Aluminum wheels - Why???? - Montana Owners Club

DonandBonnie · 11-19-2006, 01:52 PM

For a mere $660 extra, the MSRP sheet shows that I can add aluminum wheels to my dream Montana. Other than looking good, is there any good reason to buy aluminum wheels?

LonnieB · 11-19-2006, 02:03 PM

As far as I know Don, looks alone. I prefer the steel wheels because I feel they are stronger and handle the side stress better when turning. I have to say though, on the TV I prefer the aluminum wheels. Again only for looks.

ols1932 · 11-19-2006, 02:03 PM

No. We bought ours with the aluminum wheels and they do look good. However, if I had it to do over again I wouldn't have paid the extra money.

Orv

Bluegill · 11-19-2006, 02:24 PM

I opted to go with the steel wheels as Lonnie indicated. I figure I have a better chance clipping a curb with the trailer and will need a stronger rim back there.. I will admit they dont look as good as the aluminum rims.
Maybe one day I will find some nice chrome steel rims and put them on instead. Maybe I can get a GREAT deal from another MOC member here

richfaa · 11-19-2006, 02:35 PM

They look pretty...We don't have them.

LonnieB · 11-19-2006, 02:45 PM

I'll take that as a hint Blue, and GREAT doens't begin to describe the deal I have for you, lol.

On Edit - doesn't........geeez, I haven't even been drinking.

Mudchief · 11-19-2006, 02:46 PM

Besides looking good they want rust.

Mac · 11-19-2006, 02:51 PM

They do look good, no GREAT, we do have them and we'd do it again and again!

mac

carlson · 11-19-2006, 02:56 PM

Aluminum wheels $600.
Look good.
They say aluminum rims stay cooler.
Yes they look good, but?
WHAT ABOUT THEM RUSTY WHEEL LUGS.
For a $600 option they could use a highter quiality wheel lug that does not look cheap all rusty.

Bluegill · 11-19-2006, 03:03 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by LonnieB

I'll take that as a hint Blue, and GREAT doens't begin to describe the deal I have for you, lol.

On Edit - doesn't........geeez, I haven't even been drinking.

I was wondering of you were paying attention or not Lonnie

Maybe on my trip back to Texas we'll stop by and see ya.

LonnieB · 11-19-2006, 03:08 PM

Blue, you guys are welcome here anytime. With or without wheels

.

bsmeaton · 11-19-2006, 03:21 PM

Steel wheels bend and alloy wheels break, however a steel wheel will bend at a much lower tolerance than it takes to break the alloy wheel. The alloy will stay more true after a curb hit than the steel, providing you don't break the bead of the rim.

In the trucking industry, the Alcoa aluminum wheels have a higher payload and are used to prevent the bending that occurs on steel trailer wheels when the trailer is parked under heavy load for any duration.

Blue - Chrome plating actually weakens the steel wheel.

JM2CENTS

Bluegill · 11-19-2006, 03:38 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by bsmeaton

Steel wheels bend and alloy wheels break, however a steel wheel will bend at a much lower tolerance than it takes to break the alloy wheel. The alloy will stay more true after a curb hit than the steel, providing you don't break the bead of the rim.

In the trucking industry, the Alcoa aluminum wheels have a higher payload and are used to prevent the bending that occurs on steel trailer wheels when the trailer is parked under heavy load for any duration.

Blue - Chrome plating actually weakens the steel wheel.

JM2CENTS

Wow, Brad I didnt know all that. Well maybe I can find some SEXY aluminum rims i like then.

LonnieB · 11-19-2006, 03:52 PM

Brad, that wasn't 2 cents, more like a half dollar

I know the aluminum wheels on trucks are rated for higher loads than steel wheels, however I replace far more out of round aluminum wheels than I do steel. A couple of months ago, we pulled 6 aluminum wheels off one truck, before finding two that were round enough to put on the steering axle. The truck driver was trying to tell me the tires I sold him weren't round. After we changed the wheels, he had a whole different attitude.

As far as the smaller alloy wheels go, what you say is true. The steel will bend before the alloy breaks, but here again, I have replaced several alloy wheels with hairline fractures letting air escape. I've only seen a few steel wheels cracked, and they are usually where the two halves of the wheel are welded together.

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you, just telling you what I have experienced.

bsmeaton · 11-19-2006, 04:24 PM

Lonnie - You have better exposure and experience than I do! I only know what I read, so with that -

I surrender to "they look cool"

Blue - if your serious, be careful what you are looking at. You've got to get wheels rated for the load. I've used these folks before:

http://www.hispecwheel.com/index.html?page=products

and here is a distributor:

http://www.trailertiresandwheels.net...78/page/549659

Note that the 16X7 8-lug 6.5" wheels are all rated greater than 3,200 lbs each and will carry up to 110 psi. These also have steel inserts for the lugs.

Emmel · 11-19-2006, 05:16 PM

DonandBonnie, we have the aluminum wheels and the best reason I can give is they look good with the aluminum wheels on my tv. No other reason, I won't say they last longer or will take more abuse, I try not to abuse my wheels! I've bent steel wheels but that bend would have also done some damage to any aluminum wheels too. Just for looks as far as I'm concerned.

Montana Sky · 11-19-2006, 05:39 PM

I have them, and they are going to be on the next coach. Gives the Montana a nice classy look.

Bluegill · 11-19-2006, 05:49 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by bsmeaton

Lonnie - You have better exposure and experience than I do! I only know what I read, so with that -

I surrender to "they look cool"

Blue - if your serious, be careful what you are looking at. You've got to get wheels rated for the load. I've used these folks before:

http://www.hispecwheel.com/index.html?page=products

and here is a distributor:

http://www.trailertiresandwheels.net...78/page/549659

Note that the 16X7 8-lug 6.5" wheels are all rated greater than 3,200 lbs each and will carry up to 110 psi. These also have steel inserts for the lugs.

Thanks for the link Brad. I saved it for later. Since I will be parked here for the winter no one will be able to see my rims for now.

illapah · 11-20-2006, 02:41 AM

Well, outside of looks. All the other technical specs, I never thought about. I do know that I can handle an alloy wheel a lot easier than the steel. Weight difference is noticable.

carlson · 11-20-2006, 06:16 AM

The other part, you damage a aluminum wheel, how easy is it going to be to find one to replace it to match the other rims??
For a great look you can put on them wheel covers the you see on the cars that the kids drive with the LOUD, LOUD, LOUD music playing!!

You may also like: