Aluminum Wheels July 11, 2003, 12:31:08 am Yahoo Message Number: 24365Has anyone replaced their stock wheels with aluminum ones such as Alcoa? If anyone has I would like to know if they are happy with them and any comments they may have. Also I would like to know where they were purchased. I did a search and found some comments that they would like to have them but I found no one stating that they owned them.ThanksNorm and Jerri 26 MB due Sept
Re: Aluminum Wheels Reply #1 – July 11, 2003, 03:29:46 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24378QuoteHas anyone replaced their stock wheels with aluminum ones such as Alcoa? If anyone has I would like to know if they are happy with them and any comments they may have. Also I would like to know where they were purchased. I did a search and found some comments that they would like to have them but I found no one stating that they owned them.ThanksNorm and Jerri 26 MB due Sept Norm and JerriSend me your email address and I will give you my story re Alcoa wheelsJohn Criss
Re: Aluminum Wheels Reply #2 – July 11, 2003, 03:39:56 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24379QuoteNorm and JerriSend me your email address and I will give you my story re Alcoa wheelsJohn Criss John, why don't you post it here? I think lots of folk would be interested.Steve
Re: Aluminum Wheels Reply #3 – July 11, 2003, 08:52:58 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24401QuoteNorm and JerriSend me your email address and I will give you my story re Alcoa wheelsJohn CrissJohn, why don't you post it here? I think lots of folk would be interested.Steve Steve, This involves putting a company's name on the internet that I'd prefer not to do. Suffice to say that I think Alcoa wheels are an excellent product. I was in the "mag" wheel business for many years and they are an excellent wheel. Norm and Jerri, or anyone else thinking about replacing the stock wheels, be sure you do your home work on prices,a place to have wheels and tires mounted and balanced correctly, the correct bolt circle pattern, and realize there is upkeep that you don't have with the LD "hub caps". For a wheel cover, the LD covers are excellent, and when combined with proper airing setup i.e. Tireman or properly installed extenders, are a pretty worry free deal. I do not have Alcoa wheels on my 2000MB now nor have I. ever had them "on" the LD.John
Re: Aluminum Wheels Reply #4 – July 11, 2003, 11:34:51 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24403Quote Norm and JerriSend me your email address and I will give you my story re Alcoa wheelsJohn Criss John, My email is n dot pawson at verizon dot net. The message from you seems to be to rethink my idea of aluminum wheels. I will be looking forward to getting the additional information.ThanksNorm
Aluminum Wheels Reply #5 – February 22, 2004, 05:36:26 pm Yahoo Message Number: 33720I'm pretty sure I've read past discussions about Alcoa Aluminum Wheels on this forum, but unfortunately the `search' function didn't turn up anything. The research I've done seems to indicate that 4 Alcoa five hole `Hot Shot' wheels (w/center caps, lug nuts, and lug nut covers) prices out a little under $1000 (not installed). Has anyone bought Alcoa Aluminum Wheels for your LD … and are my numbers close? Most importantly, I've read (on other forums) that the 5 hole `Hot Shot' wheel makes valve extenders unnecessary. For anyone who has installed these wheels, is that your experience? Would there be any value in installing 6 aluminum wheels, vice 4. I guess what I'm asking is … would the aluminum and steel (inside duallie) wheels be OK on the same axle? Thx Tom Bonsall, Ca
Re: Aluminum Wheels Reply #6 – February 22, 2004, 06:19:31 pm Yahoo Message Number: 33722QuoteWould there be any value in installing 6 aluminum wheels, vice 4. Iguess what I'm asking is … would the aluminum and steel (inside duallie) wheels be OK on the same axle? Thx Tom Bonsall, Ca Hi Tom, I looked into buying aluminum wheels and decided against it. I spoke to the people at Alcoa and Southwest Wheel (Texas) and they both said the normal installation is four aluminums, retaining the existing inboard steelies. It was around $950 out the door.Yes, the combination of Alcoa Hot Shot outboard and steelie inboard would eliminate the need for any valve extenders. The access holes makes the inboard valve stems readily accessible. Of course the outboard ones are also accessible because they point outward.My tire man talked me out of aluminums because of concerns with material strength and recall experience. My guess is they're safe enough and look very nice. It came down to mostly a matter of $950. I'm not real happy with the wheel liners but I'll live with them.Best regards, Bob, 2000 LD 26.5' MB, San Diego
