Wheel Update
Permanent Shine Proof Against Corrosion
Earlier this year, Alcoa launched a patented process called Dura-Bright that protects the shine of polished forged aluminum wheels. It is not a coating, but an integral part of the wheel, and it resists oxidation and corrosion. The result is a polished wheel that retains its finish and, says Alcoa, needs no more maintenance than washing with soap and water.
The Dura-Bright finish is an option, but it results in a wheel that needs no painting, polishing or special chemicals. In fact, because the finish is an integral part of the aluminum surface, use of abrasives or wheel-cleaning products is expressly discouraged by Alcoa.
According to Mark Holz, marketing manager for Alcoa's commercial vehicle wheels, the Dura-Bright finish is virtually maintenance-free and will protect the wheels from the chemical attack, which is becoming a big problem as more and more states switch to highly corrosive chemicals on winter roads.
The wheels can be Dura-Bright finished on one side, or for show-conscious drivers, both sides and are available in 22.5-inch sizes for both stud and hub pilot.
Cast-Aluminum Alternative
Introduced by Hayes Lemmerz in 2000, the CentruLite is a cast-aluminum wheel styled similarly to more familiar industry standard Class 8 forged wheels. CentruLite cast wheels can be used on all 22.5 x 8.25-inch hub piloted mountings using a 10-hole, 285.75mm bolt circle, 220mm center hole, and a 6.70-inch offset, making it interchangeable for most popular truck, trailer and bus applications, says the company. The wheels are diamond machined, resulting in a claimed superior appearance, improved ride and handling, and reduced tire wear. Key to the new wheels is their affordability says Hayes Lemmerz.
Lightweight Steel
Accuride recently launched a 65-pound steel wheel as a lightweight alternative to the conventional steel truck wheel. Manufactured from high-strength, low-alloy steel, it's designed to offer the economical price of a steel wheel with weight similar to an aluminum one.
According to Accuride, standard steel wheels weigh in the region of 82 pounds. Replacing all on a truck and trailer with the lightweight alternative would save 306 pounds.
Since the wheels have a 10 hand-hole design, Accuride says they provide a low-cost alternative to an inside aluminum wheel on a dual pair.
The 22.5 x 8.25 HSLA wheel is available for standard hub-mount applications and is powder top-coated in standard white, gray or black. Custom colors are also available and the wheel has a maximum load rating of 7,400 pounds.
Custom Heavy Truck Wheels
For highly customized alternatives to the more familiar forged aluminum wheels from Alcoa and Accuride, you can turn to a little known heavy-duty wheel manufacturer in Southern California, APP. While most of this company's attention is focused on off-road performance and high-performance street machinery, it has two wheels targeted at the image-conscious heavy-truck customer.
Called the Villain and the Thunder II, these two are available in a 22.5 x 8.25 size, polished and ready to bolt straight on. As the company points out, they produce only hundreds of wheels against competitors forged wheels that are made in the thousands, so the wheels come at a price premium. However, for one fleet in particular -- Sandvick Trucking of Escondido, Calif., -- the price is worth the distinction it gives the fleet's prize-winning Peterbilt beauty, "Kaotic."
Related Stories
Smart Tires
Michelin Goes a Step Further and Delivers a Smart System
Killer Corrosion Ravages Wheels
