changing front steel wheels to aluminum

[two sailors]

I am concidering replacing front steel wheels with aluminum. the steel wheels I believe are 22.5x 6.75. The aluminum are 22.5 x 8.?.
Would there be any problems caused by the wider wheel on a W22?
Has anybody out there done the same

[two sailors]

I am concidering replacing front steel wheels with aluminum. the steel wheels I believe are 22.5x 6.75. The aluminum are 22.5 x 8.?.
Would there be any problems caused by the wider wheel on a W22?
Has anybody out there done the same

[Tom N]

Aloca's are an option on the W22 chassis with 22.5" tires so you'll be OK if you use the wheel that Workhorse uses. But, why???

-Tom
currently parked in Cyrstal River, FL until April

[Ding-a-ling]

But, why???

Because they look pretty!

[paz]

Our aluminum wheels (from the factory) on a W24 (same size tires as a W22) are 22.5 x 7.50.

Even though aluminum wheels weren't a standard option on the motorhome we bought (Tiffin Allegro Bay), I made a point of requesting that the dealer arrange for this special option because I agree they look pretty. They tell me they also make it easier to check air pressure on the rear duals.

If possible, get Dura-Brite. Mine are standard aluminum and need occasional polishing, especially when we lived in Pittsburgh before we went fulltime.

[Tom N]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Ding-a-ling:
But, why???

Because they look pretty! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Even prettier if 2 more are purchased for the rear.

-Tom

[two sailors]

I am thinking of a small weight advantage but more for heat dissapation for the brakes. Am I wishing for something that won't be there?

[Cruzer]

There's a number of advantages to aluminum rims, but all are small improvements, nothing major. If the only reason you are upgrading is to get one of these benefits it may not be cost effective.

Aluminum rims do disipate heat faster but it's not a huge difference. They also tend to ride bettter for a number of reasons. First, there's less unsprung weight so the shocks tend to work better. Secondly, they generally run truer than steel rims. It's also nice not to have to deal with the stainless steel trim rings that can squeak. It is easier to access the valve stems, particularly on the rear duals.

The biggest benefit is the looks. Today's alloy rims are generally Accushield or Durashield coated so it's easy to keep them clean. If you run them on the rear you'll want to keep steel rims for the inside duals though. It's too hard to clean the inners plus you'll need longer wheel studs if you double up alloy rims on the rear axle.

[SargeW]

All good points Mark. I have found a cleaning method that works really easy. I bought a "powerball" from the company that makes "Mother's" automotive polishes. It is basically a tightly packed sponge foam rubber ball on a metal shaft that fits into a drill motor. Put a little aluminum polish on the ball and distribute with the ball in the drill motor set on about med speed. Wipe off with a clean cloth.

Cleans up the aluminum real nice, and works great on the hard to reach deep dual wheel surfaces. The ball washes off with warm water and lasts quite a while. I can do all four wheels in about 30 minutes.

[two sailors]

Thanks for all the information!