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Old 11-25-2021, 02:50 AM   #1
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F53-F59 Aluminum Wheel Upgrade

Has anyone upgraded wheels with Forged Aluminum wheels? Did it make your Coach ride smoother? Did you feel any difference in your steering wheel input?

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Old 11-25-2021, 04:27 AM   #2
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I don't understand how changing the rims, within the same size parameters, could change the ride or handling?
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Old 11-25-2021, 11:14 AM   #3
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It won’t. Although the weight would decrease. Including the weight in your pocketbook.
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Old 11-25-2021, 03:48 PM   #4
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Aluminum rims look better and have the functional advantage of not having crappy "hub caps" to interfere with checking tire pressure or correctly installed extensions.
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Old 11-25-2021, 05:30 PM   #5
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I have the OE steel wheels with stainless steel simulators. My left front wheel “squeaks” when driving and I couldn’t figure out why. My alignment guy said it’s almost certainly just the wheel simulator flexing with the wheel. I didn’t realize wheels flex that much…
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Old 12-06-2022, 12:28 AM   #6
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If I were to go from 19.5 steel wheels to 19.5 aluminum wheels for steer axle and outside rear duals, will I need different lug nuts?
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Old 12-06-2022, 12:32 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by Jimbo56 View Post
If I were to go from 19.5 steel wheels to 19.5 aluminum wheels for steer axle and outside rear duals, will I need different lug nuts?
You shouldn’t
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Old 12-06-2022, 12:48 AM   #8
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If I were to go from 19.5 steel wheels to 19.5 aluminum wheels for steer axle and outside rear duals, will I need different lug nuts?
That would depend if the new wheels are hub or lug centric.
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Old 12-06-2022, 05:16 AM   #9
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I don't understand how changing the rims, within the same size parameters, could change the ride or handling?

Aluminum wheels usually weigh a little less than steel, so they can reduce suspension unsprung mass a tiny amount. On a motorhome with live axles, which are very heavy regardless of wheel material, the difference between steel and aluminum wheels is likely undetectable by normal drivers. I’m not sure even professional test drivers could tell a difference.

Aluminum wheels are not only lighter, but also transfer heat better, and are usually stiffer
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Old 12-06-2022, 11:04 AM   #10
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If I were to go from 19.5 steel wheels to 19.5 aluminum wheels for steer axle and outside rear duals, will I need different lug nuts?
It depends. Most lug nuts in use today are a conical seat. The aluminum wheels that were on the omni were a flange seat. Omni as you likely are aware are 19.5 and as I recall were Accuride brand. Current RV with 22.5 are Alcoa, as were the 22.5 on a previous DP, but not sure that makes a difference. They are a flange seat lug.
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Old 12-06-2022, 11:36 AM   #11
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I was investigating purchasing a spare. Tire and steel wheel in the $700 range. I ran across a good looking set of 4 aluminum wheels for $1000 with free shipping.
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Old 12-06-2022, 11:48 AM   #12
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It depends. Most lug nuts in use today are a conical seat. The aluminum wheels that were on the omni were a flange seat. Omni as you likely are aware are 19.5 and as I recall were Accuride brand. Current RV with 22.5 are Alcoa, as were the 22.5 on a previous DP, but not sure that makes a difference. They are a flange seat lug.
How would I visually tell the difference?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/25585511602...mis&media=COPY

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Old 12-06-2022, 02:02 PM   #13
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I have never had truck aluminum wheels that didn’t use flange washer type lug nuts

Simply makes sense, the nut rotates, and the washer doesn't
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Old 12-06-2022, 02:32 PM   #14
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How would I visually tell the difference?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/25585511602...mis&media=COPY

If you look at the listing the picture that shows the wheels without the hub caps the surface is flat not conical. Lug nuts for that "shouldn't" be much $$. I haven't bought aluminum wheels separately for a long time but that asking price seems OK. Bay does have a return policy for misrepresentations such as undisclosed damage etc even if an ad say "no returns". Personally I like the look of aluminum wheels.
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Old 12-06-2022, 03:05 PM   #15
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Has anyone upgraded wheels with Forged Aluminum wheels? Did it make your Coach ride smoother? Did you feel any difference in your steering wheel input?
Generally the aluminum wheels from a Ford truck are 6" wide and not 6.75" like used on the F-53 chassis since 2011. The 6" rims are made for a 225/70-19.5" tire. Using these rims with a 245/70-19.5 tire will cause the rear duals to rub.
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Old 12-07-2022, 12:30 AM   #16
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Generally the aluminum wheels from a Ford truck are 6" wide and not 6.75" like used on the F-53 chassis since 2011. The 6" rims are made for a 225/70-19.5" tire. Using these rims with a 245/70-19.5 tire will cause the rear duals to rub.
Yep. I backed off as they are 6” not 6.75”. So I’ll just go look for a used bread truck tire & wheel for a spare.
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Old 12-07-2022, 03:22 AM   #17
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Yep. I backed off as they are 6” not 6.75”. So I’ll just go look for a used bread truck tire & wheel for a spare.
You could get the wheels powder coated, then you would not need the wheel covers the only problem is that you will have the motorhome up on jacks while the powder coating is done. I did something like that with my jeep a while back. I put it up on jacks took the wheels off, rented a pickup truck took the wheels to the tire shop to have the 11-year-old tires dismounted and then took the wheels to the powder coating shop. Hopefully, you can find an understanding tire shop the will put the unit up on jacks in their parking lot and take the wheels off and dismount the tires. Then you can use your TOAD or rent a truck to get the wheels over to the Powdercoat shop.
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