conversion to 16" wheels and tires

[jm2]

we're acquiring a 1977 Argosy Motorhome that is equipped with the factory 16.5" sized wheels and tires.

we're considering replacing & upgrading the wheels and tires to 16" polished aluminums with an appropriately sized radial tire.

if you own and operate, or have previously owned and operated an Airstream or Argosy Motorhome fitted with 16" wheels and tires,

we'd love to hear what wheels and tires you have used, and how you like them?


thanks!

[bkahler]

Joesph,

I do own an Argosy that I swapped over to 16" wheels but I unfortunately I haven't yet operated the Argosy with those wheels. I made the change due to the dwindling availability of 16.5" tires. I had an old 81 chevy dually pickup with 16" wheels that we were getting rid of so I swapped all of the wheels and tires from it to the motorhome. They are all steel wheels with nice chrome finishers.

I'll be watching this thread with interest.

Brad

[jm2]

hi, Brad!

good to hear from you, again.

here's a few tidbits of what else I've learned so far -

Alcoa Wheels stopped making product that fits our old P30 based vehicles at the end of last year. their tech /sales rep told me yesterday that he has nothing left in inventory.

American Eagle has a series '0589' that are polished on both sides, but doesn't fit at the inside of the rear axle, only the outside position; you have to use a steel wheel, just as you have done for the inner wheel.

which sort of defeats the purpose, but that appears to be as good as it gets.

[bkahler]

Joesph,

I wouldn't say I'm "back" But I do try to check the forums when I have the time. Hopefully this winter or early next year I can dive into the refurbishment of the Argosy. We'll see

As far as I know on the Classic series (310, 345, etc) the inner wheel of the duallies was always a steel wheel. At least that is the case for our 310 and 345.

So for the Argosy motorhomes you should only need to buy four aluminum wheels, keep two steel wheels for the inner wheels and one as a spare. That does kind of keep the cost down a little bit.

Brad

[jm2]

Brad,

do you know the offset measurement of the original 16.5" dually wheels?

I'm told that you can use a 1976-2000 6x16 steel Chevy dually wheel as you mention above. I'm presuming that both diameter wheels have the same offset? ( 5" ?? )

best,

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by jm2

Brad,

do you know the offset measurement of the original 16.5" dually wheels?

Unfortunately I do not. However after swapping the 16.5 wheels onto the dually pickup I didn't notice any difference in look on the truck and the 16" wheels we put on the motorhome seem to look and fit properly.

I'm told that you can use a 1976-2000 6x16 steel Chevy dually wheel as you mention above. I'm presuming that both diameter wheels have the same offset? ( 5" ?? )

best,

I would think the 16" and 16.5" wheels would have the same offset. I don't have any 16.5" wheels to measure so I can't help there.

Brad