What’s the difference between beadlock, simulated beadlock, and standard wheels?

If you have been shopping for aftermarket wheels, you may have come across the terms beadlock, simulated beadlock, and standard wheels. Understanding the differences between these three types can help you choose the right wheel for your build and how you plan to use your truck. Here is a breakdown of each.

Standard wheels

Standard wheels are the most common type of aftermarket wheel and are what most truck builds run. Here is what to know:

• The tire bead seats inside the wheel barrel and is held in place by air pressure alone
• No additional hardware or locking ring is needed to keep the tire in place
• Available in the widest variety of styles, sizes, and finishes
• The most affordable option of the three
• Street legal and suitable for everyday driving as well as most off road applications
• Easy to mount and balance at any wheel and tire shop

Standard wheels are a great choice for the vast majority of truck builds, from daily drivers to lifted show trucks.

Beadlock wheels

Beadlock wheels are designed for serious off road use where airing down tires to very low pressures is necessary for maximum traction on challenging terrain. Here is what to know:

• Feature a physical locking ring that clamps the outer bead of the tire to the wheel, preventing the tire from coming off the wheel at very low air pressures
• Allow drivers to air down tires to extremely low PSI for better traction on rocks, mud, sand, and other challenging terrain without the risk of the tire debeading
• Significantly stronger and more capable in extreme off road situations
• Require more maintenance than standard wheels as the locking ring bolts need to be checked and torqued regularly
• Generally not street legal for use on public roads in most states, so it is important to check your local laws before purchasing
• More expensive than standard or simulated beadlock wheels due to the additional hardware and manufacturing involved
• Must be mounted by a professional familiar with beadlock wheel installation

Real beadlock wheels are best suited for dedicated off road vehicles or trucks that spend a significant amount of time on the trail.

Simulated beadlock wheels

Simulated beadlock wheels offer the aggressive, rugged look of a real beadlock wheel without the functional locking ring. Here is what to know:

• Feature a decorative outer ring that mimics the appearance of a real beadlock wheel
• The ring is purely cosmetic and does not actually lock the tire bead to the wheel
• The tire is still held in place by air pressure, just like a standard wheel
• Street legal and suitable for everyday driving
• More affordable than real beadlock wheels while still delivering the bold, aggressive aesthetic
• Easy to mount and balance at any wheel and tire shop just like a standard wheel

Simulated beadlock wheels are a great choice for truck enthusiasts who love the look of a beadlock wheel but primarily drive on the street or do not need the functional benefits of a real beadlock.

Which type is right for me?

Choosing between beadlock, simulated beadlock, and standard wheels comes down to how you use your truck and the look you are going for:

• Standard: Best for daily drivers, lifted builds, and show trucks that want a wide variety of style options at an accessible price
• Simulated beadlock: Best for builds that want the aggressive beadlock look without the added cost or street legality concerns of a real beadlock
• Real beadlock: Best for dedicated off road builds that require the ability to air down tires to very low pressures for serious trail use

Not sure which type is right for your build?

Use our guided fitment tool on our homepage to explore wheel options for your vehicle, or reach out to our sales team and we will help you find the perfect wheel for your build and how you plan to use it!