Lug Bolts for Using Spare Tire

[drgene]

I have Alcoa alum rims on my 24 ft ext dually. Will the lug bolts on the vehicle be too long if I put my steel rim spare on in an emergency. Saw something on this on another forum. MB where service is done could not answer my questions. Neither could Airstream dealer that sold me the unit. Any info out there?

[Boxster1971]

There are no lug bolts on your Interstate. The Sprinter 3500 duallies use lug nuts and mounting the steel spare will not be a problem.

[drgene]

Thanks! I knew better. Realized right after posting. Last summer I jacked my Sprinter up, removed one outside tire, dropped my spare and got familiar with the process. I did not put the spare on the lugs. Found that my jack was defective. MB replaced under warranty. Worth the effort.
Saw the lug bolt info on Sprinter forums. Not sure what they were referring to now.

[Sebtown]

drgene, you probably did read it on one of the forums as this is true on the 2500's. I carry an extra set of lug nuts in the event I need to use my steel spare. Apparently, one can create great damage using the aluminum wheel lug nuts with a steel wheel spare. You may want to consider a set of steel wheel lug nuts in the event you get a front tire flat.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Sebtown

drgene, you probably did read it on one of the forums as this is true on the 2500's. I carry an extra set of lug nuts in the event I need to use my steel spare. Apparently, one can create great damage using the aluminum wheel lug nuts with a steel wheel spare. You may want to consider a set of steel wheel lug nuts in the event you get a front tire flat.

If you have an early model 2500 Sprinter based Interstate you don't have lug NUTS, you have lug BOLTS.

You are confusing issues with the aluminum wheels on 2500 Sprinter that need different lengths of lug bolts for aluminum and thinner steel wheels.

There are no special lug nuts for the aluminum wheels. The lug nuts on late model Interstates, based on the 3500 Sprinter use the factory OEM lug nuts. The same lug nuts are used on steel and the Alcoa aluminum wheels.

[Sebtown]

Thanks Boxster for the clarification. Yes I have an earlier AI which requires different lug bolts. Nice to know the moved to studs and nuts on the later models.