels. I did not know about the legality issues which is why I'm asking this question. MPGs are not a big issue. In Oregon bead locks aren't a big thing for cops to pull us over for and I was wondering if Utah was and now I have my answer. I will be using the beadlocks as intended in the future but since we are road tripping it they aren't worth the potential hassle . my issue was the legality and a long trip thanks for your input

 

[bimrunner]

I found my wheel/tire combo perfect for Moab. I wouldn't have wanted to be smaller. Go with a 285/75/17 for a great combo of offroad-ability and fitting on non-beadlocked wheels for the 5th gen. I'm pretty sure MT drove that truck in CA and UT to get to CO, but there is a good chance of being stopped by the police in UT or CA with beadlocks. People still do it, they just know they are taking a risk. Other than the chance of being stopped, I wouldn't worry about driving that route on the wheels/tires you have.

 

[Orlyg1521]

thanks for the reply Ben and Kevin I appreciate the information as always this form is an excellent resource. I will more than likely be switching over to standard wheels for 285 s for this trip and I'll be debating whether to keep the bead lock wheels or to sell them. not sure if I really use them as much as I think

 

[bimrunner]

thanks for the reply Ben and Kevin I appreciate the information as always this form is an excellent resource. I will more than likely be switching over to standard wheels for 285 s for this truck and I'll be debating whether to keep the bead lock wheels or to sell them. not sure if I really use them as much as I think

I can tell you that I love the look, but the 4runner doesn't really need them. If you know how to re-seat a bead, thats really all you need. I have yet to blow a bead on this thing and don't know if it is capable enough for trails where beadlocks really are necessary. MT really had them on for the BA factor imho. 34s are perfect on this rig.

 

[4ShoreRunner]

I'm taking a road trip from Portland Oregon to Moab Utah and back approximately 15-16 hours of driving. Currently I have a 2011 with 35 inch tires on beat lock wheels and 4:56 gearing. Miles per gallon on the computer is showing approximately 13 mpg. I have the option of switching to 285's with stock wheels. this is the Metal Tech 4runner it has a lift & skid plates underneath as well so is there is a weight issue concerning the MPGs. I'm wondering about this concerning safety in fuel economy. Any input would be appreciated from the group

Putting in my .02 simply over the choice of tire. I know the metal tech rig was running falkens at one point. Not sure what you are going with in the 285 size but my trip out there I was running the wildpeaks and they are amazing on the slick rock. I'm sure you'll be happy with either decision! Have fun and be safe! Jealous you picked up such a great truck!