GMZ Race Products introduced its original Sand Stripper tire lineup in 2013, giving UTV owners a purpose-built combination for dune riding. The initial range paired a wide, three-rib front tire with a choice of staggered or full-length rear paddles.
GMZ developed and tested the tires in the Southern California desert. Their wide footprints were designed to improve flotation, keep a UTV riding on top of soft sand and make transitions between dunes easier to manage.
The original Sand Strippers used six-ply radial construction. GMZ also offered wider wheels with sand-specific offsets intended to complement the tire dimensions and handling characteristics.
28×12R14 Sand Stripper Front Tire
The 28×12R14 front Sand Stripper used a three-rib tread pattern designed to provide steering response without sacrificing flotation. Its wide profile helped the tire remain on top of soft sand, while the ribs gave the driver more directional control.
That combination was especially useful on four-seat UTVs, where the longer wheelbase could make a machine more reluctant to initiate a turn or change direction during a dune transition.
28×15R14 Sand Stripper Rear Paddle Tires
GMZ offered two rear paddle configurations in the original 28×15R14 size. The appropriate choice depended on the UTV’s horsepower, weight, gearing and the driver’s preferred handling characteristics.
Staggered 14-Paddle Rear
- Fourteen staggered paddles
- Approximately 3/4-inch paddle height
- Designed for stock or lower-powered UTVs
- Allowed the rear of the vehicle to slide more easily
- Claimed tire weight: approximately 20.5 pounds
The staggered design provided flotation and forward traction without producing as much bite as the full-length version. It was the more playful choice for drivers who preferred to rotate the rear of the vehicle while carving through the dunes.
HP 14-Paddle Rear
- Fourteen full-length paddles
- Approximately 1-1/8-inch paddle height
- More aggressive traction than the staggered version
- Designed for higher-horsepower UTVs
- Claimed tire weight: approximately 21.7 pounds
The HP version placed more paddle surface in the sand and produced stronger forward bite. That made it better suited to more powerful machines, although vehicle weight, clutching and gearing also affect how much paddle a UTV can effectively use.
GMZ Venomous Sand Wheels
GMZ paired the Sand Strippers with its cast-aluminum Venomous wheels. The rear wheel measured 14×10 inches and used a 5+5 offset, while the corresponding 14×8 front wheel used a 4+4 offset.
GMZ listed the rear wheel at approximately 13 pounds with a 1,000-pound load rating. The company promoted it as a cast alternative to lightweight spun-aluminum dune wheels.
Choosing the Right UTV Paddle Tire
More paddle is not automatically better. A paddle tire that is too aggressive for a vehicle’s power and gearing can increase belt load, reduce engine rpm and make the UTV feel sluggish. A less aggressive staggered paddle can be a better match for a stock or naturally aspirated machine.
Higher-output UTVs can generally take advantage of taller or full-length paddles, but tire diameter and rotating weight remain important. Wheel offset also changes track width and can affect steering effort and handling.
We later used GMZ Sand Strippers during several real-world UTV tests, including our Polaris RZR XP Turbo S versus Can-Am Maverick X3 X rc dune comparison.
Sand Stripper Lineup Expanded
GMZ subsequently expanded the Sand Stripper family with larger sizes and newer tread configurations developed for heavier, more powerful turbocharged UTVs. See our coverage of the 32-inch GMZ Sand Stripper tires for details on that later generation.
Fitment note: These wide sand-tire and wheel combinations may require additional fender clearance on some UTVs. Owners should verify wheel diameter, offset, tire clearance and recommended paddle configuration before ordering.
Current sizes and configurations are available through GMZ Race Products.
