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08-14-2008, 12:44 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
1996 34' Excella
Elberta
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 837
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Alcoa Wheels
OK, so we're ready to go to Mystic Springs AS part for the weekend....went through my checklist ready to leave...trailer loaded, etc.etc...
Check the air pressure in tires all at 65PSI, right where they should be. Hmmmmm.....looks like a hairline crack where a spoke and rim go together. Damn, it is a hairline crack about 1/3 of the way across the spoke....Well, I'd better check all of them....so to save a lot of time, 3 of the 4 wheels have hairline cracks in the aluminum wheels....
Called AS customer service, since my AS is a 2000 Excella it's obviously out of warrenty, so I was referred to Alcoa.
Talked to the warrenty center, I gave him the numbers off the wheel.....come to find out there are a few Alcoa aluminum wheels that have a recall notice.....
BUT, as you would suspect, mine are not on the list....so I'm stuck with buying a new set of wheels...
Do any of you have an idea where is the best place to buy aluminum wheels, and what brand do you recommend...I'm not especially interested in Alcoa after this...
Thanks for any help offered.
Larry C.
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08-14-2008, 12:52 PM
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#2
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Site Team
2002 25' Safari
Dewey
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,618
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Janet has just purchased some wheels, check out this thread:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f232...oll-44081.html
__________________
Richard
Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
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08-14-2008, 12:55 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1991 34' Excella
Princeton
, New Jersey
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,070
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These are Chinese but then I would believe any you can find are now made in China.
Aluminum Trailer Wheels
I chose the 16 in wheels and Michelin LT tires because there are no longer any 15 in trailer tires made in the USA.
Make sure what ever you do to question the valve stems anyone puts on your rig. There is a recall out for 6,000,000 bad stems. Use metal HP to be sure you don't get the junk.
__________________
WBCCI 12156 AIR 3144 WACHUNG TAC NJ6
2004 Excursion 4x4
1991 34 ft. Excella +220,000 miles, new laminated flooring, new upholstery, new 3200 lbs axles
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08-14-2008, 12:57 PM
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#4
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4 Rivet Member
2005 30' Safari
Houston Texas
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 480
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Alcoas..
I am really surprised to hear this about the Alcoa forged wheels. They are about 2.5 times stronger than steel and will not rust and beautiful to boot. Most car hauler types, racecar trailers, use the same wheels as the Airstreams did. It is my understanding that these wheels did not work with the axles they went with in 06 due to the off-set, and not to mention the cast aluminum wheels they use now that are made in China are probably less than half the cost. I would not use any cast aluminum wheel on my Airstream, forged only.
If I were in your shoes I would replace the wheel and just keep an eye on them. Are you sure you did not curb them or hit a hole?
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08-14-2008, 01:45 PM
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#5
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4 Rivet Member
2000 31' Land Yacht
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 497
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08-14-2008, 07:05 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1996 34' Excella
Elberta
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 837
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SafariSS
I am really surprised to hear this about the Alcoa forged wheels. They are about 2.5 times stronger than steel and will not rust and beautiful to boot. Most car hauler types, racecar trailers, use the same wheels as the Airstreams did. It is my understanding that these wheels did not work with the axles they went with in 06 due to the off-set, and not to mention the cast aluminum wheels they use now that are made in China are probably less than half the cost. I would not use any cast aluminum wheel on my Airstream, forged only.
If I were in your shoes I would replace the wheel and just keep an eye on them. Are you sure you did not curb them or hit a hole?
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Yes, I'm quite sure I did not "curb" them, even if I did, do you think it's likely that 3 out of 4 of the wheels that are on this trailer got "curbed"?
These wheels are forged wheels, HOWEVER- I was told by the warrently guy at Alcoa, that they were designed by Alcoa to be used on light trucks, not trailers....also, it's a 7" wide rim, rated for only 2,200 pounds, the replacement wheels that I'll be getting are 6" (the proper wideth for the tires) and are rated for 2,800 pounds per wheel.
Thanks for your response, I'll keep y'all posted as to how this turns out. The problem is a very obvious structural failure, Alcoa and I will be talking again tomorrow.
Larry
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08-14-2008, 07:07 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1996 34' Excella
Elberta
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 837
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmickle
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I talked to Hi-Spec today, and will be ordering 4 of their wheels tomorrow...AFTER my chat with Alcoa.....thanks for the response
Larry
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08-14-2008, 07:11 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1996 34' Excella
Elberta
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 837
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HowieE
These are Chinese but then I would believe any you can find are now made in China.
Aluminum Trailer Wheels
I chose the 16 in wheels and Michelin LT tires because there are no longer any 15 in trailer tires made in the USA.
Make sure what ever you do to question the valve stems anyone puts on your rig. There is a recall out for 6,000,000 bad stems. Use metal HP to be sure you don't get the junk.
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Thanks for the tip, their prices seem to be competitive...
Larry C
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08-14-2008, 08:04 PM
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#9
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2 Rivet Member
2000 31' Excella
montgomery
, Alabama
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 22
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Larry: I have the very same wheels on my 2000 Excella. I do not have cracks, that I know of, but I will know by daylight tomorrow. I have been told 2 of mine are warped. I have done nothing to warp the wheels. Do you have the numbers for the wheels that have been recalled? The phone number where I can talk to someone? Let me know what you find out tomorrow. I need all the help I can get.
Thanks. Mike
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08-15-2008, 06:57 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1996 34' Excella
Elberta
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 837
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ramble Can
Larry: I have the very same wheels on my 2000 Excella. I do not have cracks, that I know of, but I will know by daylight tomorrow. I have been told 2 of mine are warped. I have done nothing to warp the wheels. Do you have the numbers for the wheels that have been recalled? The phone number where I can talk to someone? Let me know what you find out tomorrow. I need all the help I can get.
Thanks. Mike
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Sorry, I didn't keep my note on the ones that have been recalled, I do remember however, that they were 16" wheels, and not the 15" that our AS has....the guys name at the warrenty/recall office is "Buddy", his phone number is 330.835.6011.....this is a direct line to his desk....good luck!
Larry C
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08-15-2008, 08:33 AM
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#11
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2 Rivet Member
2000 31' Excella
montgomery
, Alabama
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 22
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Thanks. Larry
I will call today and find out today what I can find out on my wheels.
Mike
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