Alloy wheels are lighter so of course they are more performance. Taking the van to the track?

 

I don't know that I believe that to be wholly true......

I got some curb rash on one OEM Alloy wheel that came on my van from Ford.
Took it to a trusted wheel repair place that I have dealt with for a while.
When I handed the wheel over to the shop owner I could see his brain was melting as he exclaimed, "WTF is this wheel off of?!?!??"
I pointed to my Blue X2C in the parking lot and he began nodding his head and replied...."OK, that kinda makes sense, but this is the heaviest alloy wheel I've picked up in a while". And then he wanted to go check out the sweet van....!

I know for sure the OEM Alloy (bare) is more than 23lbs per wheel and IIRC its actually closer to 30lbs per rim.
They're shockingly heavy. Commercial vehicle after all.....

 

Speeds not the goal. Mainly curious about what advantage the do or don't have for a converted cargo van other than looks.

 

Speeds not the goal. Mainly curious about what advantage the do or don't have for a converted cargo van other than looks.

I just told you they are lighter so what benefits would you think you'll get from lighter wheels?

 

I know they are lighter. You tell me the benefits.

 

The benefit in having the steel wheels is the replacement cost when you damage the wheel. You can get one of the Silver painted steel wheel for close to $100 while the Aluminum Alloy wheel would be about $300. You would have a matching spare for a 5 tire rotation while the Alloy wheel will not mount under the van with the current mounting setup.

 

not sure which alloy wheel was used, but according to this post by @GapRunr, each wheel was over 17lbs lighter

...https://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/threads/weight-of-oem-alloys-vs-steel-wheels.83558/post-1086511

gotta help with fuel economy and wear and tear on suspension components. possibly even help with handling/steering response

 

I know they are lighter. You tell me the benefits.

Google

 

"Unsprung Weight VS Sprung Weight – Why Heavy Wheels are Bad News"

"Unsprung mass is where things change. Anything that’s not leaning on your suspension system is considered unsprung weight. Your wheels, tires, wheel hubs, and everything else that’s not on top of the suspension are considered unsprung.
"The issue with unsprung weight is simple — it offers no performance improvement whatsoever. On the contrary, it reduces performance. More unsprung mass means that your suspension components have to work harder to keep the wheel on the ground.
"Wheel mass, which is what generally dictates the majority of unsprung mass, can be a great tool to visualize the importance of lightweight unsprung components.
"When a heavy wheel runs over a bump in the road, its entire mass is sent flying up towards the top of the wheel well. The inertia it carries as it travels is countered by the car’s suspension, forcing the wheel back onto the road surface. The heavier the wheel, the higher it will jump off the road when faced with road imperfections.
"On the other hand, a light wheel has less mass. Running over a bump with a light wheel means that your suspension has to counter much lower inertia forces, allowing it to force the wheel back to the road with less effort. More lightweight wheels are much quicker to reestablish grip."

ymmv, M

 

Here's one of them fancy artificial irritation responses:

There is no definitive answer to whether aluminum wheels are better than steel wheels, as it depends on your preferences and needs. However, here are some general pros and cons of each material that might help you decide:

• Aluminum wheels, also known as alloy wheels, are lighter and more attractive than steel wheels. They can improve your vehicle’s performance by reducing unsprung weight, increasing fuel efficiency, and enhancing acceleration, braking, steering, and handling. They also dissipate heat better than steel wheels, which can prevent brake fade and improve tire life. Aluminum wheels come in a wide variety of designs, sizes, and finishes to suit your taste. However, aluminum wheels are also more expensive, more prone to corrosion, and harder to repair than steel wheels. They can also crack or bend under extreme conditions or impacts.1234
• Steel wheels are heavier and more durable than aluminum wheels. They can withstand harsh environments and rough terrains without cracking or bending. They are also more resistant to damage from deicers, gravel, brake dust, and other elements. Steel wheels are easier to repair and refinish than aluminum wheels, and they are generally less expensive. However, steel wheels are also less appealing and less varied than aluminum wheels. They can reduce your vehicle’s performance by increasing unsprung weight, lowering fuel efficiency, and affecting acceleration, braking, steering, and handling. Steel wheels can also retain more heat than aluminum wheels, which can affect brake performance and tire life.2534

In summary, aluminum wheels are better for aesthetics and performance, while steel wheels are better for strength and durability. You should consider your driving style, budget, and preferences when choosing between the two materials. I hope this helps you make an informed decision. 😊

Also a pile of maybe-relevant that suggests aluminum is more sturdy than steel in this article.

