Aluminum Wheels

[niftypkg]

Original OEM steel wheels (rusted); 3 rusted hub caps. What to do?? Wheels are beat up. New aluminum wheels would be nice. Is it worth it? Any suggestions? Where to buy? 1971 27' Overlander.

[mistral blue]

Don't know where to buy them, but would it be worth it? Of course! What else are you going to spend the money on? Food?
I say go for it.
You live in Arizona dontcha? You're not supposed to have anything there with rust on it!

[GStephens]

There are four aluminum wheels reportedly from an Airstream for sale on eBay right now. I think I remember a buy it now price of $600. They were really polished up and looked for all the world like brand new ones, they were so shiney. You might check them out.
GStephens

[boatdoc]

Originally Posted by niftypkg

Original OEM steel wheels (rusted); 3 rusted hub caps. What to do?? Wheels are beat up. New aluminum wheels would be nice. Is it worth it? Any suggestions? Where to buy? 1971 27' Overlander.

Hi niftypkg. Restoring my 1973 26' Argosy I have considered aluminum wheels, but at the price of $1400.00 for four 2600# capacity wheels, the galvanized looked mighty good. Spent $210.00 for five of them. With Range D Maxxis tires my dealer cost for set of five was $509.00. While aluminum would look nice I could not see myself burning money on functional stuff. I rather spend the money on comfort. Thanks, "Boatdoc"

[krazeekalvin]

You would think there should be some hanging around. Have you check any rv salvage sites?

[jimmickle]

Take a look at RJay's POerformance center. Buy Hi-Spec Aluminum Trailer Wheels & Accessories at RJay's Performance Center!

[niftypkg]

Thanks for the tip Jimmickle and all others that replied. Yes I live in Az. Only humans rust here; it's called sunburn! What is the weight rating I should need. My trailer weighs 4300# dry, as per the 1972 catalog. Bootdoc, 2400# seems like a lot for that trailer! Is that spec? No, I wouldn't spent $1400 for those tires either.

[scottanlily]

Hello niftypkg,

I recommend the steel wheels ,how about some cool chrome ones ?Many
issues with aluminum wheels and loose lug nuts and over torquing ,broken studs and the like .SEARCH FUNCTION the subject and then decide what you want to do .The aluminum wheels require checking the torque all the time
you use your coach ,the steel wheels will not require any extra effort .

Scott

[Marti]

I got my husband's Baby moons on ebay. sometimes you can catch a good deal, but be careful who you shop with on ebay.

[Action]

N,

Don't know how often you make the 100 mile trip to the Valley of the Sun, however when you do I would recommend this place. They are friendly, have a good inventory and know their stuff. While some may object that used isn't the way to go, I have purchased many items from them and have had no issues. Their website is awesome too.
Downside..... not a nice section of town and parking is limited.

Arizona R.V. Salvage Inc

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[rickandsandi]

Right now I am looking at taking off the fancy aluminum wheels off the Trade Wind and replacing them with black steel with chrome Baby Moons with White Wall tires!

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by niftypkg

Thanks for the tip Jimmickle and all others that replied. Yes I live in Az. Only humans rust here; it's called sunburn! What is the weight rating I should need. My trailer weighs 4300# dry, as per the 1972 catalog. Bootdoc, 2400# seems like a lot for that trailer! Is that spec? No, I wouldn't spent $1400 for those tires either.

Wheels are spec'ed for 2600 pound capacity from Airstream. The wheels flex more than an auto wheel, and can possibly carry more load more of the time. Some Argosy twin axle trailers had 1900 pound wheels, but I would not recommend less than Airstream originally wanted.

[niftypkg]

Thanks for all the input.

[rebel beck]

The past owner put alcoa rims on ours and they look nice, when we bought the airstream he told us he wanted the rims on the trailer to match the rims on his truck

[Ganglin]

What type of A/S wheel covers do you have? I have 4 1970's aluminum covers that I'm planning to replace this spring. One is very scuffed from being curbed the other 3 are OK. These are the ones that are plain in the center. I'm changing to the 70's style that has the blue center.

[malconium]

Here are a couple of other sources I have been looking at for wheels (aluminum and otherwise). The second one even sells complete wheel and tire combinations.

Tires & Wheels: Low Cost Trailer Supplies

Trailer Parts and Acc. trailer couplers

I don't have any direct experience with either of these suppliers but I will have to buy all new wheels and tires when I get to that point in my remodel process so I would be very interested in more information as to exact products and sources for the wheels and tires people have chosen so that I can make a well informed choice when I get to that point.

So please keep the recommendations coming...

Malcolm

[w5wi]

You might try Colaw's. He has a large selection of vintage Airstreams.

Try this link COLAW RV PARTS & SALVAGE | WE HAVE YOUR PART!

Cheers,

dale