Re: Aluminum Wheels Reply #7 – February 23, 2004, 09:09:31 am Yahoo Message Number: 33736Quote"I'm pretty sure I've read past discussions about Alcoa Aluminum Wheels on this forum, but unfortunately the `search' function didn'tQuoteturn up anything." Tom: The least important things about Alcoa wheels are the possibility to reach the inside tires without valve extenders or their beauty. They are aluminum one piece FORGED wheels, and they are the world standard for strength, and lightness. A vast majority of eighteen wheelers in Brasil use 20 (!) Alcoa wheels (including 2 spares). Why?1.They obtain a reduction in overall weight, so can transport a little more cargo.2. They reduce the unsuspended weight. The unsuspended weight is a very familiar concept in racing cars, but it works for any type of vehicles: You must reduce at max the weight of the parts who stay on the ground and the suspension/brakes/and other parts where the chassis rests:(unsuspended, then). You get less tirewear, and better stability, because the wheels "jumps" less, staying more time in full contact with the ground. The suspension makes a much better work, also, maintaining better the wheel and tires in contact with the ground, specsially when there are inperfections ore unlevel areas.Almost all interestate bus compamies here use the Alcoa's, and I've observed the same in my trips to US.My best to you and your rigEudoro "unsuspended" Lemos, Jr.
Re: Aluminum Wheels Reply #8 – February 23, 2004, 12:19:29 pm Yahoo Message Number: 33743QuoteHas anyone bought Alcoa Aluminum Wheels for your LD? Tom,Yes, I've installed Alcoa Hot Shots on my 2003 26.5'RB. They're great. I purchased them mail order from Southwest Wheel in Dallas and had them installed locally. You get four wheels, two front and two rear, which are different, and an installation kit. Be sure to speak with someone from SW, don't just order on-line, to assure you get the correct wheels and kit for the Ford E450 chassis. You cannot install two aluminum wheels on the rear duals. The inside wheel must be the stock Ford steel wheel. If I was doing this again, I would get some metal valve stems for the inner duals and have those installed at the same time, in place of the rubber stems Ford provides. I'd probably try to get those from Ford. That would make airing up even easier. These wheels look great and make airing up easy (you need a good dual foot chuck, though). I also agree with another post that the light weight and reduced unsprung weight are additional advantages. But the main reasons I bought them were (1) to be rid of the wheel liners, (2) ease of inflation and (3) looks. The one possible downside is that you cannot rotate the tires without a lot of extra effort (tire removal and reinstallation), but from what I've read that isn't necessarily a good idea on these vehicles anyway. I just plan to run the tires in their original locations until they wear out and then replace them in sets (both fronts together, all four rears together). If you purchase these, order some of the Alcoa liquid cleaner/polish and the spray on sealant. That combination used a couple of times a year will keep them looking new. I'd forget about the paste cleaner and the spray on cleaner that they sell. The liquid cleaner/polish seems to work as well as the paste cleaner and once the sealant is applied they clean up fine with soap and water.If the Alcoas fit within your budget I think you will like them.Terry2003 26.5'RB Palo Alto, CA
Re: Aluminum Wheels Reply #9 – February 23, 2004, 03:15:09 pm Yahoo Message Number: 33750Terry, I just placed my order with SW Wheel. In a previous post I think you or someone else mentioned that they had instructed the installer to align the Hot Shot wheel holes in order to maximize access to the inner valve stems. Is this correct, and is there any special instructions I should give the installer? Does the 140 Lbs. of torque still apply with the aluminum wheels? I'm looking forward to eliminating the extenders as one became loose at the valve stem and a couple are becoming frayed. Had to remove the tire to tighten. Re-torqing the wheels will be easier and no more scraping noise from the rear wheel liners. Thanks for all your input.Malcolm 2002 MB Amelia Island, FL
