Michelin XLs

[LuckyPabst]

I never looked.

I picked up a set of 4 XLs back in June for a screaming deal from a Marine heading to Iraq - they came from the same seller in San Diego originally but these are like 97% tread, near new if you will, in far better shape than the ones I have on now but still with cracks. I guess I'll have to test them shortly, once I get the front end aligned.

Chris

[MarknessMonster]

The cause is global warming.

Honestly, I think humidity and altitude play a role in the rate at which the rubber deteriorates. Higher altitudes have more ultraviolet rays that will break down the rubber faster. High temps and low humidity cause the plasticizers in the rubber to evaporate faster.

Also, a typical desert environment may often experience large temperature variations in short time periods likely similar to many parts of CO where one can often experience a 50+ degree temperature change in a 24 hour period. The daily cycle of large temperature swings causes many plastics to expand and contract at an unusually rapid rate. Plastics will often "crystallize" or simply become hard and brittle, and eventually separate or fall apart.

Some good examples are rubber bands, auto weather-stripping or plastic windows in your home.

[DNL]

As I always, I would recommend 38x13x16 Swampers. Not quite as tall as the 11x16 XLs, and a bit wider, but they fit on a stock rim, and have awesome traction, and are somewhat regrooveable once worn down to the wear bars. Mine live outside and have some weather checking (cracking) in the sidewalls, but have not failed yet. I run the rears at 12 psi, and the fronts at 35 psi, as I do not have PS and running the fronts at 12 makes the truck hella hard to steer. They are bias ply, so you can use cheap tubes.


Dave

[MarknessMonster]

What are my tire choices in a radial tire?? Swampers, do they make a radial that tall?

As I always, I would recommend 38x13x16 Swampers...They are bias ply, so you can use cheap tubes.

I'm starting to realize why Bob YELLS all the time.

No offense, Cowen.

[fisherman]

Well if someone lets a question and answer like that get under their skin, well they need to get a life. My question was more to see what others might be running. I don't know every tire brand/size available. NOW WHAT DID YOU SAY. I might need to type in caps soon, I can't even start a new paragragh, and I type too fast.

[gun512]

they still run them out here in Iraq, you don't see many, but they have them. Actually right behind were my office is they have probably 10 sets of new XZL's with the little nipples still on them.

[Doug]

TSL radials are available in 38", but only for 15" and 16.5" rims. 36 is as large as they make for 16" rims.

IROK radials are available in 36, 37, 39.5, and 41 for 16" rims.

[fisherman]

Maybe the Irok's would be a good hit in the 39.5 size. Depending upon their actual measurement of height and width. Might not be the best for everyday street driving. Although they are radials.

[Binford]

But are they narrow enough to fit the stock rims? That's what makes the XL/XZL tires so nice for us. Bonus that they're radials.

[MarknessMonster]

What a confusing thread.

One can buy all kinds of different brands of tires that are approximately 38" diameter. What had started out as "38 inch radials that will fit a stock wheel" has turned into "what tires are available in a height equal to XL's or XZL's".

An answer to the new thread question might include the following list:

1. Super Swamper (S.S.) SSR 38x15.50-16, 38x15.5-16.5, 38x15.50-17
2. S.S. TRXUS 38.5x14.50-16, 38.5x14.50-17, 38.5x14.50-18, 38.5x14.50-20
3. Pit Bull Rocker 39.5x16.50-15, 39.5x16.50-16, 39.5x16.50-16.5, 39x16.50-17
4.Mickey Thompson (M.T.) Baja Claw 38x15.50-15, 38x15.50-20
5. M.T. MTZ same sizes noted above
6. M.T. ATZ same sized noted above
7. many many others...

Let's not make this thread a sticky.