Our 2004 Sundowner 8010 Signature Series 3 horse trailer has original equipment 8 lug 16" steel mod wheels and we are wanting to upgrade to some fancy wheels since the trailer has polished stainless steel side panels I want something that stands out.

alum?  chrome steel?  any ideas???

I have 4 factory alcoa alum. off of a 1997 Ford F-250 but was told they are only rated for 3415 lbs each and we are running 2 7-k axles, so that no work.

For $8 bucks weigh your fully loaded and level running trailer.  See what the trailer wheels are loaded to.  Perhaps your Alcoa wheels may be up to the job you have...

Probably the best there is so far as an aluminum trailer wheel... http://www.alcoa.com/alcoawheels/north_america/en/fsw/driver/trailer/tr_home.asp

http://www.southwestwheel.com/store/p-3006-16x7-alcoa-aluminum-trailer-wheel.aspx

http://www.alcoa.com/global/en/products/product.asp?prod_id=1188

Three different styles of aluminum wheels on this page rated as high as 3960#   http://www.trailertiresandwheels.com/site/1284278/page/910765

This is new, been out less than a year... http://www.trailertiresandwheels.com/site/1284278/product/AW1614

They got the tires also..... http://www.trailertiresandwheels.com/site/1284278/product/RG614

Don't know anything about the ones pictured below, other than they are 17.5's on a 18' sw, 4 horse slant...

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I doubt the Ford wheels will fit the stud bolt pattern. Most Dexter Axles have the GM bolt pattern.

See Retento post about Alcoa.  thats the best choice for high psi wheels.

tHE PROBLEM WITH ALUMINUM WHEELS

Aluminum wheels are great; BUT you have to make sure they are rated heavy enough for your trailer.  If you have a tire that needs repairing on the road; not every place will repair a tire mounted on a high dollar aluminum rim.  Also; if you run your trailer in road salt in the winter, it will pit aluminum wheels.  What we do at our dealership for good looking wheels; is add Stainless Steel simulators.  They cover the entire wheel; salt don't hurt them, and if they do get damaged, they are much more efficient to replace than aluminum wheels.  We are a Sundowner dealer, and we put a lot of the SS wheels on our trailers.

I put a set of these on our last trailer.... Cleaned it up pretty good and kept the strength of the steel wheels. Real easy to keep clean.

http://www.jaeeagle.com/popup_image.php?pID=367

http://www.jaeeagle.com/product_info.php?cPath=28_168_66_132&products_id=367

I also have a set like Retento's on both of our trailers. They bolt on, so they can't shift and cut the valve stems. They are secure so they can't pop off on rough roads. They are solid stainless, so they don't rust and clean up nicely. Much less expensive than a new set of rims and centers. They cover the whole wheel and will upgrade the appearance of any steel wheel.

I bought them From Richard T Smith's parts dept. They have excellent prices, fast service and nominal shipping costs. Call Roger @ 931-685-4040 and he can ID what you need & UPS it ASAP.

Gard

http://www.phoenixusa.com/product.phtml?p=51&cat_key=19

here are the rims we use, they are quite sharp.  Haven't see this type on any other trailer...

http://www.doubledtrailers.com/xml/TrailerDetail.aspx?id=183781

BH

WOW so many to pick from....

The Alcoa wheel that I have fit perfect, but not sure about the weight deal.  Manufacture said their wheel are designed to handle more weight than listed, but nothing in writing.  Older Ford, Dodge and GM have the smae bolt pattern, some have larger studs.

I like the SS wheel covers, the only ones I have found here local are a chrome plasitc cover.

Thanks for the websites to look at and ideas. 

HTB-Kelley

Bartly, what make wheel is that? That's sharp!!

Tresvolte,  I have a stupid question about the wheels that alcoa has on the website you listed.  The upper part of their listing shows max of 3750 and max psi of 110, but in the lower secton showing "attributes" they list weight rating of 3415 and 95psi.  What does this mean???

If the 3415 and 95psi is like a standard, but they are actually rated at 3750 and 110psi, the wheel I have will work just fine.  RIGHT???

You did note the footnote...

3 Capacity ratings as dual or single in highway service -- bias-ply or radial.

I've sent a request for clarification of the number differences, but I think they are going to say one set 3750 and 110psi are MAXIMUMS and the second set 3415 and 95psi are OPERATIONAL...i.e. if you want a long life out of them...

I know that a few years ago Alcoa changed ratings on their wheels. The standard wheels were rated at 3415 & 95psi. My understanding is that they made changes to the old wheels to acheive the higher rating, although, there is always the possibility that they may have raised the rating on the old wheel without any changes.

Paul may have hit the nail on the head. 3750 & 110psi may be the maximums now. I am curious to see what response he gets from them.

Sorry, I am still lost here.  I am using GOODYEAR G614's on this trailer, I know the weight rating is 3750 but don't remember the psi right off.  I'm sure ya'll do.

I guess I might just stick with the original steel wheel and buy the SS covers ya'll listed.

3042 at 80 psi

3750 at 110 psi

Rims should be stamped for the max. load/psi rating.

http://www.goodyear.com/rv/products/g614rst.html

http://www.goodyear.com/rv/pdf/rv_inflation.pdf

Now with that being said, after looking at the rv chart since my trailer has 2 7-k axles I will need to run my tires at 100psi to be at the rated weight? 

If I figured it right, 2 7-k's equal 14-k / by 4 should be 3500lbs per each tire/wheel.

My stock steel wheels are stamped on th e inside 3750# @110psi!  The alcoa Ford wheels I have are not stamped.

HTB.... The 265 lrE tire on the 16x7 wheel was rated at 3415....  Might trying to get someone behind a Ford parts counter, to look up the correct wheel for the 1997 F-250 truck, it may have the wheel weight rating listed.

My Ford and trailer axles have the same bolt patterns. BUT, they have different stud diameters and wheel offsets. You might want to check yours before making a purchase.

Gard

I put one of the wheels on last weekend just to see and they fit perfect.  I could not beat the price so I could not pass them up.  FREE, I sold a 1997 Ford F-250 4x4 to a older farmer and he told me "I dont need them there fancy wheels" so I had a set of factory steel wheels I give him and he brought me the Alcoa wheels back.

That is the reason I was wanting to know about the weight rating on them.  I think we have talked ourself into ordering the ss covers that ya'll told me about.

Thanks, HTB-Kelley

Here is the e-mail from Alcoa...

Hello Paul,

The copy description, including 3,750 at 110 psi is a "blanket statement" for all trailer wheels.  However, the load rating quoted in the copy statement is for the 16" Classic wheel.  The wheel you are interested (part#167031) is our LTS 5-spoke wheel, which was tested at 95 psi and has a load rating of 3415.  If maximum load rating is your ultimate goal, I would suggest (part#167041) our Classic-8 16"x7" wheel with 3,750 at 110 psi. 

Below are the specs for both wheels:

Each wheel offers a different appearance (5-spoke or 8-hole) and load rating (3414@95 or 3750@110) to meet your specific needs.  I hope this helps.

Thanks for the inquiry.

-    Brian Thomas

 Marketing Communications