Community Forums

mpinva · 01-03-2017, 08:24 AM

Anyone know of or researched upgrading their 19.5 steel wheels to the 22" alcoa-type wheels on the later model F53 Class A chassis? Have to consider wheelwell clearance, rim width, offset, centerbore, etc. Not concerned with cost of upgrade, just want to determine if it is possible. Really dislike dealing with the steel wheels and the wheel liners and wondering if the larger wheels tires would give a better ride/handling.

530ktm · 01-03-2017, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpinva

Anyone know of or researched upgrading their 19.5 steel wheels to the 22" alcoa-type wheels on the later model F53 Class A chassis? Have to consider wheelwell clearance, rim width, offset, centerbore, etc. Not concerned with cost of upgrade, just want to determine if it is possible. Really dislike dealing with the steel wheels and the wheel liners and wondering if the larger wheels tires would give a better ride/handling.

A member on here known as LVRVLVR did this mod to a new coach not long ago. Look him up and read some of his posts.

Caswelld · 01-06-2017, 10:06 AM

You might give a shout to the manufacturer. You'll likely find someone there with most of the info you need.

Clay L · 01-06-2017, 11:30 AM

One thing to consider - can the engine computer be reprogrammed to account for the revolutions per mile change? There are a number of items that will affected such as transmission shift points and speedometer accuracy.

**JohnRR** · 01-06-2017, 12:02 PM

If all your looking to do is

Quote:

Really dislike dealing with the steel wheels and the wheel liners and wondering if the larger wheels tires would give a better ride/handling.

Why not just use 19.5 aluminum wheels?

Easyrider · 01-06-2017, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnRR

If all your looking to do is

Why not just use 19.5 aluminum wheels?

Wouldn't improve the ride would it?

**JohnRR** · 01-06-2017, 10:18 PM

All the trucks I've bought with steel wheels have had the ride improved by switching steel to the same size with aluminum not as much unsprung weight.

I'm talking over 20 tow trucks of all sizes over the past three plus decades.

mpinva · 01-09-2017, 09:25 AM

Thanks for the info. To date, just can't seem to find enough definitive info online about bolt patterns, rim width, offset and centerbore of Alcoa-type aluminum rims that could fit on a F53 Class A chassis.

MoCoTom · 01-09-2017, 12:30 PM

I would research the Ford chassis manuals and look at the different gear ratios for the two tire sizes. You will find the chassis with 22.5" wheels has a much lower ratio than the 19". The larger diameter of the 22.5 tire will have a significant affect on the pulling power and over all driveablity of your coach. The change in speedometer accuracy will be a minor problem in comparision.

Vicr · 01-09-2017, 12:53 PM

You have to change axles. This question was posted on another forum and I went to Ford's chassis website and found that the wheel size correlates to different axles with, as stated earlier, different differential gears.

tderonne · 01-09-2017, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoCoTom

I would research the Ford chassis manuals and look at the different gear ratios for the two tire sizes. You will find the chassis with 22.5" wheels has a much lower ratio than the 19". The larger diameter of the 22.5 tire will have a significant affect on the pulling power and over all driveablity of your coach. The change in speedometer accuracy will be a minor problem in comparision.

Actually the axle ratio change is more tied to GVWR than tire diameter. On chassis where there is an optional 22.5" wheel/tire, they use the same ratio for both the base 19.5" setup and the 22.5".

To the OP:

There is only 1 (or 2) 19.5" wheels from Ford that will fit an F53. It's a 19.5"x6.0" rim they use on F550s, in either an 8 or 10 lug pattern (that's the 2). That rim is only approved for 225 tires. A 6.75" rim is required for most 245 tires, and that's what Ford used when they used 245 tires. So if you happen to have a 16k or 18K chassis that has 225 tires, there is a rim you could potentially swap to. The 22.5" stuff uses a different bolt pattern all together, 8x275 (19.5 being 8 or 10x225).

jharrell · 01-10-2017, 07:49 AM

LVRVLUVR is the only one I know of who successfully did it, here is a thread with some pics of his 2015 Vista with them:

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/hey-...me-257251.html

He tried on his 2016 Vista, but the wheel wells weren't big enough, he got 19.5 aluminum instead:

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f101/hey-...-267083-3.html

Send him a pm I think hes still around, or search his posts, the specifics are in there somewhere.

Hurricane Owner · 01-13-2017, 11:11 PM

I went from steel to aluminum on my coach. They are 6" wide, but I run the 225 on them. That's what came on it. Steele wheel weighs about 67lbs, aluminum about 36lbs. From memory, so don't quote me on that. Came from an F550. American Force makes a direct bolt on in a 19x6.75, and a 22.5.

AITG · 01-14-2017, 09:31 AM

Good info here. If wheel covers are annoying you, remove and discard. I had the dealer take mine off before we left the lot. They serve no purpose other than looks.