SS360 vs Buffed paddle

[EastMT]

I would like to know how they compare or perform differently when recreational duning (riding bowls not just drag racing up hills), not the difference in price. How does a guy make the decision if it is worth the money to pay more for Skat trak or Sandcraft with razor or ribbed front tires?

 

[Rockwood]

Haven't driven the SS360, but have driven Skat.  Skat is fast, but bites a lot, so isn't really a fan of drifting.  

SS360 is supposed to be a fun, float on the sand type tire, so it's a fun vs. speed thing.  

 

[HozayKwarvo]

I would like to know how they compare or perform differently when recreational duning (riding bowls not just drag racing up hills), not the difference in price. How does a guy make the decision if it is worth the money to pay more for Skat trak or Sandcraft with razor or ribbed front tires?

I run a 4 seat X3 and for the first two seasons I ran the stock big horns. I borrowed a set of buffed skats for a weekend and ultimately ended up with the 360s, mainly because of price. As far as duning, both perform well with being able to point and shoot - not needing to carry momentum like you do with knobbies, being able to decide late or at low speed that you want to turn and tackle a large hill...

I run in 4wd and the puling power on the front is what is noticeably different between the two setups. the 360s make you feel like you are on a velcro track most of the time. Airing up or getting off the suspension can still allow you to slide a bit and have some fun but they really like to stick to the sand.

Having the thicker tire is more weight... but it is also some peace of mind and I don't sweat the sticks and stems like I would rolling on a buffed setup, worrying about a puncture.

 

[Dune-Track-N]

I run the SS360's and they are just OK. They don't provide a ton of forward bite, they spin float and then you go.
I also ran the STU Beach Comber which is a angle cut paddle, same feeling but more bite then the SS360s.

A traditional straight paddle, bites and sends you forward with confidence.

 

[jareddustin]

i have the skat trac buffed tires on my turbo s 4 seat. they are super light. cost is more but paddles can last years my thought was spend the money once. as for the paddle i believe i have the talon paddle on the rear, the paddle goes all the way to the edge of the tire. i feel the even when tuning the car still wants to go straight, i would like to try a staggered paddle or a narrower paddle to see if the paddle is the issue or i am the issue and i need to learn to drive better. 

the other turbo rzr in our group does not have buffed paddles and my car is a bit faster than his, not by much just a few MPH up olds and the drags. 

 

[IFLY]

I run the 360s on a turbo S 4 seater. They work great for all around duning. I run in 4w drive but if you want to slide more just run in 2w drive. I think its a simple choice. If you just want to dune then that's probably the best choose. If you want to drag and run the big hills get regular paddles. 

 

[Sand Shark]

I would like to know how they compare or perform differently when recreational duning (riding bowls not just drag racing up hills), not the difference in price. How does a guy make the decision if it is worth the money to pay more for Skat trak or Sandcraft with razor or ribbed front tires?

Skats work well in all conditions when duning and your race up the hill.   Paddle configuration and paddle count on the Skats makes a difference.  I run the extreme paddle on my Sandcrafts with 12 paddles.  They hook up and stick to the dunes around bowls.  If I want to slide the ass end around I can.  The talon paddle covers more of the tire as it is longer.  They tend to have more bite.   

The SS360 is a heavier tire, but because they float so well there is no extra stress on the belt from running a heavy tire.  The stick to the sand when running the bowls.  With the SS360  set up if you want that forward bite you run the front tires in the correct direction.  If you like to slide around a little more you run the front tires in the reverse direction.  

Also with these bigger tires you run more air pressure.  My skats are happy in the 12-14psi range.  

 

[EastMT]

Thanks for all the info guys. I had the opportunity to drive an X3 2 seater with the factory tires. It made it around the dunes OK and I never felt limited but knew that having some kind of paddles would have been better. How much difference is there in get up and go between running a set of SS360’s in 4WD vs just buffed paddles in 2WD? My concern is getting started on an incline. For info these tires will be for a 2 seat X3 200hp model.

Add on question. Will running an X3 in 4WD with a set of SS360’s all the time in the dunes wear out the 4WD prematurely or is it tough enough to handle that long term?

 

[megadesertdiesel]

Thanks for all the info guys. I had the opportunity to drive an X3 2 seater with the factory tires. It made it around the dunes OK and I never felt limited but knew that having some kind of paddles would have been better. How much difference is there in get up and go between running a set of SS360’s in 4WD vs just buffed paddles in 2WD? My concern is getting started on an incline. For info these tires will be for a 2 seat X3 200hp model.

Add on question. Will running an X3 in 4WD with a set of SS360’s all the time in the dunes wear out the 4WD prematurely or is it tough enough to handle that long term?

ss360's wont get you out of a hole or climb a steep unexpected lip too well.  4wd is a must for ss360's.  Running in 2wd with paddles in the can am with be fun but at his speeds you have the potential to slide out, its better to run the canam in 4wd while duning.  

