Replacing wheels

ejlawrence

Due to an explosive puncture last year I need to replace one of the alloys on my Twin axle 2002 Coachman Amara 580/4. Unfortunately it is beyond repair and I can't seem to find a replacement one that matches. So I'm facing the task of replacing all 4 wheels. 4 new alloys is not really in my budget so what I would like to know is:

a) Is it safe to replace alloy wheels with steel wheels?

b) what measurements and other information will I need to make sure I get the right wheels. 

c) can anyone recommend somewhere that I am likely to be able to buy the wheels from? 

I have tried contacting Coachman but given the age of the van they are not really interested in helping me out. 

Thanks in advance

EmilysDad

Replacing alloys with steel shouldn't be a problem. You need to make sure the bolt/stud holes are the same ie the PCD ... pitch circle diameter. Also the offset should be similar, this is shown as ET & a number

Aren't there any local caravan breakers that might be able to help? Maybe buy four second hand alloys and sell the other 3 ... 🤔

Metheven

Remember, if you do replace the alloys with steel then your wheel torque settings will be different.

EmilysDad

That seems to be the least of his worries .... 🤔

& some steel rims use shorter bolts 😏

Phishing

A. Yes steels can directly replace alloys but the nut type may differ.

B. You need the diameter, this is shown on the tyre, probably 13" or 14" for that van. You need the width, this is probalably stamped somewhere on the rim, something like 4.5J, 5J, 6J, that is the width of the rim bead in inches. You need the offset, this is stamped on the wheel, something like ET30. This is the distance of the center of the tyre from the mounting face. You then need the PCD of the studs and the center hole diameter.

You only need to replace two (assuming you use the same wheel and tyre combination as the existing), nobody can see both sides of the van at once!

Have a look at:

 https://www.trailertek.com/trailer-parts/13-inch-rim-4-5j-4-studs-on-100mm?gclid=CjwKCAjwxqX4BRBhEiwAYtJX7cCewLCHzqm6TI6I9Yk7az7Bs_Iei9k9NK7JK-EFK44SVDFwdazR8hoC_doQAvD_BwE

click on more information, this gives the information that you need for your wheel.

 

ejlawrence

Thanks for the really helpful replies everyone. After a good look at the damaged alloy, and crawling around on the floor to get a good look at the spare I've managed to find the following information:

Tyre 175/65/R14 82H Which gives me the diameter of 14"

4 stud

ET30 - Which gives me the offset

5.5J 12 H2 - Which gives me the width of the rim bead, is the 12 H2 relevant? 

So the only other bit of info I need is the PCD and the centre hole diameter which I can get from measuring the damaged alloy. Is that right? 

So is it ok to just replace 2 and either have two different types of alloys, or a mixture of alloys and steels on different sides? I quite like the alloys and don't really want to get rid of them but wasn't sure if I could put different wheels on different sides? 

Hopefully this will be the last of the stupid questions but I'm not making any promises!

no one

steel wheels being heavier than alloys may create a dynamic imbalance if you have alloys on one side and steels on the other.

you could have one alloy and one steel each side, remember as above the wheel (lug) nuts have different taper for steels so you will need the correct nuts as well!

derekcyril

Google alloy wheel repairs and do a search for youre rim , i bet you find one 

Cornersteady

I thought, perhaps wrongly, that alloys were used rather than steel as they are lighter? Is there a significant difference?

EmilysDad

It varies .... on a caravan they are mainly cosmetic, but on a car, an alloy wheel dissipates the heat built up in the hub better than steel does.

Cornersteady

Thanks ED