vampires, asx vampire combo

[fulleraviation]

Hey Brushcutter,

With the supper terra grips on my Max IV I cannot recall getting more than 5mph in water using a GPS. If these ASX tires give me extra water speed, I would be amazed.

Since I have three weeks until my new tires arrive, I will take down some good numbers on water speed with the 26" Goodyear Supper Terra Grips. I can normally run circles arround any Max II in the water with no problems.

Later,
Rut

[Bw6]

Best Tires

I'm enjoying all the discussion about the "Best Tire", but as a previous poster said "Talk is Cheap". I think we need some "real test data", like I posted on the New 25" Argo Frontier Tire, along with videos showing the test.

WATER:
The water speed test should be fairly easy to do, and document the results with a GPS/Video. I for one am curious about the ASX and the TERRA GRIPS
It would be great if they could be tested on the same machine, in the same conditions. Again like we did comparing the Rawhide III's to the 25" Argo.

MUD:
The mud test again should be done by trying different tires in the same mud hole on the same day, with the same machine. The results could be measured progress or time for a "full run" Again with possibly a GPS/Video.

In my mind this is the only real way to determine tire performance. Comments like: "It was really fast" or "Ask so and so", or "Check out the Video" make for interesting conversation but prove nothing. If we had this data it would save our members a lot of $$$$ buying tires from a lot of hype, only to be disappointed in the results.

I appreciate that tires on different machines will probably differ, due to body style, weight, axle spacing, HP and so forth but some test data is better than nothing.

[boncrshr]

I'm enjoying all the discussion about the "Best Tire", but as a previous poster said "Talk is Cheap". I think we need some "real test data", like I posted on the New 25" Argo Frontier Tire, along with videos showing the test.

WATER:
The water speed test should be fairly easy to do, and document the results with a GPS/Video. I for one am curious about the ASX and the TERRA GRIPS
It would be great if they could be tested on the same machine, in the same conditions. Again like we did comparing the Rawhide III's to the 25" Argo.

MUD:
The mud test again should be done by trying different tires in the same mud hole on the same day, with the same machine. The results could be measured progress or time for a "full run" Again with possibly a GPS/Video.

In my mind this is the only real way to determine tire performance. Comments like: "It was really fast" or "Ask so and so", or "Check out the Video" make for interesting conversation but prove nothing. If we had this data it would save our members a lot of $$$$ buying tires from a lot of hype, only to be disappointed in the results.

I appreciate that tires on different machines will probably differ, due to body style, weight, axle spacing, HP and so forth but some test data is better than nothing.

Ditto....something else I have thought would be beneficial would be a database of tire weight and actual dimensions when mounted on a given rim at a certain psi.

For instance, my 25x13-9 Vampires mounted on MattO rims are actually about 24.5x12.5.

Another thought: Super Swamper TSL tires are known to do well in the mud, but not swim. But as far as I know, only 22" TSL's have been mounted on an amphib. I wonder if 25 or 26" TSL's would swim?? Reason I ask is that I had 22" Kenda Bearclaws that did not swim at all...but MattO had 25's or 26's on a Mud Ox and they swam a little. My theory is that due to the larger displacement of the bigger tires=more flotation=more tire out of the water, which should equal better swimming.

One advantage IMO of the TSL's is that they are a wide tire and hypothetically should not dig down as fast as the Vampires due to the 1/2" lugs. Also, they are pretty cheap.

[SWAMP HAWG]

Thats good news about the ASX coming back.
I wish Interco would make shorter version it for the Max II / Attex crowd

[brushcutter]

Rut, wish I had taken down some actual numbers before I traded my 22's to Matt to get my Mudbugs on. It would have been nice to do the actual tire swap and tests for some solid data. I like your idea, so keep us all posted.

The problem with a mud test is that with each successive run the conditions change. So it is never possible to exactly duplicate them from one run to the next, but it should be possible to get them close enough to have fairly reliable results. But hey it's all about the fun anyway.

[fulleraviation]

I will do my best to provide some good data. I have a good helicopter dip site that is very consistant for the water test. Not sure I can help with the mud test other than seat of the pants testing. I only have one set of wheels, and once the swap is done that's it. I put my faith in Dan "MightyMaxIV". If he says their good in mud and outperform the Goodyears, then I believe it. I never thought the Goodyears running backwards were that great of a mud tire anyway.

My BIG gripe with the 26" Goodyears is the terrible ride. It is very rough.

One concern that I have is the rolling resistance and weight of the new tires on my meager 18HP Vanguard. These $600 tires and $300 spacers, might force me into another $$?? engine mod. Helping the economy any way I can!

Rut

[jpswift1]

One concern that I have is the rolling resistance and weight of the new tires on my meager 18HP Vanguard. These $600 tires and $300 spacers, might force me into another $$?? engine mod. Helping the economy any way I can!

Rut

That 18HP Briggs should do the job for you. If you wanted some quick, easy, and somewhat inexpensive horsepower, I'd add a K&N air filter (about $30 shipped), and a free flowing exhaust like 6x6World member Micmac did. He wrote an article in the How-To section of the site. The Briggs Vanguards are pretty restricted when it comes to intake and exhaust, so doing this will free up a decent amount of power. I did this on my Briggs Vanguard (627cc) in my Hustler 980 with 6 ASX's and not only does it have enough power to climb any hill that I'd ever want to (even with two adults in it) it will also go through 2 feet of snow, through any deep mud hole, and climb out of any steep riverbank without bogging down. Also, if you don't have this already you might want to add a red clutch spring (around $25 I believe) to the driven clutch from Recreatives. Amphibious Six-Wheel Drive All-Terrain Vehicles: MaxATVs - Call 1-800-255-2511 This would help out quite a bit as well. Another option would be to add a larger main drive sprocket (if you have the room in the tub) which would gear the machine down slightly........you'd lose a little top end speed, but you'd gain more low end torque. Let us know how it works out for you.

