Spotlight: KMC KM552 IMS and KM238 VI Beadlock Off-Road Wheels

While off-road tires like the new BFGoodrich T/A K03 might get most of the hype among the masses, any off-roader can attest to the importance of a wheel designed to go off the beaten path. Cheap, low-quality wheels can bend or break while running through the trails and bashing into rocks, leading to flat tires and stranded rigs and riders. That’s where dedicated off-road wheels come in like the new KM552 IMS and KM238 VI Beadlocks from KMC Wheels.

The KM552 IMS wheels were designed as a reimagined version of the brand’s popular Impact race wheel but with a few tweaks, including a new simulated beadlock. Made to look the part, the KM552s do not actually have a beadlock around the wheel that holds the tire in place. This design choice adds the cool look that off-roaders love without incurring the big jump in price that comes with a functional beadlock wheel.

The new IMS wheels are available in 17-, 18-, and 20-inch sizes, getting rid of the 16-inch option from the Impact line. By ditching the smaller size for a larger 20-inch wheel, KMC increased the line’s overall strength, with the KM552s supporting up to 3,700 pounds each compared to the 2,500-pound limit on the original Impacts.

Available in various bolt patterns and offsets, these wheels should fit most 5-, 6-, and 8-lug trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. With three finishes to choose from, buyers can customize their rigs with an all-black look, a machined face with a black lip, or a matte bronze finish with a black lip. Prices range from $347 to $475 each, which is right on par with other off-road brands like Fuel and Black Rhino.

For off-road enthusiasts doing something a bit more aggressive than basic trail running, a true beadlock may be a necessity. Beadlocks are special wheels with removable rings designed to smash the bead of the tire between the inner and outer rings of the wheel. Popular among drag racers and off-roaders alike who operate at lower tire pressures, this type of wheel forces the tire and wheel to always spin together. This ensures the best traction possible while keeping the tire from popping off the rim. That’s where the new KMC KM238 VI Beadlocks come in.

Available in only 17x9 or 20x10 sizes, the KM238s have a six-spoke design and a true beadlock ring around the edge. The face of the wheel is available in either a machined or black finish, but the beadlock ring is only available in silver. Each of the two sizes comes in a single 5-, 6-, and 8-lug bolt pattern, and they’re priced at either $566 for the 17-inch or $675 for the 20-inch unit. This makes them a little more expensive than the Vision 398 Manx Beadlocks which start at $328 each, but they’re the exact same price as the Fuel FC125s at $675.

While KMC has the new KM238s listed along with all finish and size combinations, they’re not available for purchase just yet. Potential buyers can add the new wheels to their wish lists, but all styles are still unavailable. With the wheels being announced just a few days ago, we expect to see them go live before the end of the month.

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