Bead lock or not?

[whysoserious]

It's SAE J2530 that defines this, and beadlocks do not meet this standard. As SAE is referenced to cover 'safe operation' in many state laws, it begins to apply here. This is why beadlocks are marketed for off-road use only, not because of specific laws calling them out but because they don't meet the SAE standards and therefore could potentially be considered 'less safe'.

Isn't SAE J2530 only a recommended testing standard?

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[sharpsicle]

Isn't SAE J2530 only a recommended testing standard?

Yes. Just like any other standard, be it SAE or ISO or ANSI or whoever. They're only "recommended" if you want to meet them. You can choose not to meet them. A "standard" is not a law, unless it gets codified inside one. But even then, it's the law recognizing the standard, not the standard getting superpowers of enforcement.

This is so simple. Beadlocks don't meet the standard set by SAE for aftermarket wheels on passenger vehicles. So they don't advertise them for highway use. End of story.

If your state chooses to reference SAE standards in their laws for safe vehicle operation, or use SAE standards as the de facto safety standard, then how it gets enforced is up to your state's interpretation of their laws and policies. Despite beadlocks or wheels not being called out specifically in these laws, this is a very real possibility, so the wheel manufacturers are keeping a distance and staying away from claiming that it's road legal so they aren't held liable should a state decide use SAE standards to evaluate them. Should a state choose to use SAE standards as their measuring stick of safety, beadlocks wouldn't be roadworthy and the companies are now covered by claiming "off-road only".

That's the only reason SAE gets in the conversation but also why it's an important piece of the puzzle.

 

[NCJL]

Only get bedlocks it you are willing and capable of doing the extra maintenance.
I run beadlocks for the extra strength at the outer rim area.
To the legality. If the manufacturer says “off-road use only not for Highway use”. They are not legal for highway use. No law or standard will make it OK/in the grey area.
I’ve owned TrailReady, Walker Evans, KMC, and RaceLine, all are Stamped “Not for Highway use”.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Anyone who can prove beadlocks are illegal in any state can make $300 for charity at liftlaws.com. They have had a link up for as long as I can remember.

https://www.liftlaws.com/are_beadlocks_street_legal.htm

 

[mx5red]

I am looking at upgrading my JTM wheels but have not decided if I should go to bead lock or not. I am not doing any rock crawling except what I might find on overland roads. 85% of this trucks driving is daily use. We are going to stay with the stock 33's and increase for some time. So advantages and disadvantages would be helpful.

Not worth it.
So you think you want bead lock wheels?

 

[whysoserious]

Yes. Just like any other standard, be it SAE or ISO or ANSI or whoever. They're only "recommended" if you want to meet them. You can choose not to meet them. A "standard" is not a law, unless it gets codified inside one. But even then, it's the law recognizing the standard, not the standard getting superpowers of enforcement.

This is so simple. Beadlocks don't meet the standard set by SAE for aftermarket wheels on passenger vehicles. So they don't advertise them for highway use. End of story.

If your state chooses to reference SAE standards in their laws for safe vehicle operation, or use SAE standards as the de facto safety standard, then how it gets enforced is up to your state's interpretation of their laws and policies. Despite beadlocks or wheels not being called out specifically in these laws, this is a very real possibility, so the wheel manufacturers are keeping a distance and staying away from claiming that it's road legal so they aren't held liable should a state decide use SAE standards to evaluate them. Should a state choose to use SAE standards as their measuring stick of safety, beadlocks wouldn't be roadworthy and the companies are now covered by claiming "off-road only".

That's the only reason SAE gets in the conversation but also why it's an important piece of the puzzle.

I see where you are coming from. A little research shows that Virginia (§ 46.2-1002) has adopted SAE, ANSI and the federal DOT for testing of vehicle safety equipment.

 

[whysoserious]

Anyone who can prove beadlocks are illegal in any state can make $300 for charity at liftlaws.com. They have had a link up for as long as I can remember.

https://www.liftlaws.com/are_beadlocks_street_legal.htm

FYI, I just sent statutes from the states of Washington and Virginia to liftlaws.com. We'll see what their response is.

 

[Joe Dillard]

I remember when this was debated a little here:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/show...id=15915&highlight=beadlock+legal+rockstomper

 

[bleda2002]

I see where you are coming from. A little research shows that Virginia (§ 46.2-1002) has adopted SAE, ANSI and the federal DOT for testing of vehicle safety equipment.