Re: Aluminum Wheels Reply #10 – February 23, 2004, 04:41:38 pm Yahoo Message Number: 33753QuoteIn a previous post I think you or someone else mentioned that they had instructed the installer to align the Hot Shot wheel holes in order to maximize access to the inner valve stems. Is this correct, and is there any special instructions I should give the installer? Does the 140 Lbs. of torque still apply with the aluminum wheels?Malcolm,The standard practice with rear duals is to position the inner and outer wheel valve stems opposite each other. I don't know why. Symmetry, I suppose, since if the wheels are balanced separately this shouldn't affect the overall balance of them together.Anyway, on the Hot Shots, the space opposite the valve stem is occupied by a "spoke," so you can't do that. I found that the maximum access for airing the inner tire was obtained by positioning the inner valve stem in one of the outer wheel holes adjoining the outer wheel valve stem, meaning that the inner and outer stems are, in a sense, next to rather than opposite each other.My suggestion would be that, once the rear tires are mounted and balanced and the wheels are ready to be mounted on the motorhome, that you stack them on the floor first, outer Alcoa on top of inner steel, just as they would be on the motorhome, and check for the postioning that would give you the best access to the inner stem.Terry2003 26.5'RB Palo Alto, CA
Re: Aluminum Wheels Reply #11 – February 23, 2004, 04:57:44 pm Yahoo Message Number: 33755Thanks, Terry.Malcolm
Re: Aluminum Wheels, Follow-up Question Reply #12 – February 26, 2004, 11:05:37 am Yahoo Message Number: 33837Quote My suggestion would be that, once the rear tires are mounted and balanced and the wheels are ready to be mounted on the motorhome, that you stack them on the floor first, outer Alcoa on top of inner steel, just as they would be on the motorhome, and check for the postioning that would give you the best access to the inner stem.Terry 2003 26.5'RB Palo Alto, CA Terry, When you installed you Alcoa Hot Shots did you change the inner dual's valve stem?. I currently have metal valve stems that came with the valve extenders purchased from Lazy Daze and am wondering if they are long enough facilitate air pressure check. Previous posts suggested installing TR574 or TR600 metal valve stems for the inner duals.Thanks, Malcolm
Re: Aluminum Wheels, Follow-up Question Reply #13 – February 27, 2004, 12:16:00 am Yahoo Message Number: 33853QuoteWhen you installed your Alcoa Hot Shots did you change the inner dual's valve stem?. Malcolm, No, but I wish I had and probably will someday. A little longer inner stem would be nice but the main thing I'd like is a rigid one. Getting the dual foot inflator/gauge to seat on the valve stem with a good seal is sometimes a bit of a problem due to the stem's flexibility. One thought would be to remove the spare tire/wheel when you get your Alcoa wheels and stack a new aluminum wheel on the steel wheel, in the same relative positions they would be in when mounted as a dual pair and see what length, and possibly bend, of stem you'd like to have. Then try to locate some that come close and purchase them before you have the tires remounted on the new wheels and the new stems installed on the inner dual steel wheels.Terry2003 26.5'RB Palo Alto, CA
Aluminum Wheels, Follow-up Question Reply #14 – February 27, 2004, 08:07:44 am Yahoo Message Number: 33861Quote One thought would be to remove the spare tire/wheel when you get your Alcoa Quotewheels and stack a new aluminum wheel on the steel wheel, in the same relative Quotepositions they would be in when mounted as a dual pair and see what length, andQuotepossibly bend, of stem you'd like to have. Terry, Thanks again. Using my spare to simulate the accessability of the metal valve stem is a great idea. I think it is about the same length as the OEM rubber stem. I'll let you know how it works out.Malcolm
Aluminum Wheels Reply #15 – July 11, 2003, 03:44:33 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24381John,I agree with Steve.Please post your story about Alcoa wheels here!Charles
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