Wheels: Aluminum or Steel

[Watt]

For Seneca owners; I know the outer dual wheel is aluminum, but is that also true for the inner dual on the 2015 Seneca. They appear to be as they don't appear to be painted.

[Zinkow]

I don't know about '15 wheels, but all 6 of my '14 wheels are aluminum.

[Doormandan]

My 14 has all alum rims.

[Watt]

Thanks.

[gijoecam]

I can't imagine anyone in their right mind would put a steel and aluminum rim together... That's galvanic corrosion in the making!

[richard66]

My 14 has all aluminum wheels

[Doormandan]

Originally Posted by gijoecam

I can't imagine anyone in their right mind would put a steel and aluminum rim together... That's galvanic corrosion in the making!

I get you point but there are tens of thousands of rigs on the road with steel inner wheels on the rear axels. If I had to guess the Seneca uses alum rims on the inside to save the weight.

[Wertles]

Most inner duallys are steel for cost saving and that they are thinner than aluminum wheels. When rotating, the inner wheels usually only go side to side on the rear. If the Seneca has 6 aluminum wheels, it is not for weight savings.

I have 4 aluminum wheels that I am redoing to replace the steel ones on my Greyhawk. I will definitely be keeping the inner steel wheels. I'm not sure if I would have to replace studs for longer ones if I went with 6 aluminum ones. I haven't measured.

As for the two dissimilar metals, it's a non issue. Every aluminum wheel is bolted to a steel hub. It makes no difference if it's a steel hub or steel wheel it's bolted to.

[Watt]

I checked with Jayco Customer Sevice and was told the 2015 Seneca has aluminum outer and steel inner duallys.

[busguy]

Originally Posted by Wertles

As for the two dissimilar metals, it's a non issue. Every aluminum wheel is bolted to a steel hub. It makes no difference if it's a steel hub or steel wheel it's bolted to.

A lot of commercial operators will use a spacer between the hub and the rim (front) or between two rims (rear) like one of these :

Amazon.com: Accuride Wheel-Guard Separator Plate 10 hole 285.75mm: Automotive

If we had Aluminum wheels on our Greyhawk we would definitely be using them.

[Wertles]

That specifically states not to be used between the wheel and the hub, just between the duallys. What do you think the inner aluminum wheels on the Seneca are touching right now? I have worked on more than my fair share of duallys with aluminum and steel wheels. I have never seen one of those for corrosion problems. I have seen spacers between the rears so that you can run wider tires and not rub.

There isn't one car manufacturer that runs any sort of protection between their aluminum wheels and steel hubs.

[busguy]

Originally Posted by Wertles

That specifically states not to be used between the wheel and the hub, just between the duallys.

You might want to read that again. It says to be used between "hub and wheel" (ie. on the front or on the inner rear) or between two wheels. It says to NOT be used between the hub and the BRAKE DRUM which makes sense.

Originally Posted by Wertles

What do you think the inner aluminum wheels on the Seneca are touching right now?

Can't really say since I don't own one but I'm assuming the hub (hopefully with a spacer if it's actually an aluminum wheel rather than a steel one).


The point is that if someone is concerned with putting an Aluminum and Steel wheel together they can use these. We (Bus Company) did as did many commercial transport companies according to our tire guys.

If you're someone that isn't concerned then you obviously wouldn't bother.