Tire & Wheel Hunting (specifically for 12R24.5's for a 4106)

[gus]

I'm with RJ, nothing looks and works better than white five hole steel wheels.

[artvonne]

Back when your bus was new, Greyhound used white painted steel wheels with "Greyhound Blue" in the center hub area.  You can see it in this pic of their restored Scenicruiser (PD4501-001, btw):

FWIW & HTH. . .

  Looks like the front brake drum is white too?? Any reasoning behind that???

  Reading all the pro's and cons of steel vs alloy, im thinking of staying with steel. But am considering painting the wheels an nice aluminum alloy color with a clear coat.

  Best of both worlds???

[luvrbus]

Back when his bus was new was before aluminum wheels lol aluminum would be my choice I ran aluminum on all my trucks and trailers very,very seldom will you see a aluminum wheel with the center tore out very common on a steel wheel.
Aluminum wheels run straighter, lighter ,cooler and more easy to balance than steel and they never wear out they are completely rebuidable even with cracks,socket damage and bent spots and you won't do that with steel there are places across the US that rebuid aluminum wheels cost around 100 bucks for each 24.5 wheel

good look  

[Chopper Scott]

My vote is for the steel wheels because that's what I have!! Over the road trucks like the aluminum wheels because it eliminates weight giving more payload. But if your choice is the aluminum route I sure wouldn't waste my time with rebuilt or repolished rims when you can buy Alcoa Durabrites. Those rims will not require constant reshining and such. Not sure on the availability of stud piloted versions but you know how to Google.

[luvrbus]

The Durabrite  is over a 400 $ wheel  I am still having a hard time with the guy in Yuma charging him a 130.00 for a 80 $ steel wheel and it is not even my money I would have to tell that guy were he could put his wheels

good luck

[artvonne]

I would have to tell that guy were he could put his wheels

  Thats gonna hurt, lol

[technomadia]

I am still having a hard time with the guy in Yuma charging him a 130.00 for a 80 $ steel wheel and it is not even my money

I think, sadly, we're paying the 'Need it this week-ish in Yuma summer price'. 

Oh well... sure beats staying in Yuma another 2 weeks waiting for other options.  We're getting lots of projects done, but anxious to get on the road and meet luvrbus!!

 - Cherie

[JohnEd]

In Phoenix they have a generic deal called "the camper special".  They don't tell you that you should grab your ankles but you must for that much penetration.  Snow Birds are never out of season there.  I have been dealt with by truly fine people and "bidnessmen" but I have also "escaped" a few of the other type with an agenda.  Maybe it's the same everywhere but I think there are concentrations of dirt at various locations across the country. IMHO

John

[TomC]

When I replaced all my 8 steel wheels with 8 new Alcoas on my big rig, I could feel a difference in the ride.  It didn't pound quite so bad going over bumps in the road.  Even though a bus is tremendously heavy, the unsprung weight of the axle, brakes, wheels and tires will make a difference of keeping the tires on the ground.  The heavier the mass, the more reaction there will be-hence a worse ride.
Advantages to Aluminum-Looks good, dissipates heat better, cools faster, is lighter for a better ride.
Disadvantages-Higher cost, needs polishing to keep looking good, will crack if you hit a curb (don't ask how I know this).
Advantage for steel-low cost, easy to paint any color, if you do hit something and bend it-can bent it back with a BFH.
Disadvantage for steel-doesn't cool as quickly as aluminum, heavier so ride is not as good as could be.

[luvrbus]

Thanks TomC I try to tell people aluminum wheels give a better ride your bus doesn't rattle as bad either they are just better wheels they do away with the road shock

good luck

[gus]

Never heard the better ride bit before but the decreased unsprung weight is obvious.

I'll still trade my four Al wheels for steel to the first offer!

[artvonne]

  Gus, Ill take up your offer.

[gus]

Paul,

I sent a reply to your PM.