The Dec. issue of Offroad had a short blurb in the front on Michelin XLs and XMLs. I've been using Michelin all steel tires for 31 years and 500,000 miles. I've used their military tires since about '86. I run 325/85R16 XMLs (38.7/13") on my F350 expedition truck; 11.00R16 XLs (38.7"/10.9") on my diesel M37; 8.25R16 XZLs (34/9") on our BJ60 diesel Land Cruiser; 9.00R16 XLs (36.1/9.9") on our B1PW Power Wagon; and putting 9.00R16 XZLs (36.5/10.3") on my Cummins diesel powered '66 FJ45LV wagon.
These tires are all steel - 1 ply sidewall, very thick rubber, 4 steel ply tread. They tend to have very high load ratings. The 8.25s are 3200 lb @ 65, the 11.00s are 4750 @ 80, the 325s 5070 @ 65 psi. In 32 years I've had about 5 slow leaker puncture flats (nails, a railway spike) and never a major failure. They tend to be very expensive new. The 325s go for $4-700 new. But I paid US$125 each for the 325s with 19/32" tread (new is 21/32") used from Dollar Tire (www.dollartire.com) in Edmonton Alberta. They also sell (slightly) used 9.00 and 11.00R16 XLs. These two sizes fit on stock pickup 16" rims (6-7"). Even the 9.00s are rated at 3070 lb @ 55 psi, 3500 @ 65 and 4500 @ 80. They are rated at 62-75 mph but if you use them fast on Interstates just add 5-10 psi and expect faster wear.
The XZLs are much better for road bias use (80/20), harder tread rubber and quieter. The XLs are unbeatable, better than Swampers and almost as good as Boggers offroad. I've only had the 325 XMLs on for a short while.
Don't buy them from Safari Gard unless you enjoy throwing money away. Really, military takeoffs are the best deal. Both the US and Canadian militaries take tires off sometimes when they have nearly all their tread left!
IMHO these are the tires to have if you are looking for ultimately strong radials with super aggressive tread and very high load capacities. They are in the narrow end of the spectrum. If you have the correct gearing it usually requires much less lift to mount narrow than wide tires.
9.00R16s will fit a solid axle leaf sprung (NOT a TTB!) Ford stock with only bumper removal or surgery. 11.00s fit my 350 with a 2" full length add-a-leaf on stock 7" rims. The 325s required Sawzall work on the rear corner of the front wheelwells and rub the plastic fender liner a bit on 10" rims with stock backspacing.

Charlie Aarons
Anchorage, Alaska

never mind my post I was reading something else then read the tire thing.

do they make something in the 38 x 12.50 x 16.5 range?

great info i just did sledgehammer in my scout on the 1100R16's they worked great! I would like to locate some of the wider ones in the so cal san diego area if any one knows where I can find them here thanks

PICTURES PICTURES PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!:usa:

Love to see some shots of your rigs!!!!

Originally posted by fcfred
do they make something in the 38 x 12.50 x 16.5 range?

Looks like the 325/85R16's are ~38.7X13, which is actually quite a bit taller than a 38X12.50 Swamper, but not that much taller than advertised height. Forget about finding 'em for 16.5" rims, you don't want those anyway.

TEX

There's pictures of my F350 on the 11.00R16s (now it has the 325s) on www.ford-diesel.com, "contents", "featured rigs", "Charlie Aaron's rig".
Charlie

http://www.ford-diesel.com/

Sean

http://www.ford-diesel.com/contents/getitems.php3?Charlie%20Aaron%27s%20Truck


TEX

I have a buddy who runs these on his homebuilt Sniper creation...and the problem is, the sidewalls are VERY VERY stiff (hence the big weight ratings). It's almost impossible to get much sidewall flex out of the, especially in a lighter rig, even with very low pressures.

Certianly not like what you can get from a Bogger or TSL/TSLSX

Tough and tall though....

here's a pic

http://www.rightcoastcrawler.com/trails/cripplecreek/20011013/RueGall/Dcp_3354.jpg

is he running that new high clearance portal tierod?

LOL :D :D

The way he drives it, you'd swear there was no throttle at all....just 2 switches

1) Full Awwwn- like all the freakin' way
and
2) Off

They flex well with 3000 lb/tire at 15-20 psi...
Consider what they are designed for: the LAV armored car which weighs in 28,000 lb, an 8X8. Actually even on my M37 (about 1500 lb./tire) they flex well at "intermediate" pressures of 15-20. I run them at 35 on road and don't drop them unless I need to. They flex FAR better than something comparable like a 38/12.5-16 or 15/39.5-16.5 bias tire at 25-35 psi.
On the F350 I ran the 11.00s at 50-60 on road and the 325s at 40. Dropping them by 35-65% gives great sidewall flex.
Charlie

Thanks for posting this Charlie! new/inovative stuff is what has made pirate 4x4 the best board on the web! and the post is from a newby! get it!

