Michelin XLs

[Fastfrankie]

Lucky,

Those Michelins in the pictures are what I refer to as "Maypops" - may pop now, may pop later. Dude, they are dry rotted and cracked pretty good...those tires were shot well before the tire grenaded.
That is exactly why I wouldn't pay $500 for a brand new set of XL's no matter how new they were. Like I said, when I saw a set that had less than 100 miles on them and were on a garage kept Power Wagon with cracks, I knew any others I would see down the road were going to have the same problem. Sure enough, I have yet to see any XL's with cracks...you may be able to use them, but I would only use them as bumpers on pilings when you dock your boat!
Stick with new rubber...I bought a new set of Power Kings for $160 out the door each - fresh and they look great. Sure they may be two inches shorter than a XL, but at least I am worry free for the next decade!
Just my two cents!

[Binford]

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".

Not really. It started as a "See? XLs are crap" thread and then Fisherman, probably typing quickly, raised the question:

"Ok so lets say I don't want to run the Michelins, but want a tire similiar in size. At least 38" actual measurement tall. What are my tire choices in a radial tire?? Swampers, do they make a radial that tall? Anyone have any other tires they know of that will fit on a stock or 8" wheel??"

But folks started putting out all these tires with widths like 15.50, 14.50, 16.50, etc., such as on Markness' list. Dude, those tires won't fit a stock 8" wide rim.

So the question raised has remained the same, you just separated the height and width components. The question remains, what other tire meets the same requirements as the XL: 1) radial 2) 38"+ tall and 3) fits a stock 8" rim.

[MarknessMonster]

The question remains, what other tire meets the same requirements as the XL: 1) radial 2) 38"+ tall and 3) fits a stock 8" rim.

That's precisely what my recent post was attempting to explain. Per the original question, I understood that one was requesting a radial tire in 38" diameter size that would fit on a stock wheel, such as do the XL's and XZL's. Then I read some post replies about fat bias tires that would only fit a custom wheel and wondered why someone would post this information other than to confuse some new guys that might not know the difference.

A specific question was asked that received replies that were not relevant to the specification requested. Suddenly, the question changed to "what are you other guys running in a 38 inch tire"? So, my recent post listed several possibilities. Hence, the confusion.

[fisherman]

No confusion for me, just wanted to know what others might be running. You never know when something new comes out. Or weather someone finds some other tires that fit and work well. Thanks for the replies.

[vrod02]

I got mine from Al. Rob got his from Tenn. 60-70%ers with absulutely no cracks. Been abusing mine all summer down the road, rock crawlin, ect no problems. Maybe it does have something to due with what part of the country they were sitting in

[LuckyPabst]

"The bias construction reduces the chances of sidewall splitting when run off road at low air pressure"

I just saw this on 4wheel parts website as I was looking at some swampers. Is it safe to say that radials are more prone to sidewall splits at low psi, even in new condition? Add to the mix old dry rubber and I guess I'm setting myself up for tire failure. Maybe I should stick with 20 psi and no less.

Chris

[Binford]

Don't know too much about it, but bias construction is supposed to result in stronger sidewalls. Radials flex more and thus their sidewalls are not as strong. Or vice versa.

Not sure if radials are more prone to sidewall splits, per se, but certainly have weaker sidewall construction.

[LuckyPabst]

Interesting - that's the first I'd ever heard of the difference (or maybe the first I ever paid attention).

Chris

[Binford]

As I recall, the plies in a bias tire run from the bead across the tread to the other bead (perpendicular to the direction of travel) while radial plies run in generally the same direction as travel.

I'm sure a tire guy will show up soon to flesh this out for us.