Planning for tires and maybe wheels - advice

Stu Rasmussen

Stu Rasmussen

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Jan 29, 2019
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Greetings -

It is waaay premature to act on this issue but I am doing advance
research for budgeting so I don't buy something twice.

My 74 Eleganza came to me with well-aged tires and factory steel wheels.

Options are replace the tires onto the existing 16.5" steel wheels or
get new wheels and appropriate tires.

There is a dizzying array of information about this on the web. I am
already dizzy enough, thank you very much.

The 'recommended' upgrade/replacement wheel is the Alcoa 16" "Classic",
Part No. 160231 - but apparently it is no longer manufactured.

A placard in the coach glove box says to not install radial tires - but
that was in 1974, maybe things have changed.

And load range D tires were specified, but some people say to go to load
range E because of the unusual side loading aspects of the GMC.

And on and on - - -

Any insights?

Thanks

Stu
 
Stu-

Basically, the 74 would normally have came with non-radial rims and tires. Many install radial tires onto non-radial rims, but it sure is not
recommended. There would be a "R" stamped on the rim indicating that rim is rated for a radial tire.

no one recommends installing biased ply tires. No one i know anyhow.

so.... don't let that discourage you, because so many have changed rims, there are vast quantities of good used "radial" rated rims out there on the
75-78 newer coaches. So if you want to stick with stock rims/tires (16.5" just ask and someone can come up with Radial rims if you choose to go that
route).

The only tire that is available to install on the original 16.5" rim is a firestone transforce 8.75 r 16.5 tire. so if you want to stay stock, that
is usually the cheapest way to go. but the downside is that tire is more expensive usually, and in many cases need to be ordered into the tire
shop....

So the usual "upgrade" thing to do is to change to 16" aluminum rims and get 16" 225 75 r 16 tires(E rated). It used to be super expensive to do
so, but gave you cheaper tires to buy, and just the fact they look better, add significant value to the coach, and if you ever lift a steel rim, as
compared to an aluminum rim, you will see the huge weight savings.

Like I said, that tends to be a pretty big investment, but lately Ion makes a 16" rim that works well for our coach, and is hard to argue about the
price on that, when you pair that with the cheaper 16" tire. with the value it adds. When switching rims, also make sure you understand the lug nuts
needed as well.

there are a few options for aluminum rims besides the ion. so you will also hear the argument of the hub centered vs lug centered rim as well. You
have to make your own decision on that, depending on what you are looking for.

FYI- Billy or ?? I am pretty sure Stu, is not Jerry W. still having issues with forum and how it is identifying people.



--
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
 
Hi Stu, A lot did change from 74 to today with respect to wheels and t=
ires. Nearly all of us are running radial ply tires these days. radial=
ply tires stay round at speed while the old bias ply tires tended to go eg=
g shaped which moved the tire contact patch area rearward creating more cas=
ter at speed than at rest. Not so with radial ply tires so we need to dial=
in as much caster as we can get so long as both sides are equal in order t=
o have sufficient caster to make the coach track straight and not rut wande=
r. You can download and read a presentation I made to a couple of the club=
s on this subject either from my web site, GMCWS or GMCMI web sites that wi=
ll give you all the whys and wherefors. We also learned some time ago that=
the best handling radial ply tires are those with fabric sidewalls and ste=
el belts. The steel sidewall tires are too stiff and will cause most GMCs =
to be a handful to control. Finally, load rage D and load rage E tires can=
carry the same loads with the same inflation pressure. The load range E c=
an be inflated more than the load rage E if your coach weight balance is su=
ch that you need more weight carrying capacity than load range D can provic=
e.. As to wheels, Jim K at Applied has a 16=E2=80=9D alloy wheel avail=
able for our coaches and some have reported seeing 17=E2=80=9D wheels that =
will also fit. Jerry Jerry & Sharon Work Kerby, OR glwork=
m http://jerrywork.com Now a Prevost Country Coach Formerly 78=
Royale with most everything done to modernize a GMC mechanically and a =
77/94 Clasco that looked like it just left the Clasco facility. Loved them=
both.
 