I sell the tires new, the XML's are 380US per tire, the 11.00x16 is 340, and the 9.00x16XL is 275US per tire.
These tires have lots of sidwall flex if they are on a heavier rig, they are on my diesel and I get a huge tread patch at 7psi.
I have pics of just the tires if someone wants post them for me I will email the pics to them.
Don

How about those Tex. Groove em to the cords and those tires might be the way to go with the advertized height sanctioning bodies.

Thanks for the info, and that's a sweet expedition rig :D

Originally posted by fcfred
do they make something in the 38 x 12.50 x 16.5 range?

The 11.00R16 is 39" tall

michelin rates em all at around 60 mph max speed...I was looking at them a few weeks ago.

are they safe on a regular truck at 75-95 mph (11x16's)?

95 mph Dang!!! Just a litle fast, dont you think??

Here's what I do: when I was running the 11.00s on the F350 the wieght table called for 50 psi F/R. The speed rating is 62 mph. I figure for running up to 75 add 10 lbs. If you were loaded all the way up to 80 psi obviously it wouldn't be real bright to drive at 75! But for high speed running I put 60 in them. I think they are safe at high speeds, but over 75 they would wear pretty fast and get pretty warm.
I think the XZL tread is superseding the XL in 9.00 and 11.00R16, and the XZL is a harder rubber and runs cooler and quieter at high speeds, but isn't quite as good (80%?) offroad.
Charlie

Thanks Charles, this is some good information.

Charlie, that's one really nice pick up!

Any shots on the Cruisers and M37????????

I've got family up in the Wasilla- Big Lake area.

A small world on the POR BB!!!!!:usa: :usa: :usa:

thanks for the compliments. since the pictures were made, it has had added:
NP203/205 doubler transfer case
325/85R16 XMLs
Rockram system

Charlie

Direct link to his truck:

http://www.ford-diesel.com/contents/getitems.php3?Charlie%20Aaron%27s%20Truck

I'm pretty sure that these are also the tires we are speaking of, although I don't know what size or style they are. I found this pic on another post on POR but can't remember where. I believe the truck was built by Wagoner Machine Shop. (Just trying to give credit where credit is due.

http://www.patooyee.alloffroad.com/monster.jpg

J. J.

Originally posted by patooyee
I'm pretty sure that these are also the tires we are speaking of, although I don't know what size or style they are. I found this pic on another post on POR but can't remember where. I believe the truck was built by Wagoner Machine Shop. (Just trying to give credit where credit is due.

http://www.patooyee.alloffroad.com/monster.jpg

J. J.

I know this guy! Been wanting to post some pics but they are too big. The owner was over here last week with a pic album. they are 50" michs, cost him $40 each X 10 = $400, 2.5 ton rockwells,6.72 gears, full hydro steering spolled F7R he broke a front DETROIT 1st trip out! 400 sbc t350 x2..203 reduction boxes and a 205 tcase.all clocked for clearence. coils F&R 3 link F&R

Are the 1100R16 the biggest of the 16 inch tires? 38" is nice but I would like to get into the 42-44" range without spending a fortune. Daniel's 1400R20s look pretty good for $150 but 48s are going to be a little big (for D60/C14 @ 4.56), shipping across the country is going to hurt, and really don't want 20" rims.

Oh, anyone in the SW (preferably around Phoenix) selling these things (pull-offs)?

http://truckus.webmichelin.com/
theres the web site

How much does one of those even weigh?

Their biggest 16" are 325/85R16 XML. They are 38.7" tall, 13" wide. I'm running them on my F350 expedition truck on 10" wide rims. Rated at 5-7- lb at 65 psi; I run them at 40 psi. Maybe i'll bump them to 45 for road trips.
Charlie

Charles, has your truck done any expeditions in the 49th state before going to exotic locations? Or do you wheel your 'cruisers in the Anchorage area, like Knik, Ruby Lake, Boulder Creek, etc?

Anyone got more pics of that toyota? That thing is bad as!

holy shit the Green thing is so bad who built it wagoneer or who?? I love it !:eek: :smokin:

Originally posted by Jeepmangled87
holy shit the Green thing is so bad who built it wagoneer or who?? I love it !:eek: :smokin:

Owner Builder is Ken Hance of Telico Ok

Originally posted by BadDog
Are the 1100R16 the biggest of the 16 inch tires? 38" is nice but I would like to get into the 42-44" range without spending a fortune. Daniel's 1400R20s look pretty good for $150 but 48s are going to be a little big (for D60/C14 @ 4.56), shipping across the country is going to hurt, and really don't want 20" rims.

Oh, anyone in the SW (preferably around Phoenix) selling these things (pull-offs)?

I know dealers tire has a shitload of used 16.00R20s... but those are damn big. You might go down there & check with them though, they always have various used stuff in & out...

The biggest 16s are 325/85R16 XMLs which are the same height as 11.00s (38.7") but 13" wide, I have a set on 16X10" rims on my F350.
Charlie