Steel & Aluminum Wheel Questions

[rtpn60]

Hello All, I was having issues trying to reach the inner tire on my 78FC35 to verify pressures. I had purchased a steel braided extender but the clamp will not fit the 1" think aluminum wheels.

Once I removed the outer aluminum wheel I found the inner was a steel wheel. Now I have many questions.

1) is it ok to mix steel and aluminum wheels on the same axle?

2) I know if you switch from steel to aluminum you must change the studs, don't you also have to change the studs if they are mixed too? The studs are sticking out 1.304", the inner steel rims are .475", and the aluminum outer wheels are .936". The studs are not long enough for my torque multiplier to work as it cannot grab the square stud tip once seated on the nut. So I'm assuming there are some standard distances that are not being met now by the mix in wheels?

3) I see I have 11R24.5's on the rear and 11R22.5's on the front. After measuring the diameter it appears these tires have almost the same diameter. The difference is the tread to rim distance on the 11R22.5's are much greater >1.5". I think I'd rather have all these the same size so they can be moved around without issues. So the only thing that pops to mind are weight ratings, cost, and availability. Am I missing anything else here? At 27,000 lbs I'm thinking I really won't have too much of a weight issue.

[iamflagman]

Originally Posted by rtpn60

Am I missing anything else here? At 27,000 lbs I'm thinking I really won't have too much of a weight issue.

Check Up sizing tires for 86 PT36 it might have some related information in there for you to read.

For what it is worth I have been running Steel wheel inner with Aluminum Wheel outer combinations on my last two coaches without any problems, although the first coach I used 11R-22.5 and on my 'Bird I now run 12R-225. I am not a fan of the braided extensions ans have always used the solid type, they come in different lengths for almost any application.

On the weight issue, you want to weigh each tire position separately to get a more accurate idea of what weights that you have, for instance on my FC, I found that the right rear duals weighed 6,000 pounds more than the left rear side, due to the location of my Perkins generator on the right side directly in front of the rear axle. I found my front axle on my FC to be too close for my comfort for the 11R's, so that is why I use 12R's. Check out Wanderlodge Owners Group > Links, Files, Old Yahoo Forum Database and Downloads > Links > Tires and Wheels and Weighing Your 'Bird there is a of information in there for you to read and read HOW TO WEIGH YOUR BIRD.pdf it will show you how to weigh your 'Bird properly, to get things right.

I know that Mike Hohnstein is a big fan of the use of the 11R-24.5 wheel and tire combination.

I can't help you with the stud issue, as I have the Bus repair shop take care of that department for me.

I hope that this helps, keep us informed on your results.

[Randy Dupree]

if you run a steel/aluim combo on the rear wheels you should use the plastic shim between the two to stop corrosion.
most birds have aluim on aluim on the rear.