I'd be shocked if you had any noticeable difference of any kind unless you're getting pretty aggressive with it.

 

Depending on the aluminum wheels used you may not lose any weight to gain performance benefits of better braking, acceleration, quicker steering, better suspension action, etc.

Some are just as heavy as the steels or more so.

 

Just buy a dually Transit and, problem solved, you won't need to think about it coz you can't get Aluminum wheels...(though Maybe can order them from Ford as an option)

 

Forged alloy wheels are an available option on the dually. I had them on my T350HD.

 

I think that the main advantage of Alloy wheels is that they look better.

 

For me (2020 Connect) the wider 19'' wheels on the van offer a better performance handling stance aspect as the van is lower to the ground and can turn on a dime. Only drawback to these wheels is that they are heavy. drawbacks to steel wheels is that they will start to rust and once this happens the wheels structural integrity maybe compromised. Plus make sure that any wheel you mount on your van has bene load indexed to withstand any added weight.

 

In the off-roading world "unsprung weight" probably comes up most as a factor in wheel decisions. But unless your already at the top of your off-roading game, you will not likely notice the difference in performance or wear and tear.

The overwhelming factor for me was looks. Another factor that would've affected my decision was how they help in low tire pressure situations. If you find yourself in situations where you air down your tires, two features of some aftermarket wheels are worth considering.

"Bead retention ridges" can help keep the tire on the wheel in challenging off road situations while aired down.

"Duel valve stems" can make airing down and back up much quicker.

Those features are talked about here;

Owl Ford Transit Talon AWD Wheels - Owl Outdoors

We pioneered the first wheel designed specifically for Ford Transits and adventure vans, the Talon, which is still the most trusted wheel in the industry.

owlvans.com

I almost brought the Owl Vans Talon wheels, which have both of these features. However I ended up finding a steal of a deal on OEM alloys.

 

Wheels have a load rating.
CAST wheels can be problematic with our vans rated capacity.

 

Advantage Steel: lower cost, arguably more durable

Advantage Alloy: curb appeal? Maybe less weight but we're talking about 9,000lb vehicle not an F1 car

The downside to Alloy: More difficult to maintain, the look on your face when the tire shop beats the sh**t out of it mounting a new tire, salt damage, etc

 

"Unsprung Weight VS Sprung Weight – Why Heavy Wheels are Bad News"

"Unsprung mass is where things change. Anything that’s not leaning on your suspension system is considered unsprung weight. Your wheels, tires, wheel hubs, and everything else that’s not on top of the suspension are considered unsprung.
"The issue with unsprung weight is simple — it offers no performance improvement whatsoever. On the contrary, it reduces performance. More unsprung mass means that your suspension components have to work harder to keep the wheel on the ground.
"Wheel mass, which is what generally dictates the majority of unsprung mass, can be a great tool to visualize the importance of lightweight unsprung components.
"When a heavy wheel runs over a bump in the road, its entire mass is sent flying up towards the top of the wheel well. The inertia it carries as it travels is countered by the car’s suspension, forcing the wheel back onto the road surface. The heavier the wheel, the higher it will jump off the road when faced with road imperfections.
"On the other hand, a light wheel has less mass. Running over a bump with a light wheel means that your suspension has to counter much lower inertia forces, allowing it to force the wheel back to the road with less effort. More lightweight wheels are much quicker to reestablish grip."

ymmv, M

Don't have a clue why you're quoting me.

 

The downside to Alloy: More difficult to maintain, the look on your face when the tire shop beats the sh**t out of it mounting a new tire, salt damage, etc

tell me about it, wife got carried away and took a curve too sharp, the rear wheel scrubbed the curb. Now I have to get the rim edge repaired.

