Wheel Simulators lost

[pwoods]

Lost the passenger side wheel simulators on our new Vegas on an E450 chassis. Are they snap-on or bolt on? Has anyone had them fall off? Or were they stolen ? (Kind of hard to believe that front and rear fell off the same day.)

 

[ghnl]

Our former MH (Class C on E450 chassis) would regularly lose the wheel covers/simulators. There was a thin steel ring clipped to the wheel studs and two 1/4" screws that were supposed to secure the simulators to the steel ring. I'd tighten those small screws daily (despite using blue Loctite). I finally gave up buying replacements (eBay was a good source) and stored them in the garage until it was time to sell the motorhome. I think that concrete highways (ka-thump, ka-thump, ka-thump) were the worst offenders.

Our current ACE (F53 chassis) has the simulators attached directly to the wheel studs with three lug nuts (the other six or eight are fakes). Much more secure.

 

[ducksface]

Consider painting the wheels themselves a nice complimenting color.
No more worry.

 

[CactusJuice]

Consider painting the wheels themselves a nice complimenting color.
No more worry.

And far less trouble checking tire pressure. I took the covers off of mine after I rented one in Alaska that had them removed. They stayed off till I sold it.

 

[blw2]

mine came with pretty chrome simulators. Maybe like yours or maybe a different style, I don't know.

Anyway, the hand holds in mine where a bit too small and too sharp to conveniently get into the tire valves. That along with the leaky extenders they had on all 6 tires, I fought and struggled quite a while with those things before I finally decided to remove them and banish them to storage for resale.... One of the best moves I made on this rig! Doesn't look nearly as nice, but at least it's useable!

To your question...mine just had some teeth that grabs onto the steel wheel...just like old hub caps on nearly every car when I was a kid. Just use any pry bar to leverage them off...and a rubber mallet or your fist to put them back on....

 

[pwoods]

Thanks for your helpful comments. Will decide between painting (maybe black) or getting bolt-on type after this trip. Maybe the other two will fall off

 

[HarryTh]

After installing the hub caps I put two tie wraps on each wheel. I recently had the tires rotated after 10000 miles and 2 years and I had to cut them off as they were still on all wheels.
Harry

 

[rtaggio]

Wheel simulators (aka hubcaps) are just a pain in the ass and after a few pleasurable tire pressure adjustments will most likely be removed and put on a shelf for the day you need so sell.

 

[paulwadley]

On my prior coach, I lost one and replaced it. They do not stay on without help from zip ties. When I lost the first one, I thought about if it hit another car what kind of damage it might do or cause so the zip ties were the way to go to keep them firmly attached.

Paul

 

[16ACE27]

Wheel simulators (aka hubcaps) are just a pain in the ass and after a few pleasurable tire pressure adjustments will most likely be removed and put on a shelf for the day you need so sell.

Wheel Simulators
Hubcaps
Wheel Covers
Beauty Rings

are all different things

 

[rtaggio]

Wheel Simulators
Hubcaps
Wheel Covers
Beauty Rings

are all different things

It truly makes no difference what they're actually called, in the end I still call them a pain in the ass.

 

[twovillagers-THOR]

An additional concern

Lost the passenger side wheel simulators on our new Vegas on an E450 chassis. Are they snap-on or bolt on? Has anyone had them fall off? Or were they stolen ? (Kind of hard to believe that front and rear fell off the same day.)

One additional concern with wheel simulators as the grip wears from being removed and reinstalled. The rear wheels flex with rough pavement and the simulators will eventually rotate and impinge on the valve extenders.

I have purchased stainless steel ties and tool and will install on all four simulators before using the RV again.

 

[skyguy737]

We use stainless steel cable ties...takes two attached together, to secure half the wheel simulator to the steel wheel. Bought a package 4 years ago after losing one rear wheel simulator on a rough road. Bought the replacement on Ebay, and secured with the SS cable ties haven't had an issue since.

 

[MGIORD]

Hello - I am new to the community & this is my first post - Have been reading all the great info on threads since October ——

Within the first 30 miles I put on my new 2024 Axis driving on I-94, I saw the passenger rear simulator fling off behind me, rolling like lightning in my rear view across the medium, across opposing lanes …. & thankfully not hit anyone!
I would be thrilled TwoVillagers to see what you used to secure your caps - I haven’t been able to figure it out.

 

[twovillagers-THOR]

Reply

Hello - I am new to the community & this is my first post - Have been reading all the great info on threads since October ——

Within the first 30 miles I put on my new 2024 Axis driving on I-94, I saw the passenger rear simulator fling off behind me, rolling like lightning in my rear view across the medium, across opposing lanes …. & thankfully not hit anyone!
I would be thrilled TwoVillagers to see what you used to secure your caps - I haven’t been able to figure it out.

This is what I purchased from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CR4BY2N1?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

There are a number of different sets of staineless steel zip ties with the tool to install them.

Shorter zip ties can be joined together, but I also purchases 18 inch stainless steel zip ties. Total cost of all was about $50.

I haven't yet installed them due to the heat and the fact I'm not going to use my Vegas for a few months.

 

[RWtoy255]

Simulators

We have a 2022 E450 Four Winds 24F, lost our first left front Simulator before our first gas stop on our first trip out. Replaced it with one from Amazon and lost that one with in 50 miles after installing it.
Now installed the bolt on type and have had no additional issues. I like the look.

 

[Galobo]

Stainless steel zip-ties worked for us, I have noticed some wheels painted with high quality chrome color spray paint that looked nice.