other than looks - any advantage to Aluminum rims?

[Losangeles]

Hi all

Thanks to all the helpful people here, I have learned tons over the last 9 months.

about the only thing i don't know about all the build sheet options is....

other than looks - any advantage to Aluminum rims?

I keep the wheels covered when stored (keep the sun off the tires)

probably only camp at the ocean (salt water) beach occasionally...

I only ask as it isn't a cheap upgrade, for 5.....

thanks

[Ron in BC]

Oh boy, another one of those questions

I'm sure the result will be pretty evenly divided. Personally, I've always had steel wheels and stayed with them on the 19. I typically camp as close to salt water as possible and mine are still fine but I'm sure there'll be some that point out alloys don't rust.

Both do the job, there's no wrong answer but I'm sure you'll find out that there's lots of opinions on steel vrs. alloy.

Ron

[gbaglo]

I considered the aluminum to replace my white steel wheels, until it was pointed out to me that aluminum also requires maintenance. If they stayed shiny and new without me doing anything, I would reconsider.

[SFDavis50]

Maybe i'll paint the white wheels to match whatever trim color I choose, or get baby moon hubcaps.

[pkgman51]

Really? Are there baby moons that will fit the Escape steel wheels?
I kept to the steel wheels because I haven't met an aluminum wheel that didn't leak just a little bit.
Gary

[rbryan4]

Why do people put aluminum wheels on other vehicles- like a car? Because of the appearance. Your choice. They're less susceptible to rust also.

[padlin]

Other then looks, the reason I went with aluminum... I had white steel wheels on my last trailer, they started to rust in 2 years and looked like crap.

The steel wheels that Escape uses are better quality then what came on my Starcraft. I don't know if rusting is an issue for Escapes.

[Losangeles]

Originally Posted by pkgman51

Really? Are there baby moons that will fit the Escape steel wheels?
I kept to the steel wheels because I haven't met an aluminum wheel that didn't leak just a little bit.
Gary

this, for me, would be (is) reason enough to stick with the stock wheels.

oh and besides.... i'll spend the money on other options.

thanks Gary

[SFDavis50]

Originally Posted by pkgman51

Really? Are there baby moons that will fit the Escape steel wheels?
I kept to the steel wheels because I haven't met an aluminum wheel that didn't leak just a little bit.
Gary

$11.99 each at etrailer.com. I am assuming that there is a snap ring on the steel wheel. (Most trailer wheels have one)
I am a year away from getting my 5.0 TA so it is on my "look into it when the time comes" list.
Back in my misspent youth I was stationed at Zweibrucken AB in Germany. My 3 person NDI (nondestructive inspection) shop got delivery of a brand new 275KV X-Ray machine which was mounted in a bright yellow trailer with baby moon hubcaps wrapped in brown paper for safe transport. Two weeks later, the Aerospace Ground Equipment people came and took our trailer to paint a flat olive drab color. They even took off the hubcaps, painted the wheel inside that area and then painted the baby moons. I'm still traumatized over that.

[pkgman51]

Those baby moons would be a bad reflection on a military vehicle. :-)

[Donna D.]

Yeah well, tires, axles and wheels... some of those topics I don't reply.

The shiny wheels from ETI are aluminum alloy. With a coating (standard). ETI balances the wheels (good). When you go to replace the tires and have the wheels balanced (good), and the lead is removed... you'll end up with a "bronze" spot you can't polish out.

AND, there are NO numbs on the white steel wheels available where you can add beauty rings or baby moons.

I can talk wheels all day long.

I had Stockton Wheel build me wheels for my Scamp. Wanted to match the tug. Chevy Rally wheels with a Ford bolt pattern. You don't want to know what those two wheels cost.... it's all about the visuals!

[SFDavis50]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Y

AND, there are NO numbs on the white steel wheels available where you can add beauty rings or baby moons.

I can talk wheels all day long.

Well, Bummer!!! Guess I'll have to include nubs on the request list.

Oh well, my 2001 Volvo S 80 with 196,000 miles on it has aluminum wheels and they have remained filthy since at least 72.000 miles. Seems like they were getting dirty within less than a tank of gas. I just gave up cleaning them.

[Donna D.]

I think it's important that everyone knows Aluminum Alloy wheels need attention. The first is Aluminum and aluminum pits. Leave an aluminum alloy wheel out for a winter and the bottom of the rim... pits. Ya just need to wax the wheels just like the stock white ones... then you are good to go. Now... powder coated wheels... that's a different animal

[cpaharley2008]

Alloy wheels is another custom option, just like your decal color and interior selection, if your tow vehicle has alloy wheels, matching with the trailer is nice.

[Loren & Cathy]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Alloy wheels is another custom option, just like your decal color and interior selection, if your tow vehicle has alloy wheels, matching with the trailer is nice.

Got to agree on this one. Our GMC has alloy wheels and the aluminum wheels really match nice. The paint on the truck also matches the trailer gel coat and makes for a sharp looking unit. It's all about choice. Loren

[Donna D.]

My 2014 Ford F-150 (purchased 3 months before picking up Ten Forward) is Glacier White with chrome spoke wheels. Ten Forward is Colonial White (a tiny bit more beige). No way would the "whites" or wheels match. I'm not unhappy with either. But in my case, forgetabout matching like a puzzle. As long as you are as happy with your decision as I am, you are good to go!

[pkgman51]

Looks like no moons for me.
I don't like doing a lot of wheel maintenance either. My chrome'd wheels on the Tahoe are showing some pitting.
Maybe the company that molds the plastic lug nut covers could mold them in some colors other than white and charge some big bucks for them? I'd like red ones to match the pin-striping. Just a thought....
Gary

[gbaglo]

Donna,
You could always spray that truck with Fusion Dover White.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by pkgman51

Maybe the company that molds the plastic lug nut covers could mold them in some colors other than white and charge some big bucks for them? I'd like red ones to match the pin-striping. Just a thought....
Gary

That shouldn't be difficult. Kyrlon Fusion paint, that many use to paint their propane cover to match the trailer gelcoat, is available in several colors. It adheres to plastic really well.

Ron

[tdf-texas]

Originally Posted by pkgman51

Maybe the company that molds the plastic lug nut covers could mold them in some colors other than white and charge some big bucks for them? I'd like red ones to match the pin-striping. Just a thought....
Gary

How about chrome or black?