Now lets talk about the canam front diff, its a super weak small differential that doesnt hold much oil at all.  You need to change that fluid often to keep it fresh and alive.  In the older x3's they had a problem of the ring bolts backing out and pushing through the case.  I have not heard that much of the 20' and up models though.  

good luck with your canned ham built with poor quality muffler tubing.  been there broke that. 

 

[Big_Daddy_Jp]

ss360's wont get you out of a hole or climb a steep unexpected lip too well.  4wd is a must for ss360's.  Running in 2wd with paddles in the can am with be fun but at his speeds you have the potential to slide out, its better to run the canam in 4wd while duning.  

Now lets talk about the canam front diff, its a super weak small differential that doesnt hold much oil at all.  You need to change that fluid often to keep it fresh and alive.  In the older x3's they had a problem of the ring bolts backing out and pushing through the case.  I have not heard that much of the 20' and up models though.  

good luck with your canned ham built with poor quality muffler tubing.  been there broke that. 

Not sure I agree with some of this. I have the ss360 on super lite wheels. They keep your running temps and belt temps down. I have a turbo xp and dune all day in 2wd. If you want to get maximum run out of the car then 4wd is where it’s at. You must remember it’s a SXS. It’s not a buggy so unless you have it pumped up, your not gonna go straight up the face of a dune from a dead stop. Momentum is your friend. If you know how to read dunes and hold momentum, 2wd is all you need. The only time I put it in 4wd is if we park somewhere super soft. Once I take off I put it back in 2wd.

 

[Sand Shark]

Thanks for all the info guys. I had the opportunity to drive an X3 2 seater with the factory tires. It made it around the dunes OK and I never felt limited but knew that having some kind of paddles would have been better. How much difference is there in get up and go between running a set of SS360’s in 4WD vs just buffed paddles in 2WD? My concern is getting started on an incline. For info these tires will be for a 2 seat X3 200hp model.

Add on question. Will running an X3 in 4WD with a set of SS360’s all the time in the dunes wear out the 4WD prematurely or is it tough enough to handle that long term?

Run it in 4wd all the time.  They are designed to be in 4wd and the X3 handles better in 4wd.  

 

[EastMT]

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[Squatcher]

Thanks for all the info guys. I had the opportunity to drive an X3 2 seater with the factory tires. It made it around the dunes OK and I never felt limited but knew that having some kind of paddles would have been better. How much difference is there in get up and go between running a set of SS360’s in 4WD vs just buffed paddles in 2WD? My concern is getting started on an incline. For info these tires will be for a 2 seat X3 200hp model.

Add on question. Will running an X3 in 4WD with a set of SS360’s all the time in the dunes wear out the 4WD prematurely or is it tough enough to handle that long term?

I have stopped in the middle of a steep dune with my 360's.  I was surprised how easy it just climbed up.  I love the tire. Great duning Tire.  If you want more bite they make the pro ss360 with a 1/8 taller paddles. Have not tried those.   The 360 float so good you don't dig in before you start going forward.

 

[SandTrap]

I run straight 10 paddle tires on mine. I run 12-14 Psi and in 4wd all the time and it pulls very nice but can break the rear loose "mainly because the rear tire is so pumped up".. Big change over the stock tires.I have lots of friends that run SS360's and all different kinds of straights and Honestly I guess it comes down to How you like to dune.

 

[EastMT]

I have stopped in the middle of a steep dune with my 360's.  I was surprised how easy it just climbed up.  I love the tire. Great duning Tire.  If you want more bite they make the pro ss360 with a 1/8 taller paddles. Have not tried those.   The 360 float so good you don't dig in before you start going forward.

Thanks

 

[EastMT]

I run straight 10 paddle tires on mine. I run 12-14 Psi and in 4wd all the time and it pulls very nice but can break the rear loose "mainly because the rear tire is so pumped up".. Big change over the stock tires.I have lots of friends that run SS360's and all different kinds of straights and Honestly I guess it comes down to How you like to dune.

Are you running in 4WD with ribbed or smoothed fronts? If so how much difference does that make over running in 2WD?

 

[SandTrap]

Are you running in 4WD with ribbed or smoothed fronts? If so how much difference does that make over running in 2WD?

I run in 4wd with ribbed front tires and my friend ran in 4wd with buffed fronts on his x3..

My car in the dirt or sand is ALWAYS in 4wd. only in 2wd on the street.. Funco told me its alot easier on parts to run in 4wd and Honestly there have been a few times that the front wheels pulling got me out of a situation that I got myself into

 

[Bizness]

Didn't read through all of the posts but the ss360's are easier on your drive train and don't chew up as many belts as a buffer tire would (depending on # of paddles). 

 

[Bizness]

Didn't read through all of the posts but the ss360's are easier on your drive train and don't chew up as many belts as a buffer tire would (depending on # of paddles). 

*buffed tire