greg0rn
Republic of Vancouver Island
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Joined: 11/03/2004
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Soon we'll be ordering a new trailer. Should we go for metal, or aluminum rims? Any pros and contras beside aestetics?
Greg, Shirley, Misha (the dog)
2006 1 ton Dodge with CTD, SRW, extended cab, 4x2, short box, 3.73 LSD, J-brake, Superglide hitch, Prodigy controller, Line-x, Pressure-Pro.
2004 Citation Supreme 26RKS 5th wheel
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glazier
Kentucky
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We bought aluminum on our fiver, only for looks. I would assume that the aluminum would be less up keep, or no painting. I never had a problem out of my steel wheels before, and they looked cool with stainless beauty rings. I can see no major advantage of the aluminum other than for looks IMO.
2010 Jayco Eagle Super Lite 31.5 FBHS
08 Chevy 2500HD LTZ Duramax CC/SB/4X4
Reese Signature Series Hitch
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tvman44
Southwest Louisiana
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Same here. Looks.
glazier wrote:We bought aluminum on our fiver, only for looks. I would assume that the aluminum would be less up keep, or no painting. I never had a problem out of my steel wheels before, and they looked cool with stainless beauty rings. I can see no major advantage of the aluminum other than for looks IMO.
Papa Bob
1* DW "Granny"
1* 2008 Brookside by Sunnybrook 32'
1* 2002 F250 Super Duty 7.3L PSD
Husky 16K hitch, Tekonsha P3,
Firestone Ride Rite Air Springs, Trailair Equa-Flex, Champion C46540
"A bad day camping is better than a good day at work!"
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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No personal knowledge, but it seems to me I have read you need to be MUCH more careful to keep lug nuts torqued properly with aluminum wheels. They tend to loosen up MUCH more than steel wheels. You might try a search.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Lovely German Shepherd.
1999 Mercedes ML320 TV
2003 Wanderer 187TB Toybox (3620# UVW, 4800# loaded)
Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories.
I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going
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glazier
Kentucky
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Chuck&Gail wrote:No personal knowledge, but it seems to me I have read you need to be MUCH more careful to keep lug nuts torqued properly with aluminum wheels. They tend to loosen up MUCH more than steel wheels. You might try a search.
That was the issue for years with aluminum truck wheels, may still be 
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Livinmydreams
Harrisburg, Oregon
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Joined: 11/19/2005
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Are the steel wheels stronger when hitting a curb?
LIFE IS SHORT GET OUTDOORS!
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glazier
Kentucky
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Livinmydreams wrote:Are the steel wheels stronger when hitting a curb?
I will have to ask my wife  Just kidding, I would say they are stronger than Aluminum when it comes to curb rash. That may be one for the steel wheels.
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harley hitchiker
apollo pa.u.s.a.
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Joined: 01/23/2005
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in the event of a flat steel is more likely to survive and replacement is much cheaper. al. is only about looks. if you keep the trailer long enough steel may rust , you can sand and paint ,if the clear coat on al. begins to deteriate only option is replacement. I have al. and I like the look but steel is stronger and more durable.
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nickelAF
Charleston, WV
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I prefer steel wheels I feel they are stronger and less fragile. However the finish on today’s steel wheels is pathetic. The paint fades and rusts, the chrome rusts. Alloy wheels look better longer and they are a lot more durable than in the past. Yea I have steel wheels and a set of alloy wheels are in the future.
07 Fox 31WRB
04 6.0L 4X4 Excursion
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ol Bombero-JC
USA
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1. You might not have a choice.
2. Aluminum wheel quality is important (Alcoas).
3. SERIOUS truckers (HDTs) usually prefer Aluminum - obvious weight advantage.
4. NEVER had any torque problem -"loosen up"- with Aluminum wheels - trailers, cars, trucks, race cars, etc.
("Problems" are due to "operator error" - dummy doing the wrenching)
5. They *do* look better.
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