All Entries in the "Tundra Wheels and Tires" Category

Wobblin Wheels – The Next Step Beyond Spinners

The aftermarket wheel industry is full of examples of the power of visual novelty. Anything that will get the attention of passersby, or that can stand out from the crowd is devoured by custom car and truck builders looking for an edge (see the success of dub rims or spinners). The latest fresh face on the “how’d they do that” after market wheel scene is the Wobblin Wheel, a new wheel concept that managed to snag a Global Media award at the 2010 SEMA show.

TundraHQ’s own editor and site admin Jason Lancaster was able to speak with one of the developers behind the Wobblin Wheel to get a better idea of how exactly this unique rim was engineered.

Amazing Bullet-Proof Tire Coming To A Truck Near You

Armored vehicles do an excellent job of protecting soldiers and police personnel from bullets, shrapnel and other dangers encountered in the line of duty.  Traditionally, however, these types of vehicles have always presented the same weak leak that can in some cases mean the difference between life and death:  completely exposed rubber tires.

Steel might be able to resist the explosive force of an improvised explosive device, but the rubber that is used in making the tires that support the massive weight of these vehicles has lagged behind in terms of strength and resistance to puncture.  It’s not just rocket-propelled grenades or machine gun fire that shreds tires, either – debris in the road, a hazard on both war-torn and peaceful roadways alike, can also quickly stop a convoy due to tire damage.

The Resilient Techologies Non-Pneumatic Tire. Yes, even military auto shows apparently hire models.

When tires blow in a hostile situation, the lack of mobility and the exposure of soldiers forced to replace those tires in order to get moving again puts lives at risk.  Run-flat tire technology cribbed from civilian designs is only so effective in a combat zone, as both speed limitations imposed on damaged wheels as well as the distances between safe areas can both conspire against the safety of military personnel.  These unique conditions, encountered every day by U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, prompted Resilient Technologies to create the Non-Pneumatic Tire.