What rims on 2000 Freightliner FLD, aluminum or steel

I prefer aluminum to steel.

However when running heavy, as in really heavy steel is appropriate. But it's very bad to put on a tractor trailer that hauls nothing. Its enough weight to really cause a change in driving.

If you did go Aluminum, they will hold up ok and you will find that your rig will be lightfooted. It would be the difference between being overaxle on a load or not sometimes.

Powder coated steel is the one way to keep them nice. You cannot have two metals different making direct contact. Sort of like cheap tin ram modules into Gold sockets on a motherboard inside a computer. It will literally kill itself over a long enough time.

Aluminum tends to not take a beating well so there is that to think about. However ive taken both steel and aluminum rigs into variety of places without too much trouble. The aluminum is the better performer by far. Make sure you don't cover those wheels up like some of the megas do now. You want that airflow through all of them.

 

according to the Accuride catalog
22.5X8.25 aluminum wheels are 40# to 54# each depending on load rating

22.5X8.25 steel wheels are 67# to 79# each depending on load rating

that is a maximum weight saving of 270# for the tractor

 

Thank you kindly. That's worth some fuel. Or a second team driver etc. Or something else like a kit box with tools like I had on my daycab CL Mack (Or CH I forget, this goes to about 1994)

I still remain with the experience that aluminum wheeled trucks are more light on the feet and are easier to take around at will than the heavier more concrete overshoe'd steel wheels.

 

I have never had an aluminium wheel break but I have had 5 steel wheels break over the years. all the tests I have seen show that steel wheels flex more and weaken at the centre.I will never again mix aluminium and steel, you will get weird tire wear as the wheels have different flex characteristics.. Used wheels are ok, just watch the stud holes and the pilot hole for wear, A loose aluminium wheel self destructs quickly with a loose wheel nut.