Everyone with Bighorns - Question

OK, I can't keep air in my rear tires. What kind of pressure is everyone running? I think I might have made a mistake going to 14" wheels because I get less sidewall with my 26" tires. I normally try to run about 14 psi. Too much / not enough? I've got so many plugs in these things it's not even funny. Put 3 plugs in the sidewalls friday, went for a ride and yesterday both were flat again. I'm buying the 30 pack of plugs from Wally World now.

I'm thinking of going with 2 GBC Dirt Commanders on the rear and see what happens with them. They are a bias tire so the tire and sidewall I think they will be thicker rubber thoughout the tire. What do you guys think?

Maybe I just need to get down to WV and get some driving lessons, or it might be that my Ranger (full size) needs to go on a diet these things are pigs.

I run 12 psi in my Rhino and I have a rear cage and seats in mine so we are probably close in weight. I would say you are losing pressure with all the plugs in them. You could always run tubes inside them I guess.

i got 14" wheels and 26" Bighorns i run 12lbs in mine also.

Tighten you Valve stems , or replace them , look for cracks in the wheels , few things to try.

I would say after you've got sidewall punctures that are plugged, it is time to buy new tires. You could pull the tire off I guess and try and patch on the inside, but I'd be concerned it wouldn't hold. Bighorns are usually one of the toughest tires but there are some higher ply makes out there now so they might be worth a try. I run about 8-10 psi in mine, but I've got bead locks. I ran 12 before beadlocks.

Thanks for the replys everyone. I'm going to go with 2 Dirt Commanders on the rear. They are bias ply (rated at 8 ply I think) so they should be thicker on the sidewalls and I hope they will hold up a little better. I know for a fact that the Bighorns are leaking at the plugs, I can't get them to stop even after 10+ plugs so its time for a few new ones. The wife is starting to call the Ranger a golf cart now because every time I come back from a ride it needs something done to it. My last ride was on one of the only state trails in Maryland and it was after a bunch of rain and it was ROCKY. I had to stop twice in about 10 miles to plug both rear tires so I could get back to the trailer.

Also wanted to add just for anyone reading. I think you can blame in on some "operator error" also for the decision to go to 14" rims, alot less sidewall and room to flex before it hits the rim. If anyone were to ask about rim size I would stay with 12" or go with a taller tire to keep as much sidewall as possible especially if you ride in the rocks.

Be careful putting two tires from different manufacturers on. They really need to be the EXACT same size (height) or you could mess up your differentials or tranny. You really can't go by what the tire says on the side wall, an example is that bighorns typically run 1" taller than they actually are.

Just be careful if you only do two tires.

I've been running 14's before and after beadlocks. I think there are pro's and con's of each. 12's should be a little more pliant, giving more room for flex and absorbing bumps a little better. 14's should probably handle a little better with less sidewall roll.

As far as cutting down the sidewalls this is how I see them. 12's have more side wall to puncture or cut. 14's might be more succeptible to a pinch because the wheel is closer to the ground or rocks and as the tire gives it has less distance to compress to be pinched between rocks and the rim.


That is how my mind envisions it anyway. Anyone can feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

By the way, if I had to do it all over again, I'd keep the Bighorns on the rear, but I think I'd try and put something with a little bit more of a directional tread on the front. I feel the Bighorn allow a little too much push on the front with the multi-directional tread, especially as the conditions get wet and sloppy. If you leave it in 4wd, it doesn't push as much with the tires pulling through the corners.

Tiger Rag wrote:

By the way, if I had to do it all over again, I'd keep the Bighorns on the rear, but I think I'd try and put something with a little bit more of a directional tread on the front. I feel the Bighorn allow a little too much push on the front with the multi-directional tread, especially as the conditions get wet and sloppy. If you leave it in 4wd, it doesn't push as much with the tires pulling through the corners.

I'm getting in late on this, but I run 14" x 26" Bighorns on my RZR. Ten psi, front, and 15 psi, rear, to allow drifting turns. Even at these pressures I still had grass wedged in a front tire bead after riding outlaw trails at Wagon Wheel last week. I never ride in 4WD until the deep stuff. Turn in early, then gas it!