Steel V's Alloy

[60HAM]

Hey All,

I want to open a can of worms and ask whats people's opinion on have alloy or steel wheels as spares?

I'm planning a 3 week drive holiday out west somewhere (cameron's corner, birdsville, etc) and am going to take 2 spare wheels. Do i use the stardard 18" wheels from my sr5 with matching diameter tyres, or do i get my hands on some steel 17" SR wheels?

Cheers
Mike.

[0urlux]

I would probably go for matching 18" wheels as you already have them on your SR5, that way when you do have a flat tyre the car is even all round.
I have on my new 2016 SR steel rims all round and I believe they are much stronger than alloy rims personaly.
You can check out on browes sheds if you like....
Have fun at birdsville.

[Jacko9]

I'd doesn't matter about the size of the rims IMO as long as the offset is th same, I'd be more concerned about ensuring the rolling diameter and width of the tyres being the same.

I'm probably guessing the 18's will be a little rougher than a smaller diameter rim..

[aandy]

I would try get a couple more the same as your genuine ones, I have 6 genuine 2012 sr5 rims that I rotate to keep the tyres fresh and even.

I bought a set of 4 and sold two individually, ended up costing bugger all.

[Rocket55]

Heres a couple of threads on this topic already, have a read

viewtopic.php?f=27&t=8431&hilit=rims

viewtopic.php?t=17530

Biggest thing to consider is trying to buy 18" tyres in remote areas. Stick with 16" at worst 17".

[aandy]

[60HAM]

That is one thing i really am considering is the availability of 18" tyres out west. Might sway the vote on that one.

Also, whats the opinion on strength of alloy wheels v's steel wheels?
Maybe that arguement is moot if i am just going to go with 17's?

[aandy]

That is one thing i really am considering is the availability of 18" tyres out west. Might sway the vote on that one.

Also, whats the opinion on strength of alloy wheels v's steel wheels?
Maybe that arguement is moot if i am just going to go with 17's?

Hilux, prado and lancruiser all come with 18" wheels, availability will only get better.

I wouldn't be concerned about the strength of genuine alloy wheels, plenty of alloy wheels have done the most brutal tracks in Aus.

Off road performance would be my biggest concern, once deflated to 12 psi in soft sand there wouldn't much sidewall left if you hit a rock etc.

[07luxyTD]

Stregnth shouldn't be a concern. Check your wheel nuts every second morning with a torque wrench and that will solve the main drama with an ally rim. Once a nut is loose on ally it distorts the taper and just gets worse. I learnt the hard way up cape when my rear wheel decided to overtake me at 100km/h snapped 2 studs and bent 3 (landcruiser) checked the rest of my nuts and majority weren't firm.

Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk

[Jacko9]

That is one thing i really am considering is the availability of 18" tyres out west. Might sway the vote on that one.

Also, whats the opinion on strength of alloy wheels v's steel wheels?
Maybe that arguement is moot if i am just going to go with 17's?

Hilux, prado and lancruiser all come with 18" wheels, availability will only get better.

I wouldn't be concerned about the strength of genuine alloy wheels, plenty of alloy wheels have done the most brutal tracks in Aus.

Off road performance would be my biggest concern, once deflated to 12 psi in soft sand there wouldn't much sidewall left if you hit a rock etc.

Yeah this, its almost easier to get 17's than 16's at my local tyre shop in the middle of nowhere these days. Thats not really a huge concern, its just going to be rougher and less sidewall as stated.

[60HAM]

Thanks all for their opinions.

Logically it seems to me that'd be the best option to go to 17's for any long trips away, with matching spare tyres.

Maybe i just use my factory 18's and run some aggressive muddies for any local trips ??