What are the pros/cons of the factory OEM steel wheels vs aftermarket alloy wheels aside from cost issues. Also, no doubt alloys offer improvement in the aesthetics. Mainly interested in difference from a performance standpoint.
OEM Steel Wheels vs Alloy
1 reading
TGK
21 - 40 of 44 Posts
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.....
Joined
·
489 Posts
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.
Joined
·
148 Posts
Yep, got them on my '23 350HD AWD Moho. But trying to get a replacement set seems impossible now either from Ford or aftermarket, will be looking for steelies I guess
Joined
·
3,549 Posts
Are they OEM Ford Alloys, or the ones provided by the motorhome company? Several motorhome conversions use aftermarket alloys from Alcoa, Method, Hunter, etc. Have any pictures?
Joined
·
148 Posts
It's a Moho, so can't say for sure. Dug up the Window sticker for the cutaway, it was delivered with the Ford Alloys, but maybe swapped? unlikely but do not know. Best I can tell these may have come from Fords OmniCraft subdivision, but that is a guess based on their marketing graphics
Joined
·
3,549 Posts
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.
Joined
·
148 Posts
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.
Attachments
Joined
·
1,407 Posts
Joined
·
3,549 Posts
Nice setup. If you don't have any luck figuring out what these are, you could jack up the back end on one side and pull the wheels and see how they differ. The outside wheel is an alloy, but the inside wheel is a steel wheel. My educated guess would be that the diameter and width of the alloy is the same as the steel, but that the offset is greater. I'd call the manufacturer or another dealer. Somebody has to know what these are, and I'd bet they are special ordered from Ultra.
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.
Joined
·
148 Posts
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.
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.
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.
Joined
·
2,498 Posts
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.
Joined
·
148 Posts
FYI, these are OE Wheel Works Wheels. SRW are flow forged, not sure about drw wheels.
RV & Overland Vans Program — OE Wheel Works
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.
That Is IT !!! Thanks for identifying. Had looked the Net over , & Ford & Forest River were of no help. Many Thanks.
Joined
·
14 Posts
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?
Joined
·
2,498 Posts
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.
Joined
·
150 Posts
Google AI delivered this results. Difference between an alloy wheel and stock steel, around 3 to 4 lbs. Difference in tire weight from a 235/75x16 (E rated) to a 245/75/16 (E rated) is around 5.5 lbs (+/-). I like the look of the Method 703 wheels but the weight savings is negelable and IMOP does not justify the costs. I like the look of the steel wheels but the center cap is ugly as **** and running them without the caps is no better visually IMOP.
For 2022–2025 Ford Transit AWD models, the weight of a single 16-inch or 17-inch aftermarket alloy wheel typically ranges from approximately 24 to 32 pounds. The exact weight depends on the specific wheel model, diameter, and width. Factory OEM alloy wheels often have comparable weights to lighter aftermarket options.
Common aftermarket alloy wheel weights
Weights for specific alloy wheels designed for the Ford Transit AWD include:
For 2022–2025 Ford Transit AWD models, the weight of a single 16-inch or 17-inch aftermarket alloy wheel typically ranges from approximately 24 to 32 pounds. The exact weight depends on the specific wheel model, diameter, and width. Factory OEM alloy wheels often have comparable weights to lighter aftermarket options.
Common aftermarket alloy wheel weights
Weights for specific alloy wheels designed for the Ford Transit AWD include:
- Method MR701 (16 x 6.5 inches): 24.1 pounds
- Method MR703 (16 x 6.5 inches): 25.85 pounds
- Black Rhino Arsenal AT (16 x 6 inches): 25.74 pounds
- Ultra Hunter Van (16 x 6.5 inches): 24.1–24.2 pounds
- Flarespace/Storyteller (16 x 7 inches): 32 pounds
- Owl Talon (17 x 7 inches): 32 pounds
- OEM AWD Alloy (17 inches): Some reports cite the stock 17-inch alloy wheels weighing around 23 pounds.
- OEM AWD Steel (16 inches): Factory steel wheels are heavier than alloy versions, with some weighing 27.2 pounds.
- Diameter and width: A larger diameter or wider wheel generally weighs more. For example, a 17-inch Owl Talon wheel is heavier than most 16-inch options.
- Manufacturing technology: Flow-forged wheels, like those from Flarespace, are made to be both strong and lightweight for better on- and off-road performance.
- Load rating: Wheels built for higher load capacities, like the 4,200-pound-rated Owl Talon, are engineered with more material and can be heavier.
- Offset: The wheel's offset, or how far it sticks out from the hub, can also affect its weight.
Joined
·
2,498 Posts
As usual, some good info mixed with AI garbage and incorrect information. Wheel offset does not really affect wheel weight. OEM alloy wheels are 16” and not 17”. Some are cast aluminum and some are forged.
stock steel wheels are around 32-33lbs. 7-9lbs weight savings per wheel for alloy is NOT negligible, it makes a noticeable difference.
the Flarespace/Torque traveler wheels are about 21 lbs, not 32. So that’s a 12lb difference. (The early Flarespace and storyteller wheels may have had some manufacturing issues with pinhole leaks, but the torque wheels are made in 2024+ and should have the issues fixed). 12 lbs weight savings per wheel is huge
so the torque wheels are the way to go IMO for lightweight alloy wheels
stock steel wheels are around 32-33lbs. 7-9lbs weight savings per wheel for alloy is NOT negligible, it makes a noticeable difference.
the Flarespace/Torque traveler wheels are about 21 lbs, not 32. So that’s a 12lb difference. (The early Flarespace and storyteller wheels may have had some manufacturing issues with pinhole leaks, but the torque wheels are made in 2024+ and should have the issues fixed). 12 lbs weight savings per wheel is huge
so the torque wheels are the way to go IMO for lightweight alloy wheels
Joined
·
150 Posts
Nothing is perfect do your own research. Everything online I have found says a stock 16" steel wheel weights in around 27 lbs or less. Have you personally weighted one? If not then where did you come up with a weight of 33 lbs? I did not research the weight the Flarespace/Torque wheel because IMOP it's ugly as ****. Did you personally weigh one? If not then where are you getting this weight from? As I posted this is what AI came up with take it with a grain of salt and do your own research.
21 - 40 of 44 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