 

wow. That's a wide tire size for a dually. Those wheels look exactly like an Ultra 002, but they don't list any 6 bolt wheels in their selection. Did you ask the motorhome dealer what brand they are? What brand of motorhome is it? The lip looks like a steel wheel, but the unfinished area and thickness of the cutout look like an aluminum wheel. I'd be curious to know what they are.

 

It's a big mystery. I've tried to unravel for a while...2023 Coachman(Forest River) Crosstrail-Extreme ( 2" lift) on a Transit 350HD-AWD DRW cutaway. I've had inquiry's to Coachman open since before purchase, Yet no information. ( They remove the spare with the build).. Have spent a bit of time on Ford site with no luck digging any information up for a direct match. These Most def are Beefy Wheels, and trying to at minimum confirm they are dimensioned the same as stock steelies.

 

Alloy wheels pit and get rubber stuck at the bead with age, and leak if you don't wire wheel them, and use bead sealer. Never had a problem with a steely leaking at the bead.

 

Thanks for all the input. At this point, I'll likely stick with the OEM steel wheels, maybe have them powder coated, rather than go to alloys.

 

I choose the Matte Black alloy wheels because I simply think they look great. If I went with steel I would have to get a replacement that looks better or get them powder coated like you said and I didn't want to constantly think about that with as many other things I have planned for the vehicle. My other big benefit I see is not worrying about rust. On my current vehicle rims are rusted and look terrible when I purchased it, and it was big project to remove rust and paint black, and it still looks bad. Didn't want to think about that in future. They are also lighter weight but that doesn't really matter to me. Might be nice if I have to change tier but its not a major selling point.

 

Funny this thread Just popped up again as I was literally talking to my tire guy about mounting studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT3's on Method Alloy's so I'll have a spare this summer. Presuming they mount correctly I'll be stoked for these Methods for the Fronts and outside Rears. For anyone still looking and finds this post,, I found reasonably priced steelies for the rear insides from
PHILIP SHARPE
WHEELS EXPRESS INC.
4702 S HWY 81
RUSH SPRINGS, OK 73082
(580)476-2531 = OFFICE
(580)476-3072= FAX
www.wheelsexpressonline.com = Online Store
Apparently they are hooked up with Europe / Turkey resourced wheels.

 

I thought hard about it. The primary benefit to alloy wheels on a road vehicle is that the reduction in unsprung weight makes it ride better - the suspension is more able to follow variations in the road surface. I looked at prices of aftermarket alloy wheels versus the Ford OEMs and just couldn't justify the cost on the new build. If I decide to switch wheels it's going to be to put more aggressive tread on the ground and for more ground clearance. Factory size alloys would get pitched anyway in that scenario, so why buy them instead of the steelies?

Right now, we're not anticipating that intense a level of boondocking, so AWD with stock diameter all-seasons should be adequate until I find myself high-centering the thing all the time.

Weight rating for aftermarket wheels for a loaded Transit is a big deal. Shop carefully. Just because somebody's willing to drill six lug holes in it doesn't mean it will bear the weight of your 9k+ GVW van for tens of thousands of miles without a fatigue failure.

 

FYI, these are OE Wheel Works Wheels. SRW are flow forged, not sure about drw wheels.

RV & Overland Vans Program — OE Wheel Works

www.oewheelworks.com

They make Flarespace/storyteller overland’s flow forged SRW wheels (16x7”). They are the lightest wheels in the market for the AWD transit, 21.2 lbs per wheel on my scale. Still have 3300 lb load rating.

Stock steelies are 33 lbs a wheel, owl talon cast aluminum wheels are 34-35lbs per wheel, method and black rhino cast aluminum wheels are 26-27lbs per wheel roughly.

FYI, these are OE Wheel Works Wheels. SRW are flow forged, not sure about drw wheels.

That Is IT !!! Thanks for identifying. Had looked the Net over , & Ford & Forest River were of no help. Many Thanks.

 

Help! As someone already said the aftermarket alloy wheels have weight limits the rim itself can handle. I can't find in these forums anywhere what the weight ratings are for the factory T350 single axle. Anyone know? What is the safe amount? Is 2600 per rim not enough to handle a fully loaded T350?

 

No, 2600 lbs is not enough. You need 3300lbs or greater wheel load rating. The stock tires are rated to 3200 lbs, and the rear axle is 6000 lbs.