Aluminum Wheels?????? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Delaine and Lindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Aluminum Wheels??????

Howard · Host

Good timing on this question. Just two days ago in a seminar at the Heavy Duty Truck (HDT) rally, the owner of Doonan Trucks here in Wichita said "If you are going to have aluminum wheels on your trailer, make sure they are ALCOA."

I haven't checked into costs of the 17 1/2 inch tires or ALCOA wheels or all the other stuff that would need to be changed by changing tire size. But since all of us with a Cambridge will be pretty tight on our weight ratings, we will likely bite the bullet for safety and make the changes pretty soon.

Properly rated 17 1/2 inch tires will carry more load than the current 16 inch G rated tires (3,500 pounds each), but we are still limited by the axles which are rated at 7,000 pounds each. The theory on the 17 1/2 inch tires is that they will be stronger (many say the tires are the weakest link on a trailer), we wouldn't have to have them inflated to their maximum PSI (smoother ride for the trailer), and there would be a safety factor cushion on weight.

If I were starting from scratch on a fifth wheel at 36 feet or over, I would make sure it had three axles, MOR/ryde IS suspension, 17 1/2 inch tires on ALCOA aluminum wheels, a Bigfoot leveling system, and AT LEAST 4,000 pounds of cargo carrying capacity. If we had these things on the Cambridge, it would be pretty darn close to perfect for us.

I spoke to the owner you referred to on the phone last night. They were slightly under on their total weight for the trailer axles, but they were not sure on their side to side weights. Both of their tire issues were on the driver's side which has three slides and is likely heavier (the driver's side is significantly heavier on ours). So it's possible they were over their tire and wheel ratings on that side. I can't stress enough the importance of having rigs weighed by wheel position.

On a side note, they had a tire pressure monitoring system put in after the first blowout and it saved them from having a second blowout.

Hope that helps.

mikeway · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just to relate: in about '97 we had an Avion 5'er. It came with Goodyear, 15inch, tires and steel wheels.

It was one of those rigs, when you looked at it, you wondered why the wheels were so small. The ride was horrible, things were bounced around considerably on travel days. Previous Avion pull trailers had come with Mor-Ryde standard.

After chatting with the Mor/Ryde rep at the Tampa RV show, in '99, we arranged to have a Mor/Ryde installed; also 16 inch spoked wheels, larger tires and larger more agressive brakes.

We went from 5 flats in a summer to none. Yea for re-engineering.

Mike

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

From Doonan, at the HDT rally, the upgrade to the 17.5's is about $1100/axle. You might find them cheaper.

If I was changing tires I would upgrade to them. They are approximately the same size as 16's in diameter, so they should fit on any 16" tire rig - but you need to verify this yourself - I have not.

Everyone should be running tire monitors. Yes, they are pricey, but so is a blowout, and a tire monitor system will save you from most blowouts (but not all). The peace of mind, alone, is worth it to me. Look at our website for more info, and a good source. Tire Monitor

IMO, there are two areas not to skimp on in RVing: 1)tires, wheels, brakes on the trailer, and 2) the hitch

Spend the money you need to to get the best you can in these areas. You will be happier, and safer, in the long run.

-- Edited by Jack Mayer at 10:40, 2006-10-15