Mike,
This is Alcoa. 
Interesting that this part number is showing up on their site. 
I have six recalled wheels and have not upgraded them because they stopped making this part number. So far all they are offering me is $250.00 for each recalled wheel and I return the recalled wheels but they have not been making part number 160231.
I just put another call into them to see if they have decided to make another production run????
I will let you know what they say, Buddy is the tech representative I have talked with in the past @ 800-242-9898
Timely post as this is on my GMC FIX/SOLVE list.
Thank You75 GMC, still mostly stock, but getting ready for an engine rebuild and trans and final drive...Jerry Ramsden ramjer Area
On Saturday, February 9, 2019, 10:42:53 AM EST, Mike Hamm via Gmclist wrote:

looks like alcoa successor is making the wheels.
I have not looked for anyone that may sell them though.

https://www.arconic.com/global/en/products/info_page.asp?prod_id=1160&info_page_id=523
--
1977 Kingsley 455 as stock as it gets except lots of Ragusa parts

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The 160231 wheel is no longer manufactured.

About three weeks ago Arconic replaced five recalled Alcoa 160231 wheels I had with part number 160237. I also have a 160201 and 16231 that were not
recalled. I asked them about the 160201 (date code 03/90) since I hadn't seen this number before. It's a front dually wheel that Alcoa used to
manufacture for GM/Chevy. As to the different part number on the replacements, in an email to me dated Jan 23, 2019, Arconic stated "The 160237 you
received are the same wheel as the 160231's you have, just a different polish option, called our LvL One finish. We made this option Only for our
recall wheels, as you know, we no longer manufacture the 160231 or 160232 wheel. This was done to save costs and have a supply for any future
recall(s) we may have for this wheel part number(s)."

I had no trouble with the exchange. It cost me nothing. Arconic shipped the replacements to me and I used the boxes they came in to return the
recalled wheels.
--
"Whoosh"; '75 Glenbrook/Clasco
TZE165V100934
Steve H
San Antonio, TX
 
Rick
I agree. I have always worked with greater enthusiasm when I'm able to work frame up. However these days I'm not feeling ilike taking on that as much.
I still do it when I feel the available local labor is going to do less than me and then charge me. Nothing more frustrating then call8ng someone
back several times just to ultimately have to fix it myself. Seems to be a situation in every trade more often these days....or maybe it's just me.
In any case I'm fixing my MS house for sale while finishing my Barndaminium in Bama for habitation and getting out last rental house ready for my
youngest daughter that puts my 72' truck, 54' Tractor, 49' refrigerator, and 47 stove, and 35' Bama farm house are all on hold in the que...see what I
mean.

I've replaced an RV heater at wave land RV park, built a 50-30 amp adapter outside of Auburn Al from hardware at the smallest Walmart I've ever
seen..in winter with a RV full of freezing girls, and many other types of RV repairs but one thing I've never had was a RV tire blowout or needed a
tow. Now that I've said that out loud...

So I get exactly what your saying. Now that my girls are grown up and out of the house the anxiety of those situations are considerably less. Also
retirement has helped with more time and no where I have to be. Still less time fixing on the road is obviously the goal.

Also I understand your direction as outside of glueing, screwing or buffing I can't do exterior body work.
 
Steve,
Thanks for the successful exchange information, when I them called a few months ago they did not have a replacement, they must have made a new batch just for the lingering recall wheels that keep popping up. 
Like mine and yours. 
I put a call into them and will see if I can get the same deal. 
Thank You very much for the information "very timely".
 I worry about recalled aluminum wheels, even though every one says they do not break off, just crack and leak out the air...do not want tire/wheel issues on a trip.
Jerry Ramsden
1975 GMC Mostly stock, but ready for a fresh motor/trans and final unit...
ramjer
On Saturday, February 9, 2019, 1:43:29 PM EST, Steven Hendricks via Gmclist wrote:

The 160231 wheel is no longer manufactured.

About three weeks ago Arconic replaced five recalled Alcoa 160231 wheels I had with part number 160237.  I also have a 160201 and 16231 that were not
recalled. I asked them about the 160201 (date code 03/90) since I hadn't seen this number before. It's a front dually wheel that Alcoa used to
manufacture for GM/Chevy. As to the different part number on the replacements, in an email to me dated Jan 23, 2019, Arconic stated "The 160237 you
received are the same wheel as the 160231's you have, just a different polish option, called our LvL One finish. We made this option Only for our
recall wheels, as you know, we no longer manufacture the 160231 or 160232 wheel. This was done to save costs and have a supply for any future
recall(s) we may have for this wheel part number(s)."

