Split rims have to go

Link to the actual bit that I sent you to

Thanks Utemad. I thought they would fit but I just remember reading otherwise on the forum one time.

Hi Equinox,

I should start off by saying that I have had split rims for over 3 years and have had no problems until my trip last month.

On that trip I had one tube develop a slow leak before even getting off the tar, another was completely destroyed and ripped right down the seam, and another was punctured but it looked like it had worn.

These were brand new tubes and tyres. Now there could be a couple of reasons why this occured. I figure that they could have been dodgy tubes, although they were Michelin which I believe to be a reputable brand.

There could have been some crap in the tubes which eventually wore on the tubes.

Maybe the pressures I was running were too low and caused a heat build up. I was running Cooper st and because of their well known chipping problems I ensured tyre pressures were a bit lower than I would usually run. Perhaps this was too low for the split rim set up.

I don't really know the reason but a conversation I had with a tyre guy (not the one I got the tyres from) before I left on my trip sticks in my mind. He said that whilst split rims had their advantages there were basically more things that could go wrong with them, i.e. you may simply have problems with the tubes rather than having something puncture the tyre. This is exactly what happened to me. There was no punctures but the tubes just faultered for whatever reason.

I do not want to have to go through that again so I am changing to one piece rims. My friend however who has much more experience than myself absolutely loves splitties and has had very few problems.

I did not let this spoil my trip however and I just saw it as part of the adventure and a real learning experience.

Cheers

Thanks Phil,

I hope I have as much trouble free running as you have once I made the switch.

Now all I have to do is find some suitable rims.

Earvin,

Not sure what vehicle you have, (I'm guessing a Hilux), but I'd go the 16x6 rims for a 225 tyre - Prado RV, Navara, early Jackaroo etc Just want to be sure the offset is OK.

If you get the 16x7, then I've heard the Prado GXL rims fit nicely on the IFS Hilux.

Cheers
Phil

I have the IFS Hilux and I am looking for some Prado rims but they seem hard to come by. I want the 16x7 as I intend to go to 245/75 when I wear the Coopers out.

Why would a 16x6 be preferable in your opinion?

16x6 are preferable for the skinnier 225 tyres because they are less likely to come off rims when aired down in sand or mud, and easier to reinflate tubeless if they do.

But from what you've described, the 16x7 are better for you because the 245/75R16 fit up nicely on the 7 inch rims.

You can also get the 16x7 Prado Kimberley mags for a very cheap price from some dealers and tyre shops (eg Ballarat Toyota).

Cheers
Phil

pjd they are Cooper ST's - tubeless tyres so no problems there.

Yeah my Rodeo with it's manual locking hubs and part time 4wd is so old hat. The only reason I don't bin it is because of its tubeless rims.

Aandy - one thing at a time. I will get rid of the manual locking hubs and part time 4wd in good time :)

By all means hang on to it Utemad. It's similar to the 1979 FJ55 Landcruiser I had some time ago and believe me I had a lot of fun in it!

The quality of tubes these days leave a lot to be desired .....now can you please tell us why this is so ????

Cheap imports...resellers don't care.....more money to be made if tubes fail.........

Hi Willem,

When I was under a different name I actually sought your advice re: the splits via member msg before my trip. Unfortunately it just went a bit pear shaped on the trip and after that it was easy to make up my mind to go to one piece rims. You are obviously happy with the change from splits so far.

I kept a look out for you on my travels as Ruth said you were around but must have just missed you at Innamincka, probably passed by you in the dust storm :)

Hi Earvin

Yes that was some dust storm. We high tailed it in and out of Coongie in a morning. Will have to go back some other time and relax by the cool waters chasing flies :o)

Willem,

We stayed one night at Coongie and it was definitely the pick of the camp sites for our trip. Wish we could have stayed longer.

We were travelling along the Walkers Crossing track when the storm hit, and it was a real challenge to see the road. The guy I was travelling with went a bit stir crazy prior to the storm and took off towards Innamincka, leaving us behind. He only had handheld UHF so he was soon out of range. We did not see him again until Innamincka where he turned up two hours after us. He had gotten himself lost in the storm.

A good reason to all stick together when you are travelling.

Hi Mark,

I had brand new rust bands and Michelin Tubes which were made in Italy. Not sure of the quality of tubes from Italy.

Earvin, it is highly likely that you or your tyre supplier never bothered to COMPLETELY remove the little stickers that are placed inside new tyres.
I had the same problems you are talking about with new Cooper AT's. The tyre supplier/ fitter tried to fob me off initially but when I contacted the distributor I was offered a pro rata discount on a new tyre as one was destroyed as it went flat due the inner tube rubbing through on the sticker.
All the other tyres were inspected, the offending stickers removed and in one case a distinct rectangular rubbing pattern could be clearly seen on the tube.
The tyre industry knows about this. I am told these tyres also fit tubeless rims, where the stickers do not matter.

BUT YOU MUST REMOVE THEM FOR SPLIT RIMS.

I am happy with split rims, they are easy to fix and I had no more punctures (2) than one could expect during the life of the previous set of Cooper tyres ( which apparently had the stickers removed).
Klaus

Hi Klaus
That is interesting because I did notice the stickers on the inside of the tyres when I dismantled them.

Cheers

Mark: would like to know which company makes their tubes in Australia...the ones you reckon are thicker than those pesky Korean ones ??? rust bands are part and parcel of tubed rims...or am I going potty ??