Wheel (rim) question...

[azloafer]

This is a dumb question, but I'll ask it anyway. I have never had a flat and I have never seen the inside wheel of the duals. In a discussion on another forum a poster said that the wheels (rims) are different, depending on the location on the coach. If the wheels are different, said the poster, there is no point having a mounted spare because you might have tire mounted on the wrong type of wheel.

Is this true? Are there two types of wheels on a coach? Joe

[dajudge]

The only way of having different wheels is if you have the aluminum wheels. If you do, the inside rear wheels are steel, but they should basicly be the same shape except they are aluminum. I guess the manufacturers do this to save the cost of two aluminum rims.

[azloafer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dajudge The only way of having different wheels is if you have the aluminum wheels. If you do, the inside rear wheels are steel, but they should basicly be the same shape except they are aluminum. I guess the manufacturers do this to save the cost of two aluminum rims.

The spec sheet for my coach says that the wheels are steel. So in this case are all the wheels exactly the same...even the front wheels? The discussion on another forum really confused me. One poster said that he had a tag axle and would need three different spare wheels!!! Joe

[Gary RVRoamer]

The front wheels are likely different than the rears as well. The duals are deep-dish wheels, while the fronts are more shallow.

Different chassis configurations may use different wheels sizes and types, so generalizations on this subject are risky.

[azloafer]

I guess the other poster (different forum) is correct in that it makes no sense to carry a mounted spare because you can't be sure which tire will blow and you might have the wrong wheel. Thanks, that answers my question. If I carry any spare it will just be the tire. I appreciate the help. Joe

[Hooligan]

Joe: 2008 Itasco on XCS has steel wheels, all should be the same. Your FTL chassis spec sheet is here:
http://freightlinerchassis.com/image...S0304-2008.pdf

Would also show same part numbers for all the rims on Access FTL for your chassis. (The inside dual and the front rims mount facing the same way. The outside rear dual is turned around so the deep dish you see is the inside of the rim.)
If you consider carrying a mounted spare, the tire and rim together weigh 175-200 lbs. Lug nut torque is about 400-450 footpounds. Not easy to change on your own. If you call road service anyway to change a tire, they can easily mount an unmounted spare.

[Vegasdan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by azloafer I guess the other poster (different forum) is correct in that it makes no sense to carry a mounted spare because you can't be sure which tire will blow and you might have the wrong wheel. Thanks, that answers my question. If I carry any spare it will just be the tire. I appreciate the help. Joe

That's the best reason for not carrying one mounted. It would always be the wrong one.

[azloafer]

I think that I am getting paranoid about a flat tire. When I read the posts that say a tire blew and the tire had to be ordered, etc. I see that some people have gone as much as ten years without a flat. I'll just stop thinking "blow-out" and enjoy the ride. Joe

[Chuck 1935]

Joe, all your wheels are the same. The only time you start having mismatch problems are with aluminium wheels. To solve this delemma I joined Coach Net for $90 year. They will come out and if need be, loan you a traveler spare to get you on the road again. Problem solved

[azloafer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck 1935 Joe, all your wheels are the same. The only time you start having mismatch problems are with aluminium wheels. To solve this dilemma I joined Coach Net for $90 year. They will come out and if need be, loan you a traveler spare to get you on the road again. Problem solved

If I go by the posts that talk about good road side assistance, Coach Net appears to be the winner. Thanks, Joe

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

If both inner and outer wheels on the rear are aluminum then you'd have, or need, longer studs because of wheel thickness. This goes against the manufacturer's need to have two lengths of studs depending on type of wheel.

I know this because I was going to upgrade my chassis to aluminum wheels. I priced out six wheels and the company I was dealing with brought it to my attention that I'd have to check my studs to see if they were long enough. Needless to say they weren't.

[azloafer]

Long story short. Even though I have Good Sam Road-Side Service, I am signing up with Coach Net today. It sure helps to know what other coach owners think. Thanks for all the replies. Joe

[Chuck 1935]

azloafer, Thats what I did, Good Sam Extended Warranty, Camping World Roadcare and Coach Net.
I sleep like a baby !!

[dajudge]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV Roamer [Gary] The front wheels are likely different than the rears as well. The duals are deep-dish wheels, while the fronts are more shallow. Different chassis configurations may use different wheels sizes and types, so generalizations on this subject are risky.

I have been driving and owning rvs for many years. In addition, I drove busses for 23 yrs. I have never seen a large vehicle with dual wheels that had different wheels on the front from the factory. The front one ar dished like the rear ones. The onlydifferenceis the front ones are installed dish out.