Product FAQs

What are the advantages of AEV's DualSport Wheels?

Beadlock wheels offer a distinct advantage off-road when running extremely low tire pressures in difficult or soft terrain. However, we recognize that many customers like the look of a beadlock but do not want to deal with the routine maintenance that goes along with installing beadlock wheels on their daily driver. AEV designed the family of DualSport wheels so they can be used as either true beadlock wheels or as non-beadlock wheels by simply swapping out the outer ring and changing the mounting position of the tire. This also allows a customer to purchase a non-beadlock wheel now and be able to upgrade the wheels later by adding the true beadlock ring.

What is the difference between the “Beadlock Ring” and the “Protection Ring”?

The Beadlock Ring is made from forged aluminum and makes the Crestone a true, functional beadlock wheel. The Protection Ring is a non-functional cast aluminum beadlock ring, designed as a sacrificial part to protect the wheel from trail scratches and also provide the same look as the Beadlock Ring.

I am not sure which configuration I want to purchase. Can I buy the wheels now and the rings later?

Yes! We designed the Crestone to look good even without a ring. If you do not want to purchase a ring right now, we can supply you with nylon bolts that are intended to be used without a ring and keep the holes nice and clean so you have no issues installing the ring of your choice when you are ready. Both the Beadlock Ring and the Protection Ring can be purchased separately online or through any AEV Authorized Distributor.

AEV Crestone Beadlock Wheels are DOT compliant, doesn't that mean they are street legal in all 50 states?

Not necessarily. AEV wheels are designed to all applicable DOT Standards regarding wheel construction and have passed the SAE Tests for Radial Fatigue, Impact, and Cornering Fatigue. Currently, DOT or SAE has no specific regulation or test requirements for beadlock wheels. Additionally, some states have laws against multi-piece wheel designs. This means that any beadlock wheel design would technically be illegal in these states. As a consumer, your first step should be to research your state’s laws regarding multi-piece/beadlock wheels before purchasing the Crestone wheel (with the Beadlock Ring) for steet use. AEV recommends purchasing the Crestone wheel with the Protection Ring for daily driven vehicles – this configuration IS street legal in all 50 states. As a general policy, we recommend that beadlock wheels be used for off-road purposes only.

Other companies make beadlock wheels and don't claim they are DOT compliant. What makes the Crestone any different?

Most companies start with a standard steel or aluminum wheel and literally cut off the outer bead and weld on a new beadlock adapter. After this major structural modification, the wheel must be completely re-tested per DOT guidelines in order to claim it is DOT compliant. Most companies don't bother with this and simply don't make the claim. The Crestone is designed and cast as a beadlock wheel, so it is tested to the same SAE standards as any non-beadlock AEV wheel.

Can I run the Crestone wheel with a beadlock ring on the street?

Well, assuming your state has no specific ban on multi-piece wheels, you certainly could. But just because you can, is it a good idea? That depends on you. Beadlock wheels are a specialty piece of equipment and as such take specialty maintenance and awareness to be used safely. If you want them because they look cool, beadlock wheels are certainly not for you – and that is primary reason why we designed the Crestone to be a dual purpose wheel. Proper maintenance of these wheels is critical and requires the consumer to do the initial install correctly, re-torque the wheels at least once a month, and replace all the bolts every year at a minimum. It's a good idea to develop a routine of looking over the wheels at every fuel stop, just as you would check your engine oil. Beadlock wheels are not for everyone and therefore, as a general policy, we recommend that they be used for off-road purposes only.

I want to purchase the Crestone with the Beadlock Ring but I've heard beadlock wheels can't be balanced. Is this true?

There are two sides to this misconception. The first goes back to the old cut and weld method of creating a beadlock wheel. Anytime a wheel is cut and welded, balance can be a major issue and often times it is the wheel causing the issue. AEV Beadlocks are cast as a beadlock and do not experience this issue. Proper balance can also be caused by improper mounting of the tires to the wheels. It is quite common for a tire to be mounted in such a way that the tire is not set on the wheel properly, and this can wreak havoc with balance. It's very important to follow the instructions when installing the functional Beadlock Ring and then drive the vehicle before balancing the tires.

What is the maximum recommended tire size with the Crestone wheel?

The Crestone wheel is designed for up to a 37x12.50R17 tire.

I would like to customize my Crestone wheels to match my vehicle. Do you recommend painting or powder coating my wheels and rings?

Painting is definitely the way to go. As a general safety precaution, AEV does not recommend powder coating any cast aluminum wheels. The heat range and duration of the powder coating process may overlap the heat treating and aging of aluminum wheels. For this reason, powder coated wheels will not be covered under AEV’s lifetime structural warranty.

AEV products are usually made in the USA, so why is the Crestone wheel manufactured overseas?

At AEV, we remain committed to American manufacturing, and we would much rather have our wheels manufactured in the US. But right now, you can’t get wheels made in the USA at aftermarket volumes. Still to this day, the only cast wheel plants left in the US are for high volume OE wheel programs. So unfortunately, buying from China is a necessary evil of being in the aftermarket cast wheel business. We have made the effort to buy from a high quality Chinese plant. Our plant also produces OE wheels for Volkswagen, Audi, BMW and Harley Davidson, among others. Our supplier has American employees on the ground in China who oversee our programs for us, and we have been over to China to inspect and visit the plant in person. When lower volume wheel manufacturing becomes feasible again in the US, we will be first in line.

What is the warranty?

All of AEV’s wheels carry a lifetime structural warranty against manufacturer defects.