Wheels, steel or alloys (1 Viewer)

normanandsue

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My new to me motorhome has steel wheels, my previous one had alloy wheels, apart from the aesthetic appeal, which is not appreciated whilst I am inside the motorhome, I can discern no benefit for having alloy wheels but perhaps there is a Funster who can explain the pros and cons of alloy wheels.
 
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Very small difference in weight is the only advantage, more like keeping up with the Jone's
 

SandraL

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If intending to fit snow chains alloy wheels may be damaged. So I would stick with steel wheels just in case I actually use them one day rather than just taking thrm with me....

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Jan 8, 2013
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There's also the school of thought, that if damaged, Steel wheels might be knocked back into shape...

My bling on Steel wheels.
IMG_20180305_142236.jpg
 
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Alloys also get damaged easily by careless tyre fitters and mechanics. Trying to get them to admit causing scratch damage and pay is another world of hassle I don't need.

Alloys are also prone to cracks caused by potholes. The snowflake pattern ones are terrible for this. Nothing like the bombproof mag alloys I had on my old rally Mini.

I just wish steel wheels had more protective paint.
 

hilldweller

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I can discern no benefit for having alloy wheels .

Just looks.

Steel has a huge benefit, in an emergency if you hit something, like a brick dropped on a corner, tyre off hammer rim, fixed. Or just a dab of paint if you kerb them parking.

Alloys were introduced for racing, racing on smooth surfaces so were thin and light. Scale up to the real work and they are no longer light and a constant source of worry lest you scratch them.

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funflair

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I would go for steel and Stainless trim's out of choice, when you spec an IVECO chassis with front air they say that you have to have alloys to give you the spacing away from the air bag BUT you can do it with spacers I believe, the trouble with alloys on IVECO chassis is that you get alloy front and steel rears with matching alloy trims and then you need to mess about with removing spacers and different bolts if you have to change a tyre and use the steel spare:mad: KISS

Martin
 

pappajohn

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you get alloy front and steel rears with matching alloy trims and then you need to mess about with removing spacers and different bolts if you have to change a tyre and use the steel spare:mad:
Which again means in reality you need an alloy spare if you can't fit a steel wheel to the front....and a spare set of suitable bolts to fit the rears if the alloy spare is fitted to the rear. Steel and alloy wheel bolts are seldom the same.
 
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There's also the school of thought, that if damaged, Steel wheels might be knocked back into shape...

My bling on Steel wheels.View attachment 218021
By the look of your van it's an Autocruise? Are they bling hub caps and if so I would like the same as we have a Starspirit.

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Jul 5, 2013
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I am not sure the perceived wisdom about damaging alloys necessarily applies to motorhomes. Most of the problems are with low profile tyres which also have relatively low tyre pressures. That does not offer much protection if a pothole is hit (been there etc). But most motorhomes have much higher profiles and pressures, so a lot more protection. Same with scuffing on kerbs. Most kerbs I park against are not high enough to touch the alloy bit.
 
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By the look of your van it's an Autocruise? Are they bling hub caps and if so I would like the same as we have a Starspirit.
It's an Autosleeper Inca 2004 model on a Peugeot Boxer chassis, it has 15" wheels.
The wheel trims are plastic bought from ebay, but do not seem to be available now, they're not designed for boxer wheels (not enough 'dish'), but I modified them to fit without any trouble..
Similar items here.. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-x-UNIV...306829&hash=item5b3d424315:g:oYwAAOSwRqBZnB6-
 

funflair

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Which again means in reality you need an alloy spare if you can't fit a steel wheel to the front....and a spare set of suitable bolts to fit the rears if the alloy spare is fitted to the rear. Steel and alloy wheel bolts are seldom the same.
You can get away with one steel spare but you have to remove the adapter if its the front and then the rear stud spacing will fit with the standard rim, or something like that(y) just added complication in my book.

Martin

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funflair

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Which means they are changing the wheels offset and putting extra load on the front bearings.
Wonder if that's included in the C of C.
Correct, its all TUV approved and you get a certificate to say so I believe.

Martin
 

Lenny HB

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Had alloys on our first van looked nice but unless the surface on the hub has been greased or coppersilped before fitting they are an absolute pig to get off. Also if you do kerb or damage an alloy you should have it X rayed for cracks. Had steel on the last 2 vans no inclination to go back to alloys.
 

Kevan

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My Rapido came on alloys, rear wheel kept losing air between tyre and rim, so now in back of the garage, and fitted new set of steels.

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Dec 12, 2010
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There's only 1lb weight difference between my alloys and the steel spare and as I weighed them ages ago, I can't remember which one is the heavier (n)
I got the alloys bead blasted and powder coated 3 years ago and the hub areas are looking scruffy already.
 
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DL42846

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I run a Land Rover Defender as well as a Motor Home. I'm not a big fan of Alloy wheels. They look nice when they are new but can easily get damaged and they do corrode. Steel can be beaten back into shape if you accidentally damage them.( Only a temporary measure to get you home as balancing will be out) Alloy you can't. When Alloy wheels get damaged they crack. If you curb a steel wheel a new set of wheel trims is not too expensive and will give you a new look where as Alloys its probably a new wheel.
 

Busman

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Now here's something that might help people, I'm far from savvy about some things and last year I had a blowout on a duel carriage way in Portugal, alloys all round so got the spare out which I'd double checked was ok before leaving UK. Fitted it with a bit of trouble then only to find I'd should of used smaller bolts. Costly mistake ended up getting towed away. Now got correct replacement bolts (smaller) tiewrapped to spare. So easy to check if you have alloys check that your spare is a alloy or if not that you have the correct bolts.
Flame away lol

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