I had no trouble with the exchange.  It cost me nothing. Arconic shipped the replacements to me and I used the boxes they came in to return the
recalled wheels. 
--
"Whoosh"; '75 Glenbrook/Clasco
TZE165V100934
Steve H
San Antonio, TX

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So what part # did they supply you?

On Sat, Feb 9, 2019 at 4:11 PM jerry ramsden via Gmclist <

> Steve,
> Thanks for the successful exchange information, when I them called a few
> months ago they did not have a replacement, they must have made a new batch
> just for the lingering recall wheels that keep popping up.
> Like mine and yours.
> I put a call into them and will see if I can get the same deal.
> Thank You very much for the information "very timely".
> I worry about recalled aluminum wheels, even though every one says they
> do not break off, just crack and leak out the air...do not want tire/wheel
> issues on a trip.
> Jerry Ramsden
> 1975 GMC Mostly stock, but ready for a fresh motor/trans and final unit...
> ramjer
> On Saturday, February 9, 2019, 1:43:29 PM EST, Steven Hendricks via

>
> The 160231 wheel is no longer manufactured.
>
> About three weeks ago Arconic replaced five recalled Alcoa 160231 wheels I
> had with part number 160237. I also have a 160201 and 16231 that were not
> recalled. I asked them about the 160201 (date code 03/90) since I hadn't
> seen this number before. It's a front dually wheel that Alcoa used to
> manufacture for GM/Chevy. As to the different part number on the
> replacements, in an email to me dated Jan 23, 2019, Arconic stated "The
> 160237 you
> received are the same wheel as the 160231's you have, just a different
> polish option, called our LvL One finish. We made this option Only for our
> recall wheels, as you know, we no longer manufacture the 160231 or 160232
> wheel. This was done to save costs and have a supply for any future
> recall(s) we may have for this wheel part number(s)."
>
> I had no trouble with the exchange. It cost me nothing. Arconic shipped
> the replacements to me and I used the boxes they came in to return the
> recalled wheels.
> --
> "Whoosh"; '75 Glenbrook/Clasco
> TZE165V100934
> Steve H
> San Antonio, TX
>
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>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
The replacements I received are part number 160237. I don't know if the recalled 160231 wheels originally had a mirror finish, but the 160237 wheels
do not. The Lvl One finish on the replacements has a nice luster, especially compared to the 160231 wheels that were over 20 years old and in need of
repolishing. There are telltale groves concentric to the hub on the replacements that wasn't evident on the old recalled wheels.
--
"Whoosh"; '75 Glenbrook/Clasco
Steve H
San Antonio, TX
 
Steve,
Hopefully I will run across you in the future, when I do I owe you at Ice Cold beer for the information on the Alcoa recalled wheel exchange> i just got off the phone with Buddy at Alcoa 800-242-9898 ext 2. He said they finally decided to make another batch of wheels to replace any lingering recalled wheels that needed to be taken off the roads. I spoke with them more than once in September and October 2018 and it appears all my whining that $250.00 a wheel was not acceptable and that I needed replacement wheels helped influence their legal department to make a good decision to make their customers whole. 
Buddy told me their legal department decided in December to run another batch. 
These are as you said, part number 160237, they are not mirror finish as the recalled wheels were (part number 160231). But just as you stated a wheel for wheel exchange...
Only available for recall replacement, I tried to buy one that matches for my spare but they told me only a wheel for wheel exchange will be done.
Thank You very much! 
This issue has been high on my fix list with only an expensive solution "until I read your post"...you and Alcoa saved me a ton of money. 
Yeaa Alcoa for doing the right thing and making another recall batch of replacement wheels.
Jerry Ramsden1975 GMC ramjer
On Saturday, February 9, 2019, 10:23:38 PM EST, Steven Hendricks via Gmclist wrote:

The replacements I received are part number 160237.  I don't know if the recalled 160231 wheels originally had a mirror finish, but the 160237 wheels
do not.  The Lvl One finish on the replacements has a nice luster, especially compared to the 160231 wheels that were over 20 years old and in need of
repolishing.  There are telltale groves concentric to the hub on the replacements that wasn't evident on the  old recalled wheels. 
--
"Whoosh"; '75 Glenbrook/Clasco
Steve H
San Antonio, TX

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