Steel or aluminum wheels for a camper truck ?

[Rocky Veley]

My 85 K10 diesel has eagle 16" aluminum alloy wheels. I run 265/75R16 10 ply tires. They look great on the truck. My problem is my slide-in camper. It weighs 1100 lbs. The truck can handle the weight fine with the 3/4 ton springs front and rear. It is the thicker alloy wheels that bother me. The wheel nuts catch 1/2 inch of threads max. Maybe a 1/2 inch is fine. I don't know. I think steel wheels would be thinner and stronger giving me more thread depth on the wheel nuts. I don't know what came stock on 85 K10's. Can't seem to find a definitive answer. Does anyone have any experience with campers and wheel selection? Am I worried about nothing ? Any info or thoughts would be much appreciated .

 

[Snoots]

No. You're not worried about nothing, and your concern is genuine.
There are longer lugs to get more grip for aluminum rims.

Go to: https://www.gorilla-auto.com/

They have a great site to help you select the proper lugs.
IIRC it takes a minimum of 3/4" of 'grab' to be safe.

No I don't work for them and am not compensated in any way. I've used Gorilla Lug nuts since I can remember. They make a quality product.

 

[Termite_Delight]

You should be able to find longer studs at UAP/Napa in Carelton Place.

 

[Customblue]

To capture the full strength of a bolt/stud it needs to engage 100% of the diameter of bolt/stud. I.e. 9/16 stud needs to have 9/16 of thread engagement in order to hold it securely & at full strength.

 

[Frankenchevy]

This^^

and if you know the pitch, you can count the number of rotations. I think you need 12, iirc

 

[Rocky Veley]

Thanks guys, I had no idea they made longer studs for aluminum wheels. Excellent info !!

 

[Customblue]

When installed the disc conversion on my ff, i used ptc repl. Dorman studs #97120 610-189
3" x 9/16-18

 

[bigcountry78]

Echoing what was said above. To answer your other question, yes steel wheels are thinner and allow for more lug nut engagement. That’s one reason I went with steel. I had some aluminum wheels I could have used but I didn’t want to swap lug studs.

 

[Rocky Veley]

@bigcountry78
I think I will keep the aluminum alloys for regular driving and cruising complete with 4 ply tires for a better ride.. Then , I will buy some steel wheels with 10 ply tires for any big cross country camper runs. If I go with longer studs ( for the aluminum alloy ) that could prevent me from using steel wheels in the future. Not sure about that though. Thanks a ton.

 

[WillB]

My 85 K10 diesel has eagle 16" aluminum alloy wheels. I run 265/75R16 10 ply tires. They look great on the truck. My problem is my slide-in camper. It weighs 1100 lbs. The truck can handle the weight fine with the 3/4 ton springs front and rear. It is the thicker alloy wheels that bother me. The wheel nuts catch 1/2 inch of threads max. Maybe a 1/2 inch is fine. I don't know. I think steel wheels would be thinner and stronger giving me more thread depth on the wheel nuts. I don't know what came stock on 85 K10's. Can't seem to find a definitive answer. Does anyone have any experience with campers and wheel selection? Am I worried about nothing ? Any info or thoughts would be much appreciated .

Steel wheels will not be stronger, but they will be cheaper.

Next time you see a heavy truck or tri-axle gravel truck go down the road, have a look at the wheels. Aluminum is lighter, which helps with the weight of the truck, and in no way are they weaker,