Popularity of Aluminum wheels (rims)

I’d hazard a guess the with tractors, probably 90% or more run aluminum.

I think most of the LTL fleets run steel rims on both tractor and trailer.

With trailers, maybe 60-70% run aluminum. Mostly the ones running steel rim trailers are large dry van fleets and intermodal chassis trailers. Virtually all reefer and flatbeds run aluminum.

 

I don't particularly enjoy steel wheels they give the rig a heavy clumsy feel.

Aluminum wheels are the best. You can haul more etc with then. Literally a no brainer. We never have say half a dual steel and the other half aluminum. The metal reactions would do a great deal of damage between the two.

 

Aluminum outers and steel inners used to be very common. Put a plastic spacer between the two and no issues.
Most aluminum wheels are mounted against a steel brake drum.....

 

Doesn't seem to be accurate for class 8 trucks. There are alot of other commercial vehicles in the class 3-7 range. One ton pickups, and straight trucks in the medium duty range are usually steel.

 

Aluminum wheels are becoming more and more popular, but I am not so sure they will ever replace steel wheels completely. Aluminum wheels are much more expensive, and they don’t do very well if a driver runs over a curb. Steel wheels are cheaper and sturdier, but they weigh more. Most new trucks and trailers today are being sold with aluminum wheels for their looks and weight benefits.

I knew a trucking company that would use steel wheels in the inner tires and aluminum on the outer tires. I was told they did that to save money.

 

yeah i agree. unless some of these guys run aluminum brake drums lol. i have never seen some adverse reactions from my aluminum rims touching my steel drums and i have 600k on my aluminum rims