Do Beadlock Wheels Fit Your ATV and UTV Driving Needs?

August 28, 2026

WHEELS & TIRES

Do Beadlock Wheels Fit Your ATV and UTV Driving Needs?

Are Beadlock Wheels the Best Choice For Your ATV or UTV?

If you've got a new ATV, UTV, or side-by-side in your driveway that you're looking to upgrade, you're probably wondering whether or not beadlock wheels are the right call for your build. Of course, they do have plenty of advantages that they bring to the table, but with that being said, do you actually need them for your machine?

Today, we'll be talking about beadlock vs. non-beadlock wheels, what sets them apart, when beadlocks really earn their keep, and what you should know before you buy. Many riders ask themselves "Do I really need beadlock wheels? What are the advantages of having them?" and we'll be taking you through both of those answers below. Check it out!

01How Are Beadlock Wheels Different From Non-Beadlock Wheels?

As many of you know, most ATVs and UTVs come equipped with your standard non-beadlock wheels from the factory. You might not think anything of that, and rightfully so because you shouldn't have to, but picture this.

It's a beautiful weekend, and you decide to head out trail riding. Everything seems to be going fine, and then bam, you start to notice your machine pulling to one side. You pull over, hop off, and lo and behold, your tire is flat.

In that situation you might be thinking, "Well, I could just plug the gash with a couple of tire plugs, air it back up, and be on my way." Unfortunately, that won't cut it. If you try to limp the machine down the trail on a non-beadlock wheel, the tire will eventually unseat from the rim. Riders call this a bead unseating or a burped bead, and at that point you've ruined the tire and potentially the wheel too.

That's exactly where beadlock wheels come into play. A beadlock wheel has an outer ring that is bolted to the wheel, mechanically clamping the tire bead against the rim on both sides, creating what's known as a two-sided beadlock. A standard non-beadlock wheel only holds the tire in place with air pressure at a single point of contact. The beadlock physically hugs the tire bead from both sides, so even if you lose air pressure, the tire cannot unmount and come off the wheel.

In that trail-side scenario, the beadlock keeps everything intact and lets you limp the machine back to the trailer, a nearby town, or a road where someone can come get you, instead of being stranded with a destroyed wheel.

02The Case for Airing Down and Why Beadlocks Make It Possible

Beyond emergency situations, beadlock wheels unlock something that serious off-road riders already know: airing down.

Running lower tire pressure, sometimes as low as 3 to 5 PSI depending on terrain, dramatically increases your tire's contact patch with the ground. On rock crawling terrain, that means better grip and more controlled movement over obstacles. In mud or soft terrain, it means the tire can wrap and conform around what's underneath it rather than skipping over the surface. Machines like the Polaris RZR or Can-Am Maverick are already capable rigs, and airing down amplifies what they can do in technical terrain.

The problem with airing down on a standard non-beadlock wheel is exactly what was described above. Drop your PSI too low and you risk unseating the bead mid-ride, which can mean a dangerous loss of control and a long walk back. Beadlocks eliminate that risk entirely by holding the bead in place mechanically regardless of what pressure you're running.

If you've ever searched "how low can I air down my ATV tires" and come up short, beadlock wheels are the answer that unlocks that capability safely.

03Should You Get Beadlock Wheels For Your Machine?

There's no question that beadlock wheels offer real advantages for riders who spend time on demanding terrain. Whether you're rock crawling, working through mud, or pushing hard on technical trails, beadlocks give you both the capability and the peace of mind that a standard setup can't match.

That said, if the majority of your riding is casual trail work or recreational laps where you're not airing down and not pushing into extreme terrain, a quality non-beadlock setup will still do the job. Beadlocks are a worthwhile upgrade, but they're most worthwhile when your riding actually puts them to work.

Our inventory is full of some of the top beadlock wheels on the market, and we're happy to help you find the right fitment for your machine and riding style.

04What to Know Before You Buy

One thing worth knowing before you pull the trigger: beadlock wheels do require a small amount of ongoing maintenance that standard wheels don't. Because the outer beadlock ring is held in place by a series of bolts, those bolts need to be checked and re-torqued periodically, especially after your first few rides on a new set. Vibration from trail riding can cause them to back off slightly over time, and keeping them properly torqued is important for both safety and performance.