Wheel question

[CrabbyMilton]

I know this was probably covered before. What is the reason why so many buses and trucks with aluminum wheels still have steel on the inside duals?

[chessie4905]

Can't  see them. Most use aluminum for looks.

[oldmansax]

Can't  see them. Most use aluminum for looks.

That was true years ago because aluminum  wheels were a lot more expensive. Lots of vehicles use all aluminum now because of the weight, they run more true, are easier to balance, less leak prone, and they do look better.

TOM

[luvrbus]

I know this was probably covered before. What is the reason why so many buses and trucks with aluminum wheels still have steel on the inside duals?

Cost mostly you don't need  to change studs for the rear and for clearance for cooling , I was told Alcoa's on the inside was a $2000.00 extra  for non polished wheels

[CrabbyMilton]

I figured it was a cost vs. cosmetic issue but perhaps there was another reason too. Although painted steel can look great too as long as they don't get rusted
Hey at least the wheels are interchangeable on such a setup if push comes to shove.
I saw an older FORD dump truck several weeks ago. For some reason it had steel disc on the front and cast spoke on the rear. Can't very well interchange wheel like that. I have seen trucks like that over the years so I don't know what they were thinking when they bought it like that.

[dtcerrato]

In our world of commercial trucking I alway knew that Aluminum wheels all the way around on a tractor trailer led to being able to carry more payload, many 100s of more pounds of payload...

[rancher]

I figured it was a cost vs. cosmetic issue but perhaps there was another reason too. Although painted steel can look great too as long as they don't get rusted
Hey at least the wheels are interchangeable on such a setup if push comes to shove.
I saw an older FORD dump truck several weeks ago. For some reason it had steel disc on the front and cast spoke on the rear. Can't very well interchange wheel like that. I have seen trucks like that over the years so I don't know what they were thinking when they bought it like that.

Back in the 60's and 70's threw the 80's in my area spoke {Dayton} wheels were common place and a lot of tractor trucks had bud on the front and spoke on the rear most were ordered that way as the bud ran a lot truer on the steering axle. My folks had several trucks with bud on the front and spoke on the rear. In my area we are seeing a lot of super singles on tanks and grain trailers now to save weight. 

[chessie4905]

reinstalled several rims over the years with spoke. Some technique required to assure they run true. Also when loosening, leave all nuts on 3 to 4 threads, then hit a clamp with a big hammer to release pressure. Otherwise you'll  have a clamp shoot off like a bullet.

[Van]

I was told Alcoa's on the inside was a $2000.00 extra  for non polished wheels

It cost Lazy Days Fla $800.00 (not including the new studs & lug nuts) 3 years ago for 1 alcoa they trashed when they didn't torque the nuts properly  almost causing the loss of my steer wheel.