[Amphiman1]

Thats good news about the ASX coming back.
I wish Interco would make shorter version it for the Max II / Attex crowd

Amphicat crowd too.....

Dan, good choice on those ASX tires! I replaced the factory 26" Goodyear Terra tires on my Hustler BIGFOOT and there is no comparision! Those 26" Goodyears were horrible riding and the traction difference between the two is night and day. Those 26" Goodyear tires were developed for small tractors and trenchers and I believe that is the best application for them, although they do swim well, but that's about all.

I've owned and drove many AATV's over the past 10 years with many different tire combinations in a variety of terrain and the 26x13x12 Vampire ASX tires are the best hands down! They are the best tire for mud and snow for sure. With 6 of them on my Hustler, they swim well too. I can't believe you were able to fit them on a Max IV.......it thought they might have been too wide. Did you use any wheel spacers, Dan? Here's a video of my Hustler 980 BIGFOOT in action with the ASX's. Glad to see these tires on your machine.......you're practically unstoppable now!

YouTube - Hustler 980 BIGFOOT 6x6 amphibious ATV in action

you must know, when he isn't touching bottom, he is going against the current too.....

[boncrshr]

Very cool!!! Those ASX's are bad boys for sure....too bad they are about to communist produced tires!!! I sure hate taking communist gear into our Capitalist outdoors. However; if I ever do the 980 conversion, they would be my first choice....second would be Vampire TSL's, third might be a huge set of Super Swamper TSL's.....so it looks like Interco until proven otherwise.

Back to tire dimensions...it would be interesting to know the actual dimensions of a 28x12-12 and 27x12-12 Vampire mounted on K-locks at 1.5psi. Seems like I read somewhere that they are notoriously short.

[mightymaxIV]

Whoooooaaa!

I just finished installing a set off asx vampires on the back of my MaxIV, and then testing them in my pond. Man those tires are wide! About 13 1/2 inches and close to 14. If you will look at the second picture you find tracks from my max up the side of an area I have never been able to pull out of with any other tire combo I have run. This area is slick with mud and leaves you have to be on all fours to walk up or down it. Third picture. Right side is my normal enter and exit point. Left side almost steep enough to flip the max backward and I pulled right out of the pond hanging on for dear life and wishing I hadn't even tried half way up but the max pulled me up and out. Wow! Does this baby climb!!! If swim speed is important don't go with this combo I am guessing 1 to 1 1/2 mph water speed. The max is running beatiful now and is very, very, impressive with the lower gears and red spring clutch. Pulling power is woowwww! Hope to have everything ready for Busco beach and hope to have a second set of the new Argo tires for Busco. Maybe Robbie, Lewis, and I can have a water speed race to see which tire and machine combo swims best! Can't wait!

Hey wait a minute here! Read my original post. I said my swim speed with four vampirs and two ASX tires was from 1 to 1 1/2 MPH. I don't know what the max will do with six ASX tires because I don't have six yet. Ask someone with six tires to post a GPS swim speed okay. What I am talking about traction. The best I have ever seen with any of my tire combo's and that's saying something. With my current combination water speed is only reasonable!

[jpswift1]

Dan, if you add 4 more ASX's I'm sure your water speed and traction will increase. Also, water speed differs on each vehicle even if the tires are all the same since the hydrodynamics will vary on each of the different shaped hulls.

[SWAMP HAWG]

Back to tire dimensions...it would be interesting to know the actual dimensions of a 28x12-12 and 27x12-12 Vampire mounted on K-locks at 1.5psi. Seems like I read somewhere that they are notoriously short.[/QUOTE]

No such thing as a 28x12 -12 vampire.
They make one size in "28" , the EDL
It is barely 27"x 8 & has 2" tall lugs I have some on my quad

[boncrshr]

You're right...wishful thinking on my part.

[mightymaxIV]

Swamp foxes

Back to tire dimensions...it would be interesting to know the actual dimensions of a 28x12-12 and 27x12-12 Vampire mounted on K-locks at 1.5psi. Seems like I read somewhere that they are notoriously short.

Swamp Hawg- my 27x12x12 swamp fox plus tires sit about 25" at 1 1/2 psi on a max K-rim, you can take them all the way up to a full 27" if you are willing to put 7 PSI in them. The ten inch wide K-rims will generally take from 1/2 to 1 inch off a tire. My 26x12x12 vampires aired at 3 PSI sit exactly 26 inches high!! You can take the Vampires down to 25" by going to about 1 1/2 psi. Air pressure is the key. I have been able to run three different sets of tires on my Max at one time by playing with higher a lower psi. I have run a mix of foxes, vampires, Carlisle, and Vampire ASX's, all good tires and all do something better than the others. So far the hands down traction winner is the ASX Vampire.

[fulleraviation]

26" Supper Terra Grip Water speed

Ran the MaxIV in the water hole today, and here's what I came up with. I have an 18hp Vanguard with high spped clutch. Best speed was obtained at 3,500 to 3,700 rpm. With me in the front seat I saw 3.1mph. With one in front and one in the back seat (full size adults aprox 180 lbs.) I saw 2.8mph. My tire pressure was 3.5 in front, 2 in the middle, and 3psi in the rear tires. This usually gives me the best ground speed and best ride.

Might do more testing before I get the new tires.

Later,
Rut