The virginia statue does not list rims/wheels as safety equipment so its non-applicable it would seem (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter10/#article1/)

 

[whysoserious]

The virginia statue does not list rims/wheels as safety equipment so its non-applicable it would seem (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter10/#article1/)

46.2-1002:
It shall be unlawful for any person to possess with intent to sell or offer for sale, either separately or as a part of the equipment of a motor vehicle, or to use or have as equipment on a motor vehicle operated on a highway any lighting device, warning device, signal device, safety glass, or other equipment for which approval is required by any provision of this chapter or any part or parts tending to change or alter the operation of such device, glass, or other equipment unless of a type that has been submitted to and approved by the Superintendent or meets or exceeds the standards and specifications of the Society of Automotive Engineers, the American National Standards Institute, Incorporated or the federal Department of Transportation.

The virginia statue does not list rims/wheels as safety equipment so its non-applicable it would seem (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter10/#article1/)

I agree that it is not listed. I would argue that wheels are part of the safety equipment since an inspection of the wheels are part of the annual(?) safety inspection in Virginia. And since DOT approved wheels are required to have the DOT symbol on them, beadlocks should fail the inspection as being not for use on a highway.

 

[bleda2002]

46.2-1002:
It shall be unlawful for any person to possess with intent to sell or offer for sale, either separately or as a part of the equipment of a motor vehicle, or to use or have as equipment on a motor vehicle operated on a highway any lighting device, warning device, signal device, safety glass, or other equipment for which approval is required by any provision of this chapter or any part or parts tending to change or alter the operation of such device, glass, or other equipment unless of a type that has been submitted to and approved by the Superintendent or meets or exceeds the standards and specifications of the Society of Automotive Engineers, the American National Standards Institute, Incorporated or the federal Department of Transportation.

I agree that it is not listed. I would argue that wheels are part of the safety equipment since an inspection of the wheels are part of the annual(?) safety inspection in Virginia. And since DOT approved wheels are required to have the DOT symbol on them, beadlocks should fail the inspection as being not for use on a highway.

The statue specifically says equipment listed in the subsequent statues, not listed means not applicable. Considering they even listed air conditioners and tires not listing rims almost seems on purpose. Most likely because classic car rims are not DOT compatible

Edit:
The official Virginia safety inspection also does not list checking for approved types under rims like it does for other equipment. Again this is most likely that DOT was not always stamped on rims so classic car rims will not be stamped but are not excluded from being legal. https://vsp.virginia.gov/safety-and-enforcement/vehicle-safety-inspection/

 

[whysoserious]

The statue specifically says equipment listed in the subsequent statues, not listed means not applicable. Considering they even listed air conditioners and tires not listing rims almost seems on purpose. Most likely because classic car rims are not DOT compatible

Edit:
The official Virginia safety inspection also does not list checking for approved types under rims like it does for other equipment. Again this is most likely that DOT did not always stamp rims so classic car rims will not be stamped but are not excluded from being legal. https://vsp.virginia.gov/safety-and-enforcement/vehicle-safety-inspection/

I'll concede that wheels are not listed as an item not requiring approval under the chapter, but they are part of the annual vehicle safety inspection and will fail if they are for off-road use only.

The statue specifically says equipment listed in the subsequent statues, not listed means not applicable. Considering they even listed air conditioners and tires not listing rims almost seems on purpose. Most likely because classic car rims are not DOT compatible

Edit:
The official Virginia safety inspection also does not list checking for approved types under rims like it does for other equipment. Again this is most likely that DOT was not always stamped on rims so classic car rims will not be stamped but are not excluded from being legal. https://vsp.virginia.gov/safety-and-enforcement/vehicle-safety-inspection/

Virginia Administrative Code:
19VAC30-70-500. Tires, wheels, rims.
Inspect for and reject if:

1. Any tire is marked specifically for use other than on the highway, such as "For Farm Use Only," "For Off-Highway Use Only," any tire marked "Not for Steering Axle," "For Mobile Home Use Only," or "For Trailer Use Only."

 

[bleda2002]

I'll concede that wheels are not listed as an item not requiring approval under the chapter, but they are part of the annual vehicle safety inspection and will fail if they are for off-road use only.

Virginia Administrative Code:
19VAC30-70-500. Tires, wheels, rims.
Inspect for and reject if:

1. Any tire is marked specifically for use other than on the highway, such as "For Farm Use Only," "For Off-Highway Use Only," any tire marked "Not for Steering Axle," "For Mobile Home Use Only," or "For Trailer Use Only."

That's again specifically a tire not a rim so no legal bearing on if the rim needs a dot stamp which in Virginia it does not appear to do so under their statues or vehicle inspection check list.

 

[whysoserious]

That's again specifically a tire not a rim so no legal bearing on if the rim needs a dot stamp which in Virginia it does not appear to do so under their statues or vehicle inspection check list.

My brain was in neutral on that one. Sorry, you are correct.

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