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Old 04-19-2018, 02:37 PM   #1
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2000 30' Excella
Paris , Ontario
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Posts: 16
Rim cracked in many places

Driving along and TPMS showed low tire pressure. Stopped and put air in. Checked 20 minutes later and air was back down. Upon looking further, it was noticed that the rim was cracked. Put on spare and ok for now.
The other tire on the same side has been losing air but I cannot see any stress cracks,
Looking for any ideas pertaining to possible causes.

Steve
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Old 04-19-2018, 02:50 PM   #2
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When you say stress cracks, are these steel wheels?
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Old 04-19-2018, 03:06 PM   #3
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Welcome to the forum Notacottage. Do you have any pictures of rims- cracks?
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Old 04-19-2018, 08:18 PM   #4
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2000 30' Excella
Paris , Ontario
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Aluminum rims
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Old 04-19-2018, 08:19 PM   #5
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2000 30' Excella
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I will have some tomorrow
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Old 04-19-2018, 08:20 PM   #6
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2000 30' Excella
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markdoane View Post
When you say stress cracks, are these steel wheels?
Rims are aluminum
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Old 04-20-2018, 09:44 AM   #7
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1965 24' Tradewind
almena , Wisconsin
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Cracked Wheels!

Would really need more info like what PSI you are running and how much weight is on each tire. My initial thought is that you are running an HD LT tire with probably 60 to 80 PSI which is way too much even if the rim is rated for it. You are needlessly shaking your AS apart. Also, Aluminum alloy wheels are known for occasionally having metallurgy flaws so, if they are fairly new, check your warranty!!!
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Old 04-20-2018, 09:47 AM   #8
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billings , Montana
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Notacottage View Post
Driving along and TPMS showed low tire pressure. Stopped and put air in. Checked 20 minutes later and air was back down. Upon looking further, it was noticed that the rim was cracked. Put on spare and ok for now.
The other tire on the same side has been losing air but I cannot see any stress cracks,
Looking for any ideas pertaining to possible causes.

Steve
It happens, you need to replace all of them......have seen cracks in new ones...
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Old 04-20-2018, 09:48 AM   #9
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1975 27' Overlander
Galena , Illinois
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cracked rims

It is possible for aluminum to get stress cracks that can leak air. I was a aluminum parts inspector for Johnson Outboard Motors back in the 70's. This happens when the rims are cast and removed from their dies. Sometimes taken out crooked or mishandled they get almost invisible cracks that can leak air. Try over inflating your tire and then submerge the tire and rim in a large bucket of water and then slowly rotate. If you see any bubbles coming from the RIM, (not the tire or the air stem) your rim is shot and you should recycle it immediately. DO NOT put it back on the trailer. At a certain presure point it WILL totally break apart causing a major problem especially if your trailer has only one axle. Use a majic marker to circle the air outlet and try taking it back to Airstream. This would not be something that you caused. Hopfully you picked up a small tack and it's just a inconveniate repair. good luck.
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Old 04-20-2018, 09:51 AM   #10
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Spray them with soapy water
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Old 04-20-2018, 01:43 PM   #11
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Are they the Alcoa wheels ? That came on the 2000 model year ?
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Old 04-20-2018, 04:18 PM   #12
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The older Airstream rims with oval slots are subject to rim cracking. These were Western's rims. Especially, if you have upgraded to "E" tires and are running 80 psi. I would buy modern rims if they are old or if you are planning to upgrade to LTX Michelin "Es".
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Old 04-22-2018, 05:53 AM   #13
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2000 30' Excella
Paris , Ontario
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Quote:
Originally Posted by woodfox45 View Post
Are they the Alcoa wheels ? That came on the 2000 model year ?
Yes they are
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Old 04-22-2018, 05:54 AM   #14
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2000 30' Excella
Paris , Ontario
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Quote:
Originally Posted by guskmg View Post
The older Airstream rims with oval slots are subject to rim cracking. These were Western's rims. Especially, if you have upgraded to "E" tires and are running 80 psi. I would buy modern rims if they are old or if you are planning to upgrade to LTX Michelin "Es".
guskmg
Running 50 psi
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Old 04-22-2018, 06:03 AM   #15
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2000 30' Excella
Paris , Ontario
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Cracked Alcoa rim

Rim had stress cracks and lost air. Not sure what caused the problem. We did hear a scraping noise when starting up at a slow drive when pulling out.
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Old 04-22-2018, 06:10 AM   #16
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Wow! Better at least to see the damage while the wheel is still intact. That could have turned ugly...
Good catch!
Bruce
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Old 04-24-2018, 05:20 AM   #17
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2000 30' Excella
Paris , Ontario
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Aluminum
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Old 04-24-2018, 05:22 AM   #18
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2000 30' Excella
Paris , Ontario
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Psi

Quote:
Originally Posted by mykytiukr View Post
Would really need more info like what PSI you are running and how much weight is on each tire. My initial thought is that you are running an HD LT tire with probably 60 to 80 PSI which is way too much even if the rim is rated for it. You are needlessly shaking your AS apart. Also, Aluminum alloy wheels are known for occasionally having metallurgy flaws so, if they are fairly new, check your warranty!!!
PSI is 50
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Old 05-20-2018, 09:36 PM   #19
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2003 30' Classic S/O
Aspen , Colorado
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ALCOA Craftmanship

Time for new tires and the tire guy points out that 3 of my 4 ALCOA wheels have failed. Too bad they don't last as long as the trailers, or come with an expiration date... 2003 30' Classic SO. Let's be careful out there...
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Old 05-20-2018, 11:27 PM   #20
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1991 34' Excella
2009 34' Panamerica
Telluride , Colorado
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All of these rims have cracked or will crack. AS replaced these as a good will gesture until they ran out. Alcoa ran out of these in 2007.
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