Wheels

[JimGolden]

Do you all have any feelings for what brands of aftermarket wheels are the best in terms of quality?

I'm getting ready to do what I'm referring to as the "Mon-Stream" creation and will be going to 8-lug wheels in a 16" size. I've seen many of them out there, from American Racing to lesser known brands to Alcoa. All seem to make 16" rims in weight capacities near 4000lbs.

I was thinking that they all meet the same criteria so there's probably not that much difference,but the only aftermarket aluminum wheels I've bought were American Eagles (which were fine by the way).

Any thoughts?



When I get Mon-Stream going in full project mode, I'll post lots of pics. But I'll give a teaser; I've designed a brand new frame of a deeper cross section, moved the rails so I can fit larger tires, and am generally building a much stouter foundation than Jackson Center did 29 years ago. It's gonna be neat

[uwe]

Originally Posted by JimGolden

Do you all have any feelings for what brands of aftermarket wheels are the best in terms of quality?

I'm getting ready to do what I'm referring to as the "Mon-Stream" creation and will be going to 8-lug wheels in a 16" size. I've seen many of them out there, from American Racing to lesser known brands to Alcoa. All seem to make 16" rims in weight capacities near 4000lbs.

I was thinking that they all meet the same criteria so there's probably not that much difference,but the only aftermarket aluminum wheels I've bought were American Eagles (which were fine by the way).

Any thoughts?



When I get Mon-Stream going in full project mode, I'll post lots of pics. But I'll give a teaser; I've designed a brand new frame of a deeper cross section, moved the rails so I can fit larger tires, and am generally building a much stouter foundation than Jackson Center did 29 years ago. It's gonna be neat

Look here: www.trailertiresandwheels.net

I bought my wheels from her, and the quality is outstanding. They list 8-hole alloys up to 3950lbs. You will find a few of the current Airstream styles on this site.

8 lug wheels and brake drums for trailer might be a bit difficult, and perhaps too heavy duty for what you need. Look at the 6-lug options, brakes and wheels would surely safely carry your creation.

[Beginner]

I went that route. I researched the thought of going to the 8 lug wheels but my drums were still in good shape. I bought Replacment lug studs from Southwest wheel and had them tested for tension and hardness and they were of better quality than the original lug bolts that came with the trailer. I had the studs installed by a tool and die machinest friend (retired) for a nominal fee and bought the Eagle Alloys 058 P/N 0589-7788 (3040 LBS)for $92.00 each. As it turned out the original wheels had a +8mm offset so every thing was fine. The Tire vender loaned me a wheel and 225/75R16 mounted to try for clearance prior to ordering. My unit came original with the Michelin 7.00/15 Load Range D and had GoodYear Marathons when I bought it. The Goodrich Commercial T/A in 225/75R16 Load Range D is the same outside diameter as the original Michelin and the Maximum width of the Marathon. There is plenty of clearance on both sides and all around. I got the tires from COSTCO and they mounted them and filled them with Nitrogen. You will have to take them the wheels only as they will not jack up a travel trailer. "insurance reasons"
Beginner

[juel]

Nitrogen?

[Beginner]

The story goes like this:
The oxygen in the air in the tire passes out through the rubber compound because the molecules of oxygen are smaller than the molecules of the rubber compound. While the oxygen is passing out through the rubber it is oxidizing the rubber. This shortens the life of the tire. You can see this because our tires require "airing" every so often to bring them back up to pressure.
The other reason is because the tire pressure varies less with nitrogen than with air from cold tire to hot tire because there is no moisture or oxygen in nitrogen. This is easy to see with a tire pressure monitor system. Also the rims will not rust/corrode nearly as bad if at all with the nitrogen.
Naval Aviation I know has been using Nitrogen for decades in their airplane tires.
That is what I've been told. My wife's sedan has a tire with nitrogen in it and the other three have air. The tire with nitrogen has not required qir since it was installed two years ago. Yes I've checked it. The other three on occasion have needed to be aired up a little.
Beginner

[azflycaster]

Originally Posted by juel

Nitrogen?

When I was in the USAF (late 60's - early 70's) that's all we used in the aircraft tires.

[malconium]

From the benefits listed it sounds like a good idea to me. Is nitrogen commonly available at major tire vendors? How much does it cost?

Thanks,

Malcolm

[SilverToy]

Hello all -

I know from a recent tire refit, that at Costco they use ONLY Nitrogen to fill tires bought and mounted there. They use a green stem cap.

Had a tire puncture ( near the sidewall) and they didn't even need the paperwork to replace - "You have a green cap..." and that was all it took....

Asked about the reasoning of nitrogen fill and the 'less difference in hot/cold pressure' was cited, as was the rubber oxidation. Guess these guys at my CostCo know tires..!?

That's all I know about that there subject!

Peace

Axel

[JimGolden]

Another benefit at least for aircraft use is that nitrogen doesn't support combustion. Say the plane is on fire and you're trying to get out before the wing tank lets go (assuming you got it on the ground). When the tire burns through and you get a huge rush of air (which is 80% nitrogen, about 19% oxygen, and about 1% everything else) to fan the fire and give it a quick boost. Not good.

[Action]

Do a search on nitrogen. It has been discussed much here.

If I may weigh in on the discussion, I would accept nitrogen if it was offered for free. Since as jim points out above the air we breathe contains 75 to 80 % nitrogen now, I am not sure it would have a benefit for me that I would be willing to pay money. Also the oxygen molecule is heavier and about the same size as nitrogen. So better leak prevention, seems like a stretch for me. And the air in AZ is pretty dry so corrosion inside on the wheel or damage to the tire when it already opperates in air on the outside seems like some marketing at work.

I would grant you that dry air it a good thing when filling tires. And Nitrogen may have some benefit if the tires were on a vehicle that travels 150 MPH on take off and landing. Or experienced temp extremes of 36,000 feet in altitude. I just don't drive like that. I guess I am a little slow.

Lastly if I did need to top off my tires cause they got low (i always run at max pressure) finding a nitrogen pump in Ajo AZ is difficult at best.

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