To all owners of 19.5" steel Rickson wheels

[JGrammatico]

I was told by a salesman of a Southern California RV dealer/store that 19. 5" steel Rickson wheels are too heavy for light trucks and that they cause premature brake wear. Now his truck (Newer Chevy) had 19. 5 Rickson alloy wheels (not sure if forged or cast). The conversation began when I complimented him on his wheel choice. Now I would assume that the steel wheels are a better seller due to price and the lack of availability of the forged wheels. I wanted to hear from guys that are actually running the steel wheels on their Dodge trucks. Was this guy trying to blow smoke up my or was he over exagerrating things.



Thanks

 

[DHayden]

I think "too heavy" is a miss leading term. They are "heavier" and have more weight and rotating mass thus will take more force/energy to bring to a stop. I have EGR brakes and use downshifting and Exhaust brake to slow down so I dont see a big difference in brake wear although I am sure it is more than if I had stock wheels.

 

[GPangrle]

19/5 & brakes

I've had 19. 5s for almost 10 years and don't notice any change in braking. I like the safety margin of 16 ply tires with Illinois pot hole roads.

 

[bigdaddydieseldan]

I've been running my 19. 5's for three years and no problems as far as excessive brake wear what's so ever in other words he is blowing smoke up your hiney hole :-laf:-laf:-laf

after all he drives a chevy I would never listen to anyone who drives or owns an inferior vehicle to a DODGE

 

[JGrammatico]

lol... thanks for the insightful and colorful replys guys. I guess I should have known the answer myself. He did not know which truck to buy so how would he know about wheels. hehe.

 

[Cattletrkr]

I heard about the increased braking distance before I bought mine. I have the 6. 75 steel dually rims that weigh about 60lbs each. The braking difference was niticeable. Like mentioned above, I also have an exhaust brake and I set my trailer brakes to do most of the work anyway so it wasn't a big deal at all. Front pads still went to 182K, only getting replaced 'cause a wheel bearing went out.

I did have 2 sets of front axle joints and 1 set of ball joints go out in 209K. I don't think I'd call that excessive compared to other Dodges running stock rims though.