Damage to Steelies While Wheeling

I have been running RoadReady steelies for about 18 months and I have damaged 3 to point that they needed replacing. The damage is caused by the rear slipping off a rock at low speeds and typically bending the outside bead and in one case tweaking the whole wheel. I am running 235/85 r16 skinny tires. I generally run 20psi when on trail. I don't wheel hard; most of this are on rough trails but we're not talking Rubicon level. I do generally have ~300lbs of gear in the bed when out and about (BAMF rack, Tent, Awning, fridge, battery, etc.).

Current damage pic.


So, are the RoadReady wheels low quality?

Would wider tires better protect the wheel bead?

Will alloy wheels mitigate or exasperate this issue? Note that I have TRD Pro alloys fitted with the stock Wranglers for Mall terrain driving.

Your feedback is appreciated.

 

BFH and a couple love taps and she’s back in business

That’s the beauty of steelies, yes?

 

Alloy wheels definitely aren't better, I've gouged one of my trd pros so far, if they were steel it probably would've been a small scratch that could be painted. As for width, it makes me feel better having a thicker tire stick out, but it'd probably slip about the same when deflated. Sure can't hurt though, if it pushes the wheel a fraction of an inch it can prevent a dent.

 

Wider tires would help prevent that. A 235 is narrow to the point of being flush with the lip of the wheel. Anything you hit off road will catch that lip as you’ve found. Even a 255 or 265 would suffice.

 

Steelies are way more durable than alloys.

Wider tires will definitely help.

I run 235 85 16 for the on road mpg benefits. Since you use separate wheels/tires you don't have to worry about that. In your shoes would keep the steelies and get some 255 85 16.

 

weld on some rings and it'll never happen again!

 

That is small damage. Its easily repaired by a wheel shop. No, I don't mean the local tire shop. The tire shop is "skilled" in changing rubber, not in wheel repair.

Hunt around. Talk to a body shop, they may have references.

 

Hello Robert, a few tire brands have rim protectors on the tires. Check out Generals and Hankooks for examples.
For the rim damage you can do a lot of reshaping with a few sizes of crescent wrenches, work from the edge to the middle a little at a time and adjust the wrench as you go. You will need to at least break the bead of the tire, or dismount the tire to do the repair. Youtube has examples of straightening wheels.
Your wheel can be straightened, just make sure it is not cracked.

Robert Powell in AZ