2022 RAM 5500 Composite "Super Camper"
- Thread starter StenchRV
- Start date
mk216v
Der Chef der Fahrzeuge
Six can’t air down much when needed.
mk216v
Der Chef der Fahrzeuge
Copy thx. I expect to need to go down to 15psi in some sand.
Avoid Stazworks and Daniel Little/DBL. You can read for an eternity the headaches those two companies have caused hundreds of people, on multiple boards/forums. I am certain there are other clowns out there, so do your research before you take 5k - 7k out of your wallet. I know several people who did not and got burned years ago.
Buy military surplus wheels and have them reconditioned, shaved, painted or whatever your heart desires or buy from Hutchinson. JMHO
I think Ward laughed at me, but having heavy/large wheels and tires shaved and really well balanced makes all the difference in the world. A friend of mine shaved a set of 44" Boggers years ago and man those tires were smooth on the road afterwards.
Buy military surplus wheels and have them reconditioned, shaved, painted or whatever your heart desires or buy from Hutchinson. JMHO
I think Ward laughed at me, but having heavy/large wheels and tires shaved and really well balanced makes all the difference in the world. A friend of mine shaved a set of 44" Boggers years ago and man those tires were smooth on the road afterwards.
StenchRV
Well-known member
WELL SAID! Thanks for the information. After 3 weeks of research and talking with various different wheel owners and companies I think I have it narrowed down. I called Hutchinson myself to get distributor information. Later I talked with Justin Wehring on the phone. GREAT guy and was not a hard sell. Justin had Hutchison make him a one piece wheel also. I am leaning HEAVILY towards the same Hutchinson wheel Earthroamer and ADV uses. I have a wheel quote already just waiting on shipping quote.
https://www.hutchinsoninc.com/emergency-vehicles/
CHEERS!
RAM5500 CAMPERTHING
OG Portal Member #183
Or…
Put the Michelins on the current wheels and see if they’re any better than the MPT. Then if so, get new wheels. Would be quite a bit of coin to possibly be right back where ya started if the Michelins suck
My .02
Put the Michelins on the current wheels and see if they’re any better than the MPT. Then if so, get new wheels. Would be quite a bit of coin to possibly be right back where ya started if the Michelins suck
My .02
StenchRV
Well-known member
That was our original plan, for the last 6 months. That is why we decided to wear out the Conti's.
Things changed on my end and after my experience with the Buckstop steel rims, they are coming off the rig.
More on that later on this forum.
We have decided no matter what there will be a change. Plus I do not want to mount, balance, run, unmount, remount rebalance my Michelins. JUST ME! I GET IT! $$$ I promise to still have good Whiskey and good beer at our next meet up! LOL !
Either a 1 piece aluminum, NOT for weight savings, you are right on that one for sure, or a multi piece wheel. EITHER will be the absolute BEST product we can find.
CHEERS!!
StenchRV
Well-known member
Trigger pulled! 5 New 3 piece Hutchinson beadlock wheels ship Monday morning to us. I will mount the new Michelin tires on the wheels myself and then have them dynamically balanced at a tire shop I trust and have used for years. I tried to save a little money the first time, it cost me in the end. Good news is we needed new tires anyway before our next big trip. If the stars align next spring, 5 months and 12,000 miles! A few winter projects to complete and Snowball will be ready to roll....LOL
CHEERS!!
CHEERS!!
FYI - The Hutchinson beadlock wheels are ~40lbs heavier per wheel than the Wehring Hutchinson wheels. Would really like to hear how the xzl’s drive. 🚛 Our mpt’s drive very smooth, but always like to hear what others think of their experiences. Have considered the Petla’s, but they are ~40 lbs heavier than the mpt/xzl, and the msa’s weight rating is too small for our rig (unless we goto 365-series).
If you ever drive thru Reno/North-NV, send us a message. 🤙
DirtWhiskey
Western Dirt Rat
Stench, I have some Buckstop steelies and would love to hear your feedback on them when you're ready. Seem fine to me but heavy suckers.
Next buy will be Justin's one piece rims. I'll just suck it up and pay for the real thing. His larger Centramatics have been a godsend on my MPT setup. Great guy who doesn't mince words either.
StenchRV
Well-known member
First..this was never a weight thing for us, PLENTY to spare. If we were to purchase a one piece wheel Justin's are top shelf stuff!
The 40 LBS you discuss comes in two places, yes I weigh everything, 31 LB beadlock insert (one of the main reasons we chose this wheel) and a 16 LB aluminum adapter plate. The Hutchinson multi piece wheels are very well made. I talked with Justin Wehring, after Hutchinson customer service gave me his number as a distributor, SUPER nice guy and VERY helpful.
The Michelin tires are about 10 LB heavier than the Continentals, worth every pound! They balanced out SO MUCH better than the old setup. I also needed the weight rating on my rear axle, we run about 12K LB on it fully loaded for a month long trip. We looked at various options and Petlas was one of them.
If I am ever in your neck of the woods I will look you up for sure. Always up for a meetup and shop talk!
If anyone is ever south of Atlanta Georgia, and needs a place to park with power and water, the beer is cold and the shop is open!
31 LB of solid rubber.
Rear adapter plate.
Ready for the trailer run to the balance shop I assembled all the wheels by hand myself, no power tools during assembly! Pretty simple, just time consuming. Will be much faster and easier next time. The first wheel is the spare, so no adapter plate.
CHEERS!!