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Topic: Alcoa Wheels w/Dura-Bright (Read 474 times) previous topic - next topic

Alcoa Wheels w/Dura-Bright

Does anyone know if the Dura-Bright coating is on both sides of the wheel? The reason I ask is I was thinking I might start replacing the front tires every 2 years and moving the front tires back to the other position and this would require turning the tires around in some positions. If the tires have to be remounted this may not be feasible. Has anyone tried this?
Brad & Melanie
2003 U320 3820 1st timer
'97 TJ and/or '85 CJ7

Re: Alcoa Wheels w/Dura-Bright

Reply #1 –
Memory from long ago is that the PN stamped into the wheel is different depending on what is shiny/Dura-Bright.

Of course, a quick visual check would also tell you.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Alcoa Wheels w/Dura-Bright

Reply #2 –
Quote from: ifixboats –
Does anyone know if the Dura-Bright coating is on both sides of the wheel?
Our wheels are polished (non coated) so I can't answer your question, but here is a link to a prior discussion of the Alcoa coated wheels, FWIW:

Polishing wheels

Alcoa Wheels | Dura-Bright® EVO Surface Treatments | Alcoa Wheels

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Alcoa Wheels w/Dura-Bright

Reply #3 –
Good question, does your coach have steel wheel on the inside dual ?
If that's the case then maybe wheels can be ordered with the coating on one side or the other to save costs either way I'd be more concerned about put two tire on the back that have very different wear than the two pairs of matching rear tires.
Just a thought.
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: Alcoa Wheels w/Dura-Bright

Reply #4 –
Brad, the concern for two different wear tires on the rear applies to the drive axle.  The tag tires you have are independent of each other.  Prevost uses the steer side on its tags which makes moving one to the front no issue.  Wish Foretravel did also.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: Alcoa Wheels w/Dura-Bright

Reply #5 –
Don't bother rotating motorhome tires. All aluminum wheels are shiny on only one side and inner dual is likely steel, not aluminum.

Dismounting tires, without without balancing is probably asking for trouble, like over tightened or loose lug nuts, leaks. These tires do not wear out, they age out.

You are lucky if your tires were correctly mounted, leave well enough alone.

Re: Alcoa Wheels w/Dura-Bright

Reply #6 –
Thanks for all the input. My main objective is to have relatively new, 2 years or less, tires on the front with the others being no more than 8 years old. I hadn't thought about the inside dual being steel. Just confirmed it is steel with a magnet. That with the fact that  they are not polished on both sides, means my idea is not feasible. Probably why I haven't seen anybody else doing it. The information I get on here is amazing. I find nearly all my questions just by searching previous post. Thanks again to all!
Brad & Melanie
2003 U320 3820 1st timer
'97 TJ and/or '85 CJ7

Re: Alcoa Wheels w/Dura-Bright

Reply #7 –
I thought all the 320's had 6 aluminum wheels. My coach has 6 but only the outer rears and fronts are polished.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Alcoa Wheels w/Dura-Bright

Reply #8 –
It's also very important that both tires on a dual axle end have the same wear-down.  Too great a difference between overall tire diameter causes the less-worn one to bear more of the load than if both were matched.  That decreases tire life.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Alcoa Wheels w/Dura-Bright

Reply #9 –
Quote from: craneman –
I thought all the 320's had 6 aluminum wheels. My coach has 6 but only the outer rears and fronts are polished.

Ours didn't.  Inner duals were steel.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Alcoa Wheels w/Dura-Bright

Reply #10 –
Must have changed after out '99

1999  Foretravel U320  Specifications
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Alcoa Wheels w/Dura-Bright

Reply #11 –
Quote from: craneman –
I thought all the 320's had 6 aluminum wheels. My coach has 6 but only the outer rears and fronts are polished.
My 2000 had 6 aluminum wheels my 2003 has 6 aluminum and 2 steel on the inner duals



Keith
The selected media item is not currently available.Keith & Jo
2003 U320T 4025 PBBS Designer series
Build 6203    Cummins 500hp
2000 U320 4010 WTFE / Build 5762 —Sold—
Motorcade #18070   
Pasadena, Texas
2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara-Sunset Orange pearl coat
Don't argue with a fool, people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

Re: Alcoa Wheels w/Dura-Bright

Reply #12 –
My coach has 6 aluminum wheels also.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Alcoa Wheels w/Dura-Bright

Reply #13 –
My 2001 coach had steel rear inners.  All 4 OEM Alcoa Durabrites were trashed by tire shop tech (Les Schwab) when I bought the coach in '19, and they replaced the Alcoas with polished.  I tried to find Alcoa Durabrites this last week to replace the steel inners, and Alcoa Durabrites seem to be currently unobtanium again.  Went with polished vs. a non-Alcoa brand.  JWID.  I have lots of polish.  Yay.
2001 4010 U320 build #5865 "Bluto-d-Bus" since 09/18
2006 Honda Element ESP Toad
Full timing since 2016 in Western MT
Copilot: Sitka
1975 GMC 260 Avion: sold

Re: Alcoa Wheels w/Dura-Bright

Reply #14 –
Per the information I gathered here I ordered and have received 8 new Michelins 275/80R22.5 X LEZ LRH from  NATIONAL TIRE CONCIERGE SERVICES NTCS, David and Wendy Ward. Phone:  (w) 321-747-8465  &    (d)  321-607-2265. they were easy to work with and best price I found, $656. I tried FMCA but they were higher and their process was complicated and I didn't receive much help when I tried to call.
Brad & Melanie
2003 U320 3820 1st timer
'97 TJ and/or '85 CJ7