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SteveS

Member Since: 05 Oct 2010
Location: Devon & Berkshire
Posts: 388

2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black

Steel vs Alloy: Urban Myth or based on hard evidence?

There's been a lot written as far as I can see on the merits of steel wheels versus alloy when overlanding. Usually this comes down to the stated ability of being able to straighten a steel wheel in a bush workshop and the alloys being less resilient to a major ding. I'm currently running 285/75/16s x8 on CW heavy duty alloy wheels and am thinking about buying a second set of wheels so that I can have a set of MT and ATs on each (or just another spare and just sticking to the alloys). So simply:

1 - does anyone know from experience of where a steel wheel was dinged AND repaired in the field or
2 - where a HD alloy was dinged and failed in the field?

What I'm trying to understand is the likelihood of smashing and fixing a steel versus the likelihood of smashing and failing an alloy. I can understand the logic for steel but is it a realistic benefit?

I want to retain 285/75/16 on 8" width rims - and could retain the CWs for overlanding - but if I move to steel there appears to be little choice of 8" width rims with the right offset - except perhaps custom build or move down to 265/75/16 x7" width rims. Long term plans could take me to South America and Africa. I will be carrying 2 spares.

Any thoughts or experience on the above welcome.

17th Oct 2010 5:39pm

markalpha

Member Since: 23 Apr 2008
Location: Downham Market
Posts: 690

2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Santorini Black

Hit a rock with alloys on a D3, took a large chuck out of it, it still was ok to drive luckily but replaced with new wheel asap. Did same on steel wheel, which bent rim and reparied with a hammer. I should really look more at track than the view!!

17th Oct 2010 6:00pm

landy andy

Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5684

2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver

Mach fives are 8J and steel.

I smashed two boost wheels, they went in so far that they were rubbing the brake disc

But one chap in flip flops, sun glases, and gas bottles, all straight. Well enough to continue holiday, and get me home.

Andy

17th Oct 2010 6:59pm

landy andy

Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5684

Click image to enlarge

17th Oct 2010 7:08pm

AndrewS

Member Since: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Hereford
Posts: 3707

2013 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 SW Rimini Red

Four trips to Morocco which involved 2 comps. Challenge events and loads of 4x4 laneing and various events in the UK using new Land Rover Products. Never bent a rim. Check the terrain and drive accordingly simples

130's have feeling's as well you know

17th Oct 2010 7:17pm

RLD

Member Since: 29 Jun 2007
Location: Lancs
Posts: 858

4 tries to Morocco 1 to Poland 1 to Norway i to Coatia and all over England 140000 miles of every sort not bent a rim need to look at what you are doing

RLD fabricator of Hidden Winch Mount for D3/4 roof racks jerry can holders CB aerial mounts and much more and agent for Helsport Tents and gear

17th Oct 2010 7:32pm

landy andy

Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5684

Ok, to justify my above photo........

I was over taking a lorry in Morocco, when he decided that he did not want to be overtaken, and just shoved me towards the rock face, so there was not much I could do.

I have replaced with new alloys, as I don't plan a repeeat, and don't think steel would have been any better.

Andy

17th Oct 2010 7:56pm

AndrewS

Member Since: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Hereford
Posts: 3707

landy andy wrote:
Ok, to justify my above photo........

You dont need to do that Chap

130's have feeling's as well you know

17th Oct 2010 7:59pm

RLD

Member Since: 29 Jun 2007
Location: Lancs
Posts: 858

them Moroccans just know what you meen

RLD fabricator of Hidden Winch Mount for D3/4 roof racks jerry can holders CB aerial mounts and much more and agent for Helsport Tents and gear

17th Oct 2010 8:41pm

leeds

Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8580

Yes have bent a steel wheel. My error! Managed to get a replacement disco wheel as a spare for the 110

On my travels normally carry two spare tyres/rims plus a couple of inner tubes.

One thing you want to consider is ease of replacing a tyre whilst on your travels. Took a week for me to get a replacement tyre and it had to come over a 1000+ miles

We run on 255/85/R6 which is about 6mm taller and 30mm narrower then your 285.

For overlanding consider a good compressor possibly an engine compressor, tyre repair kit etc.

HTH

Brendan

17th Oct 2010 9:16pm

KarlB

Member Since: 08 Feb 2010
Location: Canberra
Posts: 91

2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Rimini Red

Another argument re steel vs alloy rims is that tyres may be eaier to change on steel rims.

Cheers
KarlB

18th Oct 2010 4:11am

ken

Member Since: 18 Aug 2009
Location: Banging Birds with my bitches !!
Posts: 4328

Wot he said

a 285 KO/KM2 will flop easily on to a 8J modular rim with little effort nice easy field beer oclock change

18th Oct 2010 5:59am

AndrewS

Member Since: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Hereford
Posts: 3707

Not much difference between ally or steel when changing a tyre in the field. if you carry the kit to do the job

Having said that the 18" Mach5s with Cooper STT are the easiest to remove/replace you could do this with a T spoon.

I have one of these and a couple of good tyre leavers. Even 19" MTR's dont pose a problem.

Click image to enlarge 130's have feeling's as well you know

18th Oct 2010 6:08am

ken

Member Since: 18 Aug 2009
Location: Banging Birds with my bitches !!
Posts: 4328

I heard Carl has a proven tyre demounting method

18th Oct 2010 7:57am

AndrewS

Member Since: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Hereford
Posts: 3707

Yep

as mentioned the Mach5s are easy change a tyre on, there ain't much of a bead. In fact 9 times out of 10 all you have to do is deflate the tyre lay the wheel/tyre down and jump on the side wall

130's have feeling's as well you know

18th Oct 2010 9:50am

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