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Best 42” 16.5 Super Swamper for Moab?

2INSANE

6.2/6.5 Diesel Specialist/Builder
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Hello yal! I was wondering what yal think which Super Swamper would be best in Moab? I am fixing to go up to 42” tires and plan on using my 16.5 $2800 Beadlocks…

I know options are limited in the 16.5 but it is what I have and don’t plan on changing the rim size.
 
Never been myself, but word on the street is anything works good on the 20 grit rocks out there.
 
Not trying to be a jerk, but a few observations

I know you like those wheels, but they are a dying size. I’d list them on eBay


Swampers are marginal in Moab. Reason being, they are too hard. They don’t air down and give well, so they don’t wrap the rocks great, and the compounds are too hard. Every tire designed in the last 15 years will work better
 
You're out of luck - they don't have Thornbirds in that size :doah:

Theoretically the IROK bias is a rock crawling tire. The SXII probably works better than the other TSLs because the blocks come pre-cut. Both are available in 42/16.5. They make a Pit Bull Rocker in that size, have you considered that? I haven't run any of these.

Whichever direction you want to go, you should probably call to be sure you can actually get them. Availability has been a big problem.
 
Last I heard Pit Bull was having difficulty filling orders. Been a year so since I heard that. I didn't see the Pit Bull people at KOH Hammer Town this year. Were there the last couple of years with a booth.
 
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Pit bull tires guy went nuts and is probably admitted to a facility by now.

Truth. He was very pro Trump and a couple of years ago lost his mind on social media over politics. Right after that everything went quiet.
 
Moab Motorsports (Rory/ Trail Mater) runs BFG KM3's on every thing he wheels, And 50% worn seems to be the ticket too. Too bad they don't make a 42' or anything for a 16.5 wheel! BFG's are sticky.
 
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Moab Motorsports (Rory/ Trail Mater) runs BFG KM3's on every thing he wheels, And 50% worn seems to be the ticket too. Too bad they don't make a 42' or anything for a 16.5 wheel! BFG's are sticky.

I have these on my rig and they work really well. Surprisingly well, actually. I am very impressed with them
 
I was really impressed with my Nitto Ridge Grapplers last year, the truck went up things it shouldn't have.
 
Which ones are those? U serious or being sarcastic? Lol!
I believe he has SXs, it’s @doubletrouble rig….they worked well but as @mrk5 said his are well worn in. I’m from the east coast and swampers work awesome out here as far as cuts and tears on roots and sharp granite, but like the others have said they are hard and don’t air down well.
 
Did some pricing and checked availability. On hand, I have 3 options from Interco. In the 42” 16.5 rims. Ehh…

Irok’s Bias 24/32nds
TSL Bias 27/32nds
Boggers 30/32nds

My conclusions…

The Boggers are the cheapest per tread depth but are probably going to perform horribly on sandstone.

The Iroks are the most expensive per tread depth and will perform the best of the 3.

The TSL’s are the second cheapest but will perform not as good as the Iroks but better than the Boggers. With some strategic grooving and siping, I think the TSL is a winner. Plus they would be great for those mountain and muddy trails here in Montana me thinks.

Thanks for all the advice gentlemen!
 
Are you charting tread depth for the sake of traction or treadwear? Obviously none of these are street friendly tires, but the Irok is famous for wearing out quick on the street. Since it has so much void between the blocks, there is less total rubber to wear through. Boggers are famous for having rather poor lateral traction, so off-camber on muddy trails is scary. Cutting TSL blocks in half is known to help them flex and gives you more biting edges, more similar to the selection of large radials available now. Of course, it also reduces the tread life since there's less rubber. For trail-only, the life of Swampers comes down to damage and age. Treadwear is more of a street-driven issue.

Also, for the sake of my own personal rant - I wish everyone buying new Swampers would return every out-of-round tire to Interco. Eventually they'd have to make round ones like every other manufacturer has figured out.
 
If you’re not in a hurry you can watch the Interco Blem Page but it’s been a while since I’ve seen big 16.5’